FAIRHOPE, Ala. — Having only 37 members doesn’t get Unity on the Eastern Shore down. Like the Energizer Bunny, the members of this little church keep going and going and going.

Since 1990, when the church was founded, the congregation has gone through some tough experiences, including the kidnapping and murder, in 1999, of their founding minister, the Rev. Ted Turner. They also went two years without a minister, and recently, their HVAC unit expired one hot Sunday morning, just after they had all joined forces and participated in replacing the roof of the church.

In spite of these setbacks, this church has ministered to the community in a variety of ways. They have:

• Collected new stuffed animals, which Doreen Sorrels takes to three local police departments for children of domestic violence.

• Supported Fairhope’s Earth Day event by having a booth to show and explain how to build a cottage out of sandbags and stucco, and by having their minister, the Rev. Shirley Geer, provide a blessing for animals.

• Provided lunches for Habitat for Humanity’s Women’s Build in Fairhope.

• Consistently donated food items to the food pantry of Ecumenical Ministry Inc., and have fed the public the very best, genuine, Italian spaghetti at their “Spaghetti Feast” every December, when Andre DiMatteo, a native of Naples, Italy, specially prepares the sauce and every plate of spaghetti that is served.

Recently, all 37 members, decided to host a big, public “Treasure Sale” at the church. Church members, friends of church members, distant relatives of church members, and others donated many items for this sale, which will be held Saturday, May 10, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The thing that makes this “Treasure Sale” unique is that, except for golf balls and a few big items, they will accept any price the public is willing to pay; it’s a “name your own price” sale. Eleanore Scott and Jodie Smithem, who have organized this event, said that, during the last hour (noon to 1 p.m.), all items that can be placed in a plastic grocery bag will go for $1 per bag.

Unity on the Eastern Shore is located at 22979 U.S. Highway 98 in Montrose, one mile north of State Highway 104. For more information, visit www.unityeasternshore.org or call 990-8934.