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A Fair to Share
A true ecumenical spirit has run through Timaru's St Paul's Presbyterian Church fair for nearly two decades and 2003 looks to be no exception.
St Paul's usually combines with at least one other parish for the fair, which has been held jointly for most years since 1986.
The church is teaming up this year with members of the Salvation Army of Timaru, whose citadel is located only a short distance from St Paul's.
The fair features an auction, plants, crafts and clothing and has become a familiar sight in the church's grounds.
St Paul's Session Clerk Alison Linscott says the event is usually held on the second Saturday in November, but logistical planning begins months in advance.
"It's a good way of getting to know the people in other congregations, if we don't already know them," she says.
In the past St Paul's have teamed up with mostly rural co-operating congregations and in 1996, combined with all the Presbyterian churches in South Canterbury.
One year the fair became a three-way event, as the church hosted it with the co-operating parish of Pukaki and Temuka Presbyterians.
Proceeds are split between the organising churches, particularly helping parishes from smaller towns, says Alison.
The fair usually gets under way with the Timaru Pipe Band and there have also been performances by a school brass band, gymnasts, country and western and Scottish country dancers.
There has also been face painting and a bouncy castle has been used for children to play in, she says.