Bethel’s Parish Shoppe ministry will close on Nov. 30, 2005 after 46 years of operation. It is located in a Victorian brick house in Bethel’s parking lot.

The Parish Shoppe began in 1959 with the encouragement of Pastor Morris Wee. A similar shop, the Old Rectory Shop operated by the women of Grace Episcopal Church, had recently closed and had been very profitable. Bethel was growing and in need of assistance to reduce its debt, and Pr. Wee felt it was also an opportunity for fellowship for Bethel women. Fewer women worked outside of the home in 1959 giving the ministry a wealth of talented volunteers.

The Parish Shoppe is a consignment shop, selling everything from jewelry and clothing to furniture. Another similar entity which will not close is the Bethel Estate Sales, which conducts consignment sales at local homes and apartments. Many volunteers have worked for both. The proceeds of these missions (minus operating expenses) have been given to the ministries of Bethel and the community: Sunday School and Confirmation programs, Food Pantry, Media Ministry, Bethel Horizons, the Homeless Shelter, Lutheran World Relief, Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota, and many, many other ministries. Amazingly, over the past 46 years, this has amounted to about two million dollars!

Some years—such as 1988 when $78,000 was earned—were better than others, but over the years several factors have made it more difficult to be profitable. In 1959 there was virtually no competition in Madison but today there are 29 such shops plus eBay. The overhead of the building has also become increasingly expensive as it has aged and become less efficient.

On Monday, Nov. 7, Parish Shoppe volunteers attended a luncheon to celebrate the success of this amazing ministry. Business Administrator, Ed Young, stated that Bethel’s 83,000 square foot building is debt free thanks, in part, to the Parish Shoppe and Bethel Estate Sales.

Aside from money raised, many friendships and good times have been had by the hundreds of people who have volunteered.

Bethel and its ministries are very indebted to these dedicated, hard-working, people and their years of vision, persistence, and commitment.

—Sally Averkamp