Quaker Barter Fair on Buy Nothing Day

Black Friday offers the challenge to BUY NOTHING!  The Quaker testimonies of Simplicity, Community and Stewardship encourage Friends to find creative ways to care for the earth and each other, and we want to extend this opportunity to others in the community.  Creating a space to practice thinking together in a new way about how we place value on objects and services within our community seems like a worthwhile way to observe the day after Thanksgiving.

To get involved, just come!   Bring a table, shelf, rug or blanket to display your goods or a sign that describes your service(s).   CHILDREN ARE WELCOME!  Children are often the best models of how this can work.  They have the ability to add value to an item by describing potential uses, and the creativity to negotiate three-way trades.

There will be a designated area for “free” items that you are willing to give to whomever wants them.  Visitors may then use such items to barter and trade with if they wish.   At the end of the day all items remaining at the “Free Table” will be donated to a local charity.

We will also share a meal of left-overs from Thanksgiving feasts, so all attendees are invited to bring left overs to share. We will also enjoy spontaneous music making.   So, please bring musical instruments, singing bowls, drums and guitars, as well.