As part of a month-long study on justice, Gardendale-Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church is sponsoring a “Fair Trade Boutique,” which will act as a sort of “living catalogue” for fair trade goods. The concept of fair trade comes from giving a fair price for goods to manufacturers before reselling them for profit.

The boutique will happen on Sept. 17, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sept. 18 from 8:30 a.m.- 2 p.m. at the church. Visitors won’t be able to actually take home any merchandise from the vendors; rather, they will browse booths as if they were part of a catalog, and can place orders for goods to be shipped to them. There will be coffee, tea, handmade bags, jewelry and much more for sale.

The church is partnering with an organization called Trade as One, which partners with many churches to promote fair trade shows. Bradley said that Gardendale-Mt. Vernon was one of its only southern U.S. contacts. Find out more about them at www.tradeasone.com

The church will also host a screening of the documentary “Invisible Children” on Sept. 18; the film revolves around the lives of children who were kidnapped to fight in Africa’s longest running war.