In 2002, when Carole Bennett suggested to her late husband, the Rev. Gene Bennett, a former Rector of Church of the Redeemer/Brookhaven (2000-2010), that the church start a thrift shop, he encouraged her to pursue that dream.

Today, Angel’s Attic continues to be a thriving ministry of Church of the Redeemer and of Brookhaven. On June 13, Church of the Redeemer celebrated the ministry’s grand reopening in a newly renovated space, and Bishop-elect Dorothy Sanders Wells asked God’s blessing on the space, its dedicated team and the neighbors it serves during her visit to the parish on June 9.

Parishioner Dorothy LeBlanc oversees the work of the ministry, and describes it as a labor of love. She is just one of the team of parishioners who give of their time and talent to make the ministry happen – not only helping to staff the shop, but also picking up items being shared by parishioners and others in the community, sorting those items and preparing the items for sale. A team of more than 25 dedicated persons, in addition to the staff, worked together to prepare for the shop’s grand reopening. LeBlanc noted that the shop’s manager, Anita Thomas, has been part of the Angel’s Attic team for 14 years.

Parishioner Emily Rossie, another Angel’s Attic team member, speaks to all of the ways that the ministry serves not only the Redeemer parish family, but the entire community. “First,” says Rossie, “the shop offers a way for persons in the community to obtain clothing and items they need at an affordable price.” Most items sold at Angel’s Attic cost no more than $1 or $2. The shop also allows persons in the community to “let go” of items they no longer need, knowing they can share those gently-used pieces with others. And, the proceeds from the shop’s sales are returned to the community, in the form of gifts to community ministries and individuals who need support. In 2019, for example, Rossie says that Angel’s Attic shared over $30,000 with 59 community ministries and individuals.

But Angel’s Attic also employs neighbors from the community, giving them an opportunity to work and earn a wage while helping others.

Renovations on a building already existing on the Redeemer campus were completed by a parish friend, contractor Ryan Kowalski, who donated six months of his own labor to make the new space happen. The new space allows for more inventory, and a lovely shopping experience for neighbors.

Angel’s Attic has a rich history of sharing with neighbors. Following a fire at a nearby apartment complex, Angel’s Attic invited affected neighbors to come to the shop to pick up needed items for free.

“It never fails,” Rossie says, “that someone will be a dollar or two short for a purchase, and someone in line behind them will offer to cover it.”

Angels, everywhere.