The little congregation that could

“It’s a small congregation with a lot of determination and hard work,” she says.

She continues. “It started last March at a church meeting. We have a leaky roof and it’s now leaking in about eight places. This winter our alter sunk about eight inches, which added an extra umph in needing to get the roof fixed.”

However, she admits, the pricetag seemed “daunting.”

She says they moved forward and raised about $15,000 last year through variety shows, yard sales, bake sales, community dinners and an auction of donated goods last Sept., to name just a few examples.

She said the community at large joined in the effort as did summer residents and even tourists, adding numerous entertainers donated their time and talents as well for the shows.

Many of the same events will be held this year, including the auction as well as a July haddock supper.

They are also selling bird nest whisks that are adorned with handcrafted little birdhouses and stuffed with pieces of yarn birds will pull out to help build their nests.

They made over 200 and hope to sell them at Liverpool Atlantic Superstore, Sobeys and other places.

In fact, Griffin brought 50 to Alaska and Phoenix while on vacation, “and sold them all.”

She laughs. “A teacher in Alaska said she wanted to sell them to raise money for her school. I said that’s fine. I stole the idea from the Anglicans.”

Personally, she says she loves the church for two reasons, one being spiritual in nature and the other the building itself.

“The church was built in 1843. That steeple is the centre of Port Medway. It’s part of our village, our community. I don’t want to see it rotten and falling down. That’s what drives me to fundraise.”

In addition, she says, “We want to help keep the doors of the church open to give refuge and hope when people are in need. If there’s no door open to hope, there is no hope.”

Contact Griffin at 677-2699 or Susan Chouinard at 677-2880 to donate auction items, or for more information.