 |
Sept. 28, 2006
|
 |
Exchange gets people talking,
establishing community |
|
|
|
MENOMONEE FALLS — When Pat Nolan became a member of St. James Parish, she wanted to connect with parishioners beyond just seeing them in church on Sunday. She was also in the market for several items. That combination inspired her and her late husband Ken, to develop the St. James Exchange. Half-networking circle, half classified ads, the Exchange has become an outlet for new friendships, as well as for giving and receiving — in many ways.
St. James Exchange is listed in the parish bulletin twice a month. The list includes items people need, merchandise that is free or for sale, and services people seek such as babysitting or a ride to Mass.
During its eight years of existence, the Exchange has grown.
“The biggest benefit is that people in church have gotten to know each other,” said Nolan. “They get to meet people outside of Mass. There’s a lot of people involved in (church) committees and they get to know other people, but there’s a lot of people that don’t. I was trying to reach those people. I thought to have people ask for something or give something away, you meet people. Through this written ad system, they have a chance to meet someone and strike up a conversation.”
More than simply selling things or offering services, Nolan feels that getting people talking is the priority of the Exchange.
“To get people in church talking to each other at a community-based level and to engender friendships,” Nolan says of the goals of the Exchange. “I think I’ve benefited more than anyone. I’ve gained a lot of friends.”
St. James Exchange prints the first name and phone number of a person requesting or offering an item or service. Nolan said that unlike posting an ad in a newspaper, only St. James parishioners contact those who place the ads.
“It’s a different level than putting it in the newspaper,” said Nolan, “because (with the newspaper) you don’t know who’s calling you. These are parishioners you can trust.”
One of the first success stories Nolan received about the Exchange came from a single mother whose own mother had placed an ad asking for a free refrigerator and two bikes for the kids.
“By Monday she had everything she asked for,” said Nolan. “She called me and left a message on my machine, crying. She said she couldn’t believe she got this stuff for free.”
When Nolan’s husband became ill, she found that she needed people to help her care for her husband or sit with him when she had to go out. She used the Exchange and got offers from people volunteering to help her. After her husband died, the Exchange also provided assistance.
“I felt isolated and I wanted to talk to someone,” said Nolan. “I was able to use (the Exchange) to talk to a huge group of people.”
The process of creating the Exchange is a collaboration between Nolan and Michele Schmitz, parish secretary.
Nolan receives and types the ads, while Schmitz prints and collates them.
“It’s very easy for me to manage it this way,” said Nolan. “Michele and I have it down to the point that it’s a no-brainer. I’d like to see this idea spread to other churches.” |
|
|
|
