Extraordinary Coordinator: Michael Williams
In Your Community Liane In Your Community Liane

Extraordinary Coordinator: Michael Williams

The Fair Trade Shop at Our Lord's Lutheran Church in Maryville, Illinois, created by Michael Williams, hearkens back to a simpler era. The cozy 12’x12’ space in the Worship Center building is packed with Equal Exchange food and handmade crafts from SERRV artisans. Both the farmers and the craftspeople earn enough money from their products so that they can feed their families and remain in their homes—located in many different countries. The store supports small-scale working people who are ignored by international commercial markets. 

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Extraordinary Coordinator: Grace Miley
In Your Community Greta Merrick In Your Community Greta Merrick

Extraordinary Coordinator: Grace Miley

From Grace, “Our church became involved with Equal Exchange in 1996 when we started serving “Fellowship Blend” for any church gatherings. I remember being curious about the concept of fair trade, which was new to me. As EE products expanded, I became the new EE volunteer in our church with no clue where this adventure would lead me.”

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Extraordinary Coordinator: Jane Chandler
In Your Community Greta Merrick In Your Community Greta Merrick

Extraordinary Coordinator: Jane Chandler

Jane has been the fair trade purchaser at West Parish Congregational Church UCC in rural Maine for about 20 years — though no one can recall exactly what year she started. Jane and her husband Jim live year round on the edge of Bryant Pond about 15 minutes away from Bethel. Jane delivers most of her Equal Exchange coffee orders by car or folks pick them up from her house or the church; but she keeps her kayak tied to the dock for emergency caffeine deliveries.

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Interview with Extraordinary Pastor, Father John Grace
In Your Community Liane In Your Community Liane

Interview with Extraordinary Pastor, Father John Grace

Father John Grace has served as a Catholic Priest for 43 years. He has served as the Pastor at the Immaculate Conception Church in Hampton, Virginia for the past four years. Under Father John's guidance, Immaculate Conception has become a "Care for Creation" or environmentally focused church. The congregation serves Equal Exchange coffee and sells our small farmer products every two weeks after services.

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Extraordinary Coordinator: Linda Elliott
In Your Community Liane In Your Community Liane

Extraordinary Coordinator: Linda Elliott

Linda Elliott of First Presbyterian in Charleston, West Virginia, first read about Equal Exchange 22 years ago at a meeting of Presbyterian Women (USA). She found the concept of fair trade, justice, equality, and fairness for farmers working in small organic co-ops in the global south to be extremely compelling.

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