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Used Church Supplies vs. New

Used Church Supplies vs. New

05-27-2020

Used Church Supplies vs. New Church Supplies

As with anything in life, there is often a good reason to buy something previously loved, i.e. used. This is definitely the case for used church supplies. Common second-hand church supplies include large furnishings, paintings, art, statues, and crucifixes. Smaller items may also be available. Why buy used church supplies? Some people love a bargain. Some love the hunt for a great deal or discovering a unique gem. Many people buy used in order to avoid overconsumption of material goods. Others just appreciate that new items are sometimes a “want” rather than a “need.”

Purchasing used church supplies may be a necessity. A budget may dictate it, for example. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being fiscally responsible. In fact, by honoring your congregation’s limitations, you are serving God by ensuring the long-term health of the entity. Moreover, you are setting an important example for members of your church who may need to forgo certain luxuries or expenses to ensure the long-term health of their families.

Another wonderful benefit of buying used church supplies is that a new home is found for sacred artifacts. It can be positively humbling to think about the history and spirituality of a particular item. There is something very “connecting” about a previously owned religious item. Additionally, used items are often quite unique and one-of-a-kind versus new items that appear (over and over again) in certain spaces.

And, of course, you might consider that you are serving God’s beautiful and precious earth by limiting the usage of new materials in the construction of church supplies. Such simplicity and mindfulness of what we consume is an important message from God that we can practice in our purchases of second-hand church supplies.

Re-using second-hand church supplies has become increasingly common due to the influx of parish clustering in recent years. A parish cluster is established when two or more parishes “merge” to share staff and other resources. This often means that one or more of these individual parishes no longer need certain church supplies or furnishings.

One thing to keep in mind as you shop for used church supplies is whether or not your source is a recognized distributor. St. Patrick’s Guild, for example, is endorsed by the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis as an authorized agent for the respectful disposition of church supplies. An authorized agent has the know-how to ensure that the artifacts have been respectfully and properly handled and ensures that each specific item is cared for in the way in which it was spiritually or religiously intended. Choose an authorized dealer/agent for your second-hand church supplies!

Don’t overlook the option of used church supplies. You can save money, help the environment, and preserve sacred items. While your options may be more limited (again, this is the case with any category of used items), the other benefits far outweigh that minor inconvenience. Stay flexible and you will surely enjoy your used church supply shopping experience!

P.S. St. Patrick’s Guild wants to hear from you if you’re looking for a partner to market your second-hand church supplies. Contact us today!

For used church supplies, visit our online store or contact us today and we would be more than happy to help you.