A Brief History of the Festival of Sharing

In 1974, the first "Bishop's Thanksgiving Convocation" was held. The precursor for the Festival of Sharing.  The first such convocation was held on the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend, at Trowbridge Livestock Center, University of Missouri-Columbia.  Churches from around the state brought huge quantities of resources including food, clothing, Church World Service kits, and livestock for Heifer Project. Dozens of volunteers were enlisted to distribute the items where needed.

This expression of mission support and involvement continued and grew, catching the attention of laity and clergy of other denominations.  In 1982, the annual event came under the coordination of an interdenominational coordinating committee and came to be known as the Festival of Sharing.

The Gathering Event

The Festival of Sharing event is really a two-day affair, with one day required for set up at the Missouri State Fairgrounds, and the second day devoted to the event itself.  The Festival could not be managed without volunteers who work as “staff” with many taking on coordination of a particular responsibility year after year.

Thousands of persons from churches all over the state attend, bringing their collected cash and material goods for ministry projects.  Food pantries and agencies in Missouri with ecumenical support attend the gathering and receive an allocation from the supplies brought.

The event includes a number of activities, including a quilt auction, church food booths, sacking of beans, rice and potatoes, informational displays, sales of crafts and fresh breads, Youth Fest, Kid Fest, worship, and the collection, packing, and distribution of material resources.

Dates
The Festival of Sharing traditionally occurs on the third Saturday of October.  The 2011 Festival of Sharing will be held on October 14-15 at the Missouri State Fair Grounds in Sedalia.   [Festival of Sharing official website]