Visitors were also offered free health screenings. — Courtesy photos
THERE were laughter, the delicious aroma of food and a strong sense of community at a jumble sale and food fair organised to raise money for a decades-old church in Sungai Petani, Kedah.
The first event of such scale in over a decade at St Philip and St James’ Anglican Church was held to raise funds for necessary repairs to its buildings.
The Board of Tamil and Allied Work’s (BOTAW) social concern team also arranged for free cancer screenings by the National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM) for visitors.
Church executive committee member John David said the structures, especially the church hall and the building housing the pantry and office, have been affected by water leakage.
A budget of RM60,000 has been set just to restore the hall, he said.
“Through the event, we have raised RM25,000 and the remainder will be raised through other activities in the near future,” he added.
Some 350 to 400 people visited the fair, including some from the B40 group as well as foreign workers and their families, looking for a good bargain in the jumble sale.
The fundraising event at St Philip & St James’ Anglican Church in Sungai Petani saw a jumble sale.
The event was launched by Anglican Diocese of West Malaysia Bishop-elect Stephen Soe and Archdeacon Soong Hoe Pin.
Present were church priest Reverend Immanuel Moses, event committee chairman Eugene Dass, Maria Pier from NCSM and Stephanie James from BOTAW.
The event’s sponsors included Park Avenue Hotel and Swiss Avenue Hotel in Sungai Petani.
The church, which is nearly 75 years old, was built through years of fundraising and contributions from the community.
It was dedicated on April 30 of 1941, which was the eve of the Feast Day of St Philip and St James.
Over the decades, the church has faced challenges, from being taken over during the Japanese Occupation to enduring financial struggles.
Yet, through the dedication of clergy, parishioners and the community, the church has stood firm, adapting and growing while always remaining a beacon of faith and service in Sungai Petani.
