Alternative Gift Market
Try holiday shopping at a market that transforms lives.
The Alternative Gift Market allows you
to do holiday shopping that benefits others.
All of the proceeds support organizations
that promote human dignity and social justice.
The United Church of Chapel Hill designed the AGM to use the commerce of the holiday season as a tool for serving others.
This year, our Market is on:
Saturday, Nov 19, 9 am - 2 pm
Sunday, Nov 20, 10 am - 1 pm
GOD’S BIDDING 2011: The Alternative Market’s Online Auction
Website Now Open for Auction Preview!
Bidding Begins: 9:00 AM, November 19 ** Bidding Ends: 5:00 PM, December 4
FAQs
What is God’s Bidding?
"God's Bidding" is an online auction that allows you, your family and friends to bid on more than 70 generous donations from our congregation like vacation homes, soups, cookies, breads, computer help, handyman services, rides to the airport, an iPod, Tar Heel tickets, special dinners, lessons, services, collectibles and much more! You need look no further to find that special one-of-a-kind holiday gift!
Please send this auction information to your family, friends, and neighbors. Proceeds will support local (Inter-Faith for Social Services) and the Branko Pesic Primary School in Serbia (though Church World Service). See beloew for more information.
How do I access the auction?
Select: View an Auction and then enter the ID and Password as follows:
Auction ID: godsbidding2011
Auction Password: ifccws
Be sure to share this link with any friends, family or neighbors who you think may have interest!
When does the auction open?
We will open the site one week early, on Nov 11, for browsing purposes only. Bidding may begin promptly at 9:00 am on Nov. 19 to coincide with the opening of the Alternative Gift Market. Bidding will not close until Sunday, December 4 at 5:00 pm. During that period of time it will be always open and available.
Do I have to register?
You can browse the auction items anonymously without registering, but you will need to register to enter a bid.
This allows the auction administrator to know who is bidding, the site to contact you (by email) as soon as you are outbid on an item, and the administrator to know at the close of the auction who the highest bidders/winners are. When you register you can choose and auction ID for yourself, thus no one need know who they are bidding against.
May I see the items?
Items will be on display at United Church during the Alternative Market (Nov19-20) and again on Sundays, Nov 27 and Dec 4, during worship and church school hours.
If someone outbids me, will I know it without logging back into the 32auctions website?
Yes, when you register for bidding, you'll be asked for an email address. The site will automatically notify you if you are outbid, giving you the link to your item so that you may bid again.
What is proxy bidding?
Proxy bidding allows you to set a maximum bid for yourself that is not seen by others. If you have entered a proxy bid, the site will automatically continue to bid for you, increasing your bid over others by the established increment, up to the maximum bid amount that you have chosen.
Are items only available to members or friends of United Church?
Some items are restricted to members or friends of UCCH. Most are not. If restricted, it will say so in the item description.
May I still donate an item to the auction?
Yes! We’re always happy to add a new item to the auction…even after the auction bidding has opened.
This Year's Special Mission Goal
In partnership with CWS, United Church of Chapel Hill will help support the Branko Pesic Primary School in Serbia.
The conflict in Kosovo continues to do harm. While the war of another decade may be over, the vestiges of war and continuing ethnic strife has marginalized people of Roma ethnicity.
With homes burned and documentation taken away, many people are marginalized and living in what are often referred to as cardboard cities. In such situations there are children who have never been to school, teenagers who don’t know the alphabet. Working in partnership with others, Church World Service is seeking to assist with the education of children in Roma settlements through the Roma Children’s Education Program.
Special events include:
Serbian Dinner at United Church of Chapel Hill
to support the Branko Pesic Primary School
Saturday, November 12, 6:00 pm
Speaker from Church World Service
Adult Forum focused on the Branko Pesic Primary School
Sunday, November 13, 10:00 am
Speaker from Church World Service
Here's a sampling of other vendors and wares at the Market:
Our Children's Place - hats made by women in prison to support a place where children can live with their incarcerated mothers
Jill’s Jewels – second-hand jewelry, fine and otherwise, benefits Johnson Interns, a service program
One World Market - fair trade and handmade items from around the world
Art For A Cause – painting, photography, porcelain, weaving etc. by local artists
Canaan Fair Trade - selling middle Eastern Olive Oil, sundried tomatoes, cous-cous and other delectables to benefit Palestinian Peace causes.
Just Neem - selling handmade soap using oil from the Neem tree in Mauritania to benefit women of Mauritania
Jammin' for Africa - selling homemade scuppernong jams to support mission projects in Africa
Orange-Alamance Prison Ministry - pecans and brunswick stew
North Carolinians Against Gun Violence – exchange Peace Toys for War Toys
Daffodils & Paperwhite Bulbs - support landmine removal
Coalition for Peace and Justice – handmade Palestinian goods support hospitals & refugee camps
Chapel Hill/Carrboro Peacemaking Scholarship – for local college students in study of peace
Gifts Of Aid (Church Worls Service) - Buy farm tools or animals for farmers in Africa
Zoe’s Ark – jewelry supports Heifer international
Bokashi Composting – info and demonstration
Fiberactive Organics - table linens support Montagnard refugees
Paralyzed Veterans of America
Iglesia Café - Vegetarian and Cheese Pupusas (Central America)
