May 16, 2010
Reported by Chiou Kuo-rong
Written by Lydia Ma

Right after Sunday worship services ended on Mother's Day, Chi-Nan Presbyterian Church's patio was abuzz with chatter and activity. One could hear people calling out the names and prices of different items on sale – much like peddlers do when they pass by your neighborhood.

Chi-Nan Presbyterian Church has held a mini-fair every Mother's Day in recent years to raise funds for social organizations. Full proceeds from this year's fair will go to En-You Clinic.

En-You Clinic was established last year near Taipei Train Station to serve homeless people that frequent that area. Every patient that enters the clinic is financially poor and cannot afford to see a doctor, but those are precisely the people the clinic wants to serve.

According to Chi-Nan Presbyterian Church's deacon, Lin Shih-hong, the church's mini-fair is very much like a flea market. Every item on sale is second-hand, but still in very good condition.

Furthermore, not only does the mini-fair promote reusing resources and environmentalism, it also enables church members to do something tangible to demonstrate their love for their neighbors.

The mini-fair offers both short-run and long-run benefits for the church, said Lin. In the short- run, it increases interaction among church members as they plan for this event together. They also feel fulfilled and content after taking part in an event that supports organizations that assist less fortunate people.

In the long run, the mini-fair helps the church link up and partner with social organizations in advancing social justice, giving the church many opportunities to make Christ known, and bring glory to God.

Taiwan Church News