Time, talent and treasure came together at Effort UMC's Mission Outreach Auction to benefit three mission causes.

Six long tables held over 90 items to be auctioned, explained Mission Chairperson, Pat Mackes."I'm very pleased with the quantity and the quality donated by our parishioners," she said as she and Gail Schellman kept busy with registering details while members and friends of the congregation inspected what had been brought in or were still being brought in."We have an excellent turn out," she added as Wesley Hall filled with attendees.The missions this auction would benefit included the Zimmerman Family, the church's missionaries in Bolivia; the World Service Fund, support for national missions through the church's apportionment; and local missions, mainly for youth going on a work camp outing in July.Brenda Davis was fascinated by the birdhouses made by 13-year-old Mackenzie Borger of Kresgeville, who said she and her father worked on them together."I admire it," said Davis of the birdhouse that each had "Fly on Inn" on it.Those birdhouses brought in $40 each during heavy bidding.Other items to be auctioned included crafts, needlework, taste treats, gift certificates, services, baskets, canned goods, jewelry, paintings and more.Auctioning off that variety of items were the church's Pastor Robin Fisher and music director Dan Smale, with the auction dedicated to the late Rev. Jack Rule.Jessica "Vanna" Kondratik helped show the items up for bid, assisted later by others.The Coffee Lovers basket was "captured" by church secretary Wendy Edwards, but not without stiff competition."You won't need change," said Auctioneer Fisher as she was trying to get a bid of $9 up to $10 for one of Arlene Burger's apple butter jars. And the bid went to $11.Kay Charbonnier's Longenberger work basket fetched $250 after heavy bidding and Joyce Aylsworth's wheat dinner rolls had multiple bidders so she agreed to make one more batch for the third person.The desserts available throughout the auction were sweet; the fellowship was also, as laughter and mock bidding battles led to over $3,300 being earned by this event of sharing and caring.There was even time to sing Happy Birthday to those who were celebrating this week end. And for church secretary Wendy Edwards, whose birthday was on "Auction Day," a special cake was presented her by her family.