News of our Church Family

Strawberry Festival Planning Time is over …..
Now it’s Strawberry Festival Working Time!

Our annual Strawberry Festival is our biggest fundraiser for this church. But it is more than this. It is our one opportunity to reach out to the greatest number of people at one time. Over 1,000 people will visit our small country church on June 14, 2008. Our large portions of strawberry shortcake, our burgers, our bargain finds, plants, and baked goods aren’t the only reasons so many people pass through our lives that one day. It’s the whole atmosphere of the day. There is laughter, peace, and goodwill abounding that day. People are amazed at what this small church can accomplish!

Of course, the visitors don’t see behind the scenes: the aching feet, the strained backs, the headaches, etc. They don’t see this, because we try not to have burned out workers. But, as we have mentioned before, we are a small church and it’s hard to make this day as pleasant as possible for visitors AND workers if WE DON’T HAVE HELP.

So what can we do? I say “WE” because we are all in this together. Don’t think that you have nothing to offer to this Festival because there is something for all of us to do. You might volunteer an hour or so in the kitchen, rest awhile, and volunteer somewhere else for another hour. Only have an hour to give? That’s great – that means someone can take a break while you fill in for him or her.

Don’t forget our Hulling Parry on Friday night. Starting about 6 PM, people gather around the island in the kitchen to hull all the strawberries for the Festival. We have families who come to hull, and others who take their pans of strawberries outside on the lawn. It’s a great event - no food or entertainment, just good old fashioned socializing. When the last crate is delivered to the sink for the ritual washing of the strawberries, there is a loud announcement to everyone. When the final strawberry is hulled, everyone shouts out because we know we are ready for our Strawberry Festival to begin.

Early on the day of the Festival, we need people to chop strawberries and help with the last minute set up of things. It’s actually a fun job to do. Arrive around 8 AM on Festival day and you’re done around 9, depending on the number of choppers.

If you can’t work the day of the festival, there are other areas where we need help. Our tag sale people need helpers the entire week before the festival. We need people to help set up tents and put up tables on the church grounds the night before the festival. Can you bake biscuits and bring them to the church? Don’t have the secret recipe? It’s here in this newsletter just for you.

Can’t get around like you used to and feel you have nothing to offer? Think again. Can you bake a goodie to sell at our bake table? Can you look around your garden and find something for the plant sale? (Remember, the plant sale people will dig up your plants, if you can’t – a little dirt won’t keep them away.) Have some items for the tag sale that you can’t get to the church? Call us and we will happily load them into our cars and deliver them to the church for you.

After the Festival closes and everyone takes a deep breath, there is still more to do. We have to break down the burger booth, empty coolers, take down the tables, bring in the Silent Auction items, clean up the kitchen and turn the dining room back into Case Hall. Dru McNeil is in charge of this area of the festival.

TEENS and PRE-TEENS, where are YOU planning to volunteer? You and your friends are needed just a much as everyone else. Come to the strawberry hulling on Friday night. Dining room, kitchen, burger booth, popcorn machine ----- sign up for Strawberry Festival where you think you will have the most fun. Yes, I said “FUN.” You can have fun while still helping out. It’s a good feeling to know you are contributing on an equal footing with your parents and other church members.

Parents with small children … if needing childcare is keeping you from volunteering, please let us know. We will try to set up some volunteers for childcare on Saturday. Can’t promise, but maybe some teens might like to give some time to childcare that day. Let me know.

Whatever YOU can do to help out will be most appreciated by everyone who comes to our Strawberry Festival and sees happy, smiling faces greeting them and welcoming them.

Please look at the various sign up sheets for the Festival that are in Case Hall. Find at least one area where you can help out and sign up. Better yet, find two areas where you can sign up.

Thank you,

Mary Brevigleiri
2008 Festival Chair

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Grandma’s Attic:
Looking for Good Things

As you look at your cellar, attic, garage and closet this springtime and see something that might be a treasure for someone else, bring it to the church as we prepare for the Strawberry Festival! Please, no computer electronics or articles of clothing, and only working small appliances. Clean, recyclable items are welcomed!

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Silent Auction

Sign up sheet is up! Please take a letter to a business or donate a service or gift yourself. Monies earned this year will go to our Operating Budget. For more information, contact Jill Moulton.

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Shhhhh!! Official Strawberry Festival Biscuit Recipe

2 cups unbleached white flour (no whole wheat!)
4 teaspoons baking powder
2 tablespoons sugar
½ teaspoon salt
¼ cup shortening
¾ cup milk (more if needed)

Combine dry ingredients. Cut in shortening until it looks like coarse crumbs (small peas). Make a well with dry ingredients. Add milk all at once. Stir quickly with a fork until dough follows fork around bowl. Turn dough onto lightly floured board. Knead gently 10-12 times. Pat (do not roll) to ½ inch thickness.

Cut circles using a 6 ¾ ounce tuna can (both sides cut out) that is dipped into flour. Cut straight down and lift.

This recipe makes approximately 6 biscuits, plus or minus one. Doubling the recipe does not work. (Don’t know why, it just doesn’t!)

Bake at 450 degrees on an ungreased cookie sheet approx. 12-16 minutes or until LIGHT BROWN on top and bottom. Cool before bagging – may be frozen. Take out of freezer two days prior to festival. Please pre-slice before bringing to church. Good Luck!

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Prayer Shawl Ministry

Our next meeting will take place on Wednesday, May 7 at 7:00 PM at the Milkes. We welcome anyone who is working on a project and would like to share in the fellowship and fun!

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Wanted: Church Secretary

After three years of ably serving as our church secretary, Kathy Smith has tendered her resignation. We will miss her greatly and thank her for her faithful and dedicated service among us! If you know of someone who might have interest in this position, which presently entails nine hours a week, please contact Dawn Harris, the Chairperson of our Staff/Parish Relations Committee, at 693-6588.