As the Chapel of the Cross holds the 41st Annual ABC Sale, it is worth reflecting on how and why it all began.

Mary Harris, a former parishioner, is credited with bringing the idea of a parish wide sale to the Chapel of the Cross after attending a stewardship conference at Kanuga in the late 1950s. As head of the Episcopal Church Women at the time, she made the proposal to the then rector, David Yates. Mr. Yates agreed to a sale only if all funds raised by the sale went outside the church to the community. That philosophy has remained a cornerstone of the sale to this day. Mary Harris and the dedicated women of the ECW organized that first sale, and the ECW continued to run the sale for many years. It was originally known as the Attic, Basement, and Cupboard Sale, but over time the “Closet” has replaced the “Cupboard” in the sale’s name.

The sale is a wonderful opportunity for parish-wide stewardship as the talents and resources of hundreds of our parishioners are channeled into a project to support our community and those less fortunate. The sale now takes place during the Lenten season providing an opportunity to give of oneself, and to let go of some of those material things in the service of others. Though profits from the sale have grown over the years, the mission of the sale has remained the same. The sale continues to provide funds to worthy ministries in the community, make quality goods available at reasonable prices to those who need them, and strengthen and celebrate a deeper sense of community.

For at least the last 10 years, the Social Ministry Committee has been the group to solicit requests for funds and make recommendations to the vestry regarding disbursement. The church archives first record ABC proceeds in 1961, when the sale raised $1072. Last year the sale raised $24,185. After expenses, $20,000 total was awarded to 23 ministries, almost all in the local communities of Durham, Chatham, and Orange Counties.

The sale has been an annual event for many of our parishioners. Phyllis Barrett was among the group that began the sale and continues to volunteer her services each year. Frances Ferguson, Nancy Sitterson, Mudge Marsh, and Nancy Tolley, are among others who have worked this sale for more than 20 years. Many fondly remember the fashion shows begun in the 1970s by Mary Arthur Stoudemire, then chair of the French Room. Treasure Teas have been held some years in advance of the sale providing a chance to embrace a spirit of fellowship and stewardship as participants donated a ‘treasure’ for the sale. Doris Cotton, parish housekeeper for many years, was there from the beginning and still returns during ABC week to help with the sale and bring a smile to all she greets!

The heart of the sale has been the parish-wide support for its mission over the years. The combined efforts of all the volunteers, the many who donate household and baked goods, our faithful shoppers, the parish staff, the Preschool at the Chapel of the Cross, our Episcopal Youth Community, our Episcopal Campus Ministry students, our Habitat Student Partnership, and our Scout Troops make this a unique opportunity for Christian fellowship and help extend the parish gifts and talents into the community.