(Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in the Feb. 2025 edition of the Saskatchewan Anglican magazine.)

By Sylvia Dubeczy, Pastoral Coordinator for All Saints Anglican and Our Reedeemer Lutheran Churches, Watrous

A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another as I have loved you. By this shall all people know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another. – John 13:34-35

Community building is about bringing people together and creating a sense of belonging.

Building a strong community has many benefits. For one, it helps create a sense of belonging and connection among members. This can lead to increased social interaction and engagement, as well as making new members feel welcome.

Here in Watrous, like other communities, we have found a new way of expressing that beautiful prairie spirit of neighbour helping neighbour. It’s about coming together, not for the sake of the community itself, but for the sake of those who have yet to find their place within it.

True community, as designed by God, reaches out and brings people into the fold, nurturing them, guiding them, and revealing the profound love of the Creator.

The Thrift on Main store had its beginning in 2023 in the mind of one person spotting a neighbour working in the yard. Seeing this as his chance, he told the neighbour his idea of starting a thrift store in Watrous.

Exploring this project, they soon realized that a thrift store could be a true lifeline for their church family as well as others here in Watrous. After approaching the other church groups a bond was formed between the United, Lutheran, Catholic and Anglican Churches. Two members from each of the four churches serve on the volunteer board.

A building was purchased on Main Street with the help of some kind and generous folks. Next, a swarm of volunteers went to work to transform the heritage building into a bright and welcoming space that now houses the Thrift on Main store.

Following its grand opening in May 2024, Thrift on Main has enjoyed great support from the community and surrounding area. This adventure in community building is a gift to all involved.

To those who volunteer at the store it has given new purpose and meaning to their lives. To those that give gently used items to sell it’s the knowledge that someone else will now enjoy what has given pleasure to them. Knowing that the money earned will help sustain the continued good works of the four churches has become the added bonus.

The army of volunteers has a lot to be thankful for. Thrift on Main store has become a meaningful way to give back to the community.

Offering grant funding as part of Thrift on Main’s mid-year financial end, Eric Upshall, who helped spearhead the project, said they were very fortunate to provide $61,687.95 to the community. “It was an exciting time for us just to know our labour of love was going to be spread out into the community to many worthy causes.”

Barely six-month into the store’s existence, the four churches received a substantial portion of the profit. Moreover, Thrift on Main presented cheques to 12 community groups who had applied for grants.

Those included: Watrous and District Food Bank, Colonsay Food Bank, Winston High School Breakfast for Learning Program, Watrous School of Dance, Watrous Judo Club, Young Swimming Pool, Nokomis Museum, Interlake Human Resources, Watrous Kinsmen Childcare Centre, Watrous-Manitou Beach Heritage Centre, Watrous and Area Arts Council, and Central Saskatchewan Medical First Responders.

The store’s success is an overwhelming experience of what can happen when a community pulls together in order to give back.

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