The last St. Hilda’s Garage Sale Giveaway

Posted on May 12, 2012 by David

Every year St. Hilda’s Anglican Church, ANiC has a garage sale where all the items are free. It is an outreach to the community to illustrate the love, grace and salvation of God which is offered to us free through Jesus Christ.

This year was a little different because it was our last Garage Sale Giveaway before we have to relinquish our building to the Diocese of Niagara. This was a week of “last times”, since Friday was also the last Freebie Friday, a St. Hilda’s outreach to a local high school which will cease when we move.

This year, in addition to handing out our usual card, the following was distributed:

We are moving!

Years ago when I was ministering at my first church in Quebec I walked over to my office and noticed a “For Sale” sign placed on the lawn of the church. A local prankster thought it would be a good joke. In our newsletter I used that situation as a eye catching title: CHURCH FOR SALE! I then spoke about ministry etc. I never would have thought that years later I would be facing the real thing.

After 53 years on Rebecca Street we are losing our beloved St. Hilda’s Church building.

We live in a world and a culture where many foundational Christian beliefs are currently under attack. This is experienced even within the church itself. The main issue is the blurring and compromise of the good news of Jesus Christ and the elevation of the authority of church leadership over the authority of the Bible. As a consequence, many churches find themselves within a structure that compromises their conscience. This was our case. The result was after a long dispute with our former leadership we find ourselves homeless, but not church-less. We the people are His church.

We remain in communion with the greater part of the worldwide Anglican Church through the auspices of the Anglican Network in Canada. This being said, we will begin a new chapter of our church history when we start using the facility at the Knights of Columbus Rental Hall on Wallace Road near the intersection of Speers Road and Third Line. Our first celebration is on May 27th. And thereafter at 10:30 am on Sunday mornings.

We as a congregation will, with God’s help, continue to show the surpassing worth of Jesus Christ, continuing with all our ministries, preaching and teaching the Gospel and sharing the love of God in our community.

Pastor Paul Charbonneau

St. Hilda’s Church

Here are some photos; for all of them, go here:

Oakville Beaver advertises St. Hilda’s Garage Sale Giveaway

Posted on May 11, 2012 by David

But not quite as we had hoped. This is what the paper printed:

St. Hilda’s giving goods away free

For the sixth year, the congregation at St. Hilda’s Anglican Church is truly giving back to the community with its Garage Giveaway.

The sale is Saturday (May 12).

“This year’s Garage Giveaway is extra special because it will be our last at this location,” event co-ordinator Judy Watson stated in a press release. “After 53 years… we have been truly blessed to celebrate our worship, fellowship and community outreach here.”

The last service for St. Hilda’s congregation will take place Sunday, May 27.

Rain or shine, the garage sale will run from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Items such as clothes, books, toys, and furniture will be given free of charge to those in need.

While the church does make the sale known to local groups, such as Kerr Street Ministries, Food for Life and the Halton Multicultural Council, no one is turned away from the event.

Members of the congregation also have an opportunity to share conversation over coffee at the event and a prayer tent will also be made available.

And this is what was submitted to the paper. What has been omitted are references to icky things like God, his love and why we do it. Also notable for its absence is: “After 53 years we are being forced to leave our church home.” It must be a coincidence that the Diocese of Niagara pays to advertise in the Oakville Beaver.

ST. HILDA’S GARAGE GIVEAWAY 2012 MAY BE THE LAST

For the sixth consecutive year, the congregational family at St. Hilda’s Anglican Church is reaching out to give back to the community with its “GARAGE GIVEAWAY”. This event has become an annual tradition, eagerly awaited by both the congregation and the people of Oakville. Essentially a garage sale where EVERYTHING IS FREE, this year’s event will happen Saturday, May 12.

“The Lord calls us to freely give, and so we want to share His blessings and love in a tangible way with our community”, explains Pastor Paul Charbonneau. “Members of our congregation are blessed in return by helping to meet the needs of those who come. It is a time to share conversation over coffee and treats, pray with “shoppers” in the prayer tent and watch little ones while parents browse. Others help to load cars and even deliver some larger items to people’s homes.”

While the church prays that those who have need will be led to this event, no one is turned away. “We ask only that people enjoy and use the items they take away with them,” says event coordinator Judy Watson. “This year’s Garage Giveaway is extra special because it will be our last at this location, perhaps our last for a long time. After 53 years we are being forced to leave our church home. We have been truly blessed to celebrate our worship, fellowship and community outreach here at 1258 Rebecca St. Our last service is May 27^th and then we must vacate the premises. We hope that the Lord will lead us to a new home where we can continue to offer the Garage Giveaway to the community”

Over the years, many in the community have begun to look forward to this annual event. “We get calls from people each spring, asking what the date will be,” says Pastor Paul. “Still others call to offer whatever help they can give. Last year’s article in the Oakville Beaver resulted in a number of people calling to offer items to give away. Everything is greatly appreciated.”

Rain or shine, the members of St. Hilda’s will be ready to greet everyone on Saturday, May 12 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m… Everything, from clothes, to books, to toys, to furniture will be ready and waiting to be taken home for FREE by those who have need.