The DPC Winter Warm-Up street fair.

What is it, Why have it, and How will it be done?

What...

The Winter Warm-Up street fair is a combination of the Street Fair which has previously been held in December, and a repetition of the Garage Sale which was held late last year. The plan is to use the grounds and buildings of the church, as well as a portion of College St, to conduct a variety of activities.

Why...

The question of 'why' hold the event is important in determining how, or even if, it should be run. In thinking about the 'connect-grow-serve' tag for DPC, this event has the main purpose of connecting with the local community. It aims to provide a low-stress, enjoyable context where church members feel comfortable inviting their friends and neighbours to come along, and even people with no connection with the church might feel free to join in. It is hoped that by coming on to 'our patch', outsiders might begin to overcome any feelings that church is unfamiliar or alien. Hopefully making a physical connection with where we meet might begin the process of people connecting in a new and living way with Jesus.

How...

Those principles and goals of 'why' the Winter Warm-Up should be held will be valuable in controlling 'How' events are run. There was some initial tension in combining an explicitly free event with a fund-raising exercise. Should donations to the garage sale be given away now? Should coffee be sold, or given away? Should we charge admission to the jumping castle? What types of other events should be run? The firm aim of connecting with people in our area will continue to be vital in deciding these questions as the team is formed and as plans are laid. At present the intention is to charge for items at the garage sale (otherwise it wouldn't be a sale!), but that church would bear the cost of most of the other activities.

'How' we do things will be governed by the question: "What approach will make it easiest for people in the local area to join in and begin to feel a connection?"