Sometimes, being a monthly magazine has its pitfalls. There's only so much space, and timing is never precise. So in advance of what couldn't make it into our December print issue, we're posting here an exerpt from an incredible story about a local church, courtesy of writer Caitlin Hill:

At St. Barnabas’s JustGifts Market, you won’t find candy canes and other traditional holiday stocking stuffers. However, you might find a solar oven or a mosquito net.

This year marks the sixth annual sale (shop the market December 5 and 6 at St. Barnabas Lutheran Church, 15600 Old Rockford Rd.; 763.553.1239; stbarnabaslutheran.org); it originated in 2004 when Barbara Root, Laurie Sanderson and Lois Troemel decided to create an alternative Christmas market where people could buy utilitarian gifts (think fruit tree seedlings and goats for milk and cheese) for those in need around the world. “I think it can be freeing for Americans to change our perspective on Christmas and to give charitable gifts that benefit others,” says Ann Dybvig, a three-year member of the JustGifts committee.

Almost all of the mission projects are new this year, including solar ovens, microcredit loans to help women start businesses and a project to provide clean water in Africa. The items are displayed with an information card telling about the project and the suggested amount to purchase, which is usually a share of the total project.

Along with the charitable gifts, you can choose from a wide variety of fair trade handcrafted items such as ceramics, baskets, jewelry, quilts and (a big hit in previous years) silk purses made by women in Bangladesh. All crafters receive a fair price for their goods, and 100 percent of profits go to development and hunger projects throughout the world.

Last year the market raised $6,500 for charitable gifts and received $1,600 in matching funds from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Additionally, more than $3,600 was sent to the organizations that supplied their fair-trade wares. Above all, Dybvig hopes that those who attend can learn a little bit more about what life is like in other parts of the world.

@ The JustGifts Market committee gives back locally, too. This year proceeds will also support a project for community gardens in Minneapolis. To find out more, visit stbarnabaslutheran.org.