Saturday last, in Ann Arbor, Michigan gathered nearly ninety members of Friends of the Creche for our annual meeting. This event in the off- convention years has been an opportunity to have a mini-convention of sort surrounding our by- law required once each year business meeting. Our hosts were Betsy Christensen and Shirley Thornton who planned a wonderful day of talks, exhibits, opportunities to purchase Creches from 10,000 Villages, the Hamtramck Art Center and the Mission Market Place. There was also lots of food for the body and soul.
Our morning speaker, Garrick Hyde, of South Jordan, Utah, gave a truly inspiring presentation about he and his family's work in obtaining hand- crafted creches from China, Africa and other developing nations in order to provide a life of dignity for the artists that make them. Garrick and his family project has grown from a few sales to over a thousand in just a few years. Those who purchased some of the nativities he had brought along also received the crayon-written, thank you note from his daughter that comes with all purchases. I guess if I had to summarize Mr. Hyde's talk to us it would be to paraphrase the quote he made to his daughter when she inquired as to how long the family would be doing this project. His answer," as long as there are the poor."
After a great lunch of salads, wraps and pastries, the business meeting was called to order by President, Mike Whalen. I can report that our treasurer assured us we are "in the black" and we currently have just over four hundred active members. The Utah team presented the plans for our convention in Salt Lake next November. If the star- shaped cookies distributed to all are any indication of the "good things" to come in Salt Lake, we should all start packing our bags now.
Following the business meeting, Carolyn Meleski and Tony Wachocki of the Friends of Polish Art presented the history of the Polish Szopki or foil churches and information about the competitions in Poland and the local one held in Detroit each year. Tony's wit kept everyone laughing and a perfect way to end the day.
Door prizes of presepio mugs, nativity stockings ,CDs and other creche type gifts were awarded to nearly sixty members present.
In addition to the little box nativity found in every ones bag, the ornament from China given by Garrick Hyde and the infant Jesus egg given by our hosts found at every one's lunch plate, everyone also took home a blue oven mitt as a remembrance of Michigan and a star on it representing Ann Arbor. We hope that the blue oven mitt will not only remind everyone to "Follow His Star" to Utah next November, but that every time we use it, we will be reminded that Friends of the Creche are people who share the warmth of Christ's birth and Christmas everyday.
Our morning speaker, Garrick Hyde, of South Jordan, Utah, gave a truly inspiring presentation about he and his family's work in obtaining hand- crafted creches from China, Africa and other developing nations in order to provide a life of dignity for the artists that make them. Garrick and his family project has grown from a few sales to over a thousand in just a few years. Those who purchased some of the nativities he had brought along also received the crayon-written, thank you note from his daughter that comes with all purchases. I guess if I had to summarize Mr. Hyde's talk to us it would be to paraphrase the quote he made to his daughter when she inquired as to how long the family would be doing this project. His answer," as long as there are the poor."
After a great lunch of salads, wraps and pastries, the business meeting was called to order by President, Mike Whalen. I can report that our treasurer assured us we are "in the black" and we currently have just over four hundred active members. The Utah team presented the plans for our convention in Salt Lake next November. If the star- shaped cookies distributed to all are any indication of the "good things" to come in Salt Lake, we should all start packing our bags now.
Following the business meeting, Carolyn Meleski and Tony Wachocki of the Friends of Polish Art presented the history of the Polish Szopki or foil churches and information about the competitions in Poland and the local one held in Detroit each year. Tony's wit kept everyone laughing and a perfect way to end the day.
Door prizes of presepio mugs, nativity stockings ,CDs and other creche type gifts were awarded to nearly sixty members present.
In addition to the little box nativity found in every ones bag, the ornament from China given by Garrick Hyde and the infant Jesus egg given by our hosts found at every one's lunch plate, everyone also took home a blue oven mitt as a remembrance of Michigan and a star on it representing Ann Arbor. We hope that the blue oven mitt will not only remind everyone to "Follow His Star" to Utah next November, but that every time we use it, we will be reminded that Friends of the Creche are people who share the warmth of Christ's birth and Christmas everyday.
posted by Mike Whalen at 9:48 AM
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