Creating things like crafts is a great way to honor the gifts that God has given us.

Members of the Bird-in-Hand United Methodist Church (BiHUMC) United Women in Faith no longer create all of the crafts sold at the bazaar. But they still use their creativity to do God's work.

For the United Women in Faith, the church's annual crafters' bazaar is a vehicle for touching lives.

"Our church has been hosting a holiday bazaar since the early 1950s," said Audrey Miller, who's been BiHUMC's United Women in Faith's president for 15 years. "In the past, the crafts were done by the church women. It's only been six years since we've opened it up to outside crafters. It's just a different way to do it."

"There are costs for a lot of things we do," added Miller. "(The bazaar) helps us fund and continue our outreach mission and projects."

United Women in Faith will present this year's version of the crafters' bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 9, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at BiHUMC, 2620 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird-in-Hand. The event is free to attend, and all proceeds from it will benefit the upkeep of the 250-year-old, historic church building and up to seven outreach missions that the United Women in Faith support.

"The bazaar is another way for people to get to know we're there," said Miller. "We're a very small senior church. We're a tiny traditional church. We try to do what we can to make ourselves more visible in the community."

United Women in Faith's crafters' bazaar will feature the work of 18 crafters from Lancaster County and beyond, including stained-glass birds and ornaments, paper flower bouquets, handcrafted sofa pillows, Pennsylvania Dutch fraktur prints, wallets, handbags, candles, holiday snowmen, Christmas ornaments, silk arrangements, floral centerpieces, handmade jewelry, knitted and crocheted hats, scarves and animal critters, painted rocks and leather and fabric bags. Also available for purchase will be 60 themed gift baskets that include items like gift cards, hair care products, cooking and baking essentials, infant supplies, dog treats, tea, flowers and coffee.

In addition, the bazaar will offer light refreshments in the form of barbecue sandwiches, hot dogs, chips and beverages. A homemade baked goods area will feature feature cookies, breads, fudge and snack mixes.

"It's an excitable morning," said Miller. "There's such a variety of handmade items available. They're well-known crafters. These crafters display at other markets and shows. They're exceptionally creative."

More than 200 visitors are expected to attend the crafters' bazaar.

"It's well attended," said Miller. "We're just happy for whatever we get to help with the upkeep of our church and to fund our mission projects."

United Women in Faith is made up of 10 BiHUMC members. Another 10 parishioners pitch in to ensure that the crafters' bazaar runs smoothly.

"It's an effort of the whole church family," said Miller. "We appreciate the help we get because we couldn't do it without it."

BiHUMC began in 1839 as a gathering of 39 local individuals for Sunday school. The original church building was constructed in 1872, and in the mid-20th century, BiHUMC's congregation grew to 225 members.

"Our main desire is to reach out and bring in new disciples of Christ," said Miller. "We try to interact in the Bird-in-Hand community. We encourage people to come into our church and visit. We just want people to come in and experience our church."

For additional information about Bird-in-Hand United Methodist Church, go to http://www.bihumc.com.