A selection of local, handmade crafts that will be for sale at the Methodist church’s craft fair.

BETHEL — What can be organized in just two weeks if you really put your mind to it?

A craft fair at the Methodist church on Saturday, Nov. 16, which will feature local crafters with handmade goods. There will also be food sold at the event – entirely homemade. This is the Church’s first time hosting a craft fair. ‘

This event was organized entirely by Linda Howe, the church’s minister,  who has put the entire thing together with only two weeks of work after the idea was first proposed. She supports the Church engaging with the community, saying that “church is more than just Sunday.”

This year, the Methodist church joins in the tradition of a yearly craft fair. The church has worked in tandem with a Saturday market before. However, Howe, was approached by Carina Walter, one of the crafters from the Saturday market. She suggested the idea of doing a craft fair at the Methodist church, with local goods made by hand.

“We decided to go for it,” said Howe. She believes that a craft fair keeps well with the spirit of the Methodist church. “Traditionally the Methodist church has always had women who knit and craft,” she said. Crafting is also a good source of revenue for the church. “you can’t expect all your income to come in on Sunday. The Methodist community has always been using their hands to make funds.”

Howe described the choice to host a craft fair as a decision to “join forces with folks in the community.”

She describes the Methodist church as a “church who opens our doors to the community.” She also acknowledges that this could be a good experience moving forwards, looking to the possibility of more events like this. “In the first run with a new event, you always learn from it.”