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Winnipeg, Man.
Sowing the seeds of God’s love

Five women annually assemble over 100 booths of country crafts to produce the Scattered Seeds Country Craft Show and Sale held at Winnipeg’s Assiniboia Downs. Pictured are (l-r) Debbie Schwartz, Eileen Lubimiv, Helen Shuturma, Shelley Molitowsky; (seated) Lynda Katchnoski.

“Often the path to salvation is a slow process. Like a plant, someone sows the seed, someone else waters and nurtures it, and then there is a harvest. God is the Gardener, and we are His tools. Our job is to play the part given by the Gardener, using our gifts and abilities for His glory and honour.”

So say the five women who serve God as partners of Scattered Seeds Inc.

Sisters Lynda Katchnoski and Debbie Schwartz, their mother Helen Shuturma and friends Shelley Molitowsky and Eileen Lubimiv produce the annual Scattered Seeds Country Craft Show and Sale held on the third weekend in October at the Assiniboia Downs in Winnipeg.

While the Sale itself is a flourishing event with generous media coverage, the enterprising women who run it consider it an enjoyable vehicle for their primary purpose: sowing the seeds of the gospel among Manitoba’s country craft community.

“The peace and joy we have as Christians . . . they need to know that they can have it too,” says Shelley of the people that they meet.

On the surface, the Scattered Seeds Sale provides a reasonably-priced, quality venue for talented home-based country crafters, allowing them to earn an income as stay-at-home parents. Each crafter is juried to ensure they offer high calibre crafts fitting the country theme. In turn, the size and quality of the Sale draw a large crowd each year, with a record attendance of nearly 8,000 in 1999.

Stay-at-home moms themselves, the quintet teamed up 15 years ago to sell hand-crafted items from Debbie’s home. In 1995, they gathered the best of the country crafting circuit under one roof at the Transcona Country Club. Not sure how to go about this, they trusted God who gave them the vision and directed their path.

The first Sale was a great success with an attendance of 1,500. But the dream-come-true proved to be a parking lot nightmare. Needing a larger venue, they moved to the Assiniboia Downs, “where the parking lot goes on forever”.

In the ongoing planning and administration of the annual October Sale, the partners have countless opportunities to share God’s peace and joy. Whether or not the participating crafters and the Downs’ staff are believers, all are drawn into the Scattered Seeds family, where they experience an intimate and down-to-earth sharing of the gospel.

“Women easily pour out their hearts to each other,” explains Shelley. “Even if they don’t know the Lord, you can say, ‘I’ll pray for you’, and they appreciate it.”

Wishing to follow the Lord graciously as He leads, the women of Scattered Seeds meet regularly for prayer and sharing. Recently, they received a vision from the Lord to go on-line. Once again there is much to learn in this new avenue of merchandising as they gear up for a Web site opening at www.thescatteredseeds.com. The on-line store will feature country gifts, and eventually the work of Manitoba home crafters.

“It’s about much more than just crafts. There’s a bigger picture,” says Lynda, excited about the continuing adventure God is leading them on. “We’re on a ride, so hang on girls!”

Whether they are the ones sowing a seed in someone’s heart, nurturing its growth or reaping the harvest, Lynda, Debbie, Helen, Shelley and Eileen are God’s fellow workers.

Whatever the method, God is the Gardener and He directs the work in His field.

 – Ingrid Koss

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Last modified November 29, 2000.

© 2000 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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