Small Bake Sale Makes Big Impact on the Community
Conway Church Raises Dough and Awareness
 How does a small congregation in a town of less than 2,000 people show God is Still Speaking?
Four active church members made it their mission to do just that and formed a task force dedicated to fellowship and fundraising. They decided one way to reach out to their small town was to hold a bake sale.
"It's not a unique idea, but we hoped to show a community presence and raise awareness," said the Rev. Dr. Candi Ashenden, pastor of the 50-member United Congregational Church, UCC, in Conway. "But it turned out to be an astounding event."
About 10 members donated pies and freshly baked bread for a Saturday morning bake sale. Then the task force set up a tent and offered the baked goods and hot chocolate to passers-by. Unlike most UCC churches in Massachusetts, this church -- that lies in the foothills of the Berkshires -- was not in the center of town. One would think that would be a problem for establishing a community presence. It wasn't. The church happened to be on the main road to the town dump -- the road most of the community traveled every Saturday. Another potential obstacle arose: it rained the day of the event.
But neither rain, nor unusual location, nor small congregation would deter this church's mission. "The faithful crew stood under the tent, waving enthusiastically," said Ashenden. And people noticed. "We heard comments from visitors that our group seemed so happy and welcoming, that they felt they just had to stop." Susan Foley, a member of the task force, reported that they made $400 and lots of friends.
"We were so pleased with the results of the bake sale," said Ashenden, "that it inspired us to plan another one."
Indeed, they did hold a second bake sale. "It was chilly, but it didn't rain on us this time," said Ashenden. "This time even members of the community (not just church members) baked for us and everyone came out to support it. We made just under $600 in four hours! And we again made many friends and they all asked when we'd be out there again!"
"Many folks said they'd try to come to our craft fair because we will be featuring another bake table," she said. "It's really a wonderful thing."
The Conway congregation showed that God is Still Speaking -- and maybe waving -- in small towns throughout Massachusetts.
Share Your Still Speaking Story
 Tell us how God is speaking in and through your church. Have you reached out to the community in unique ways? Initiated a new mission project? Found a new way to minister to those within the congregation? Share your story and help us to spread the good news! Contact Marlene Gasdia-Cochrane, Editor, at cochranem@macucc.org.
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"Source: Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ, www.macucc.org/spotlight"
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