Once again the members of Clark Memorial UMC Community Ministries held its bi-annual afternoon tea. On Saturday, November 12th, members, captains, family, friends, and other guests, gathered at Goodwill Industries to share “tea.”
This year’s Afternoon Tea honored female ministries with a theme, “Created for Good Works: A Tribute to Female Ministers.” Among those honored were ministers of all backgrounds whom each serves in a different capacity. The honored guests were: Rev. Wanda Benson, Min. Lois Grady, Elder Peggie Johnson Carnie, Rev. Karynthia Phillips, Pastor Paula Smith, Rev. Barbara Woods-Washington, Rev. Billie Jean Westmoreland and Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Williams. “Your strength will lie in quiet confidence,” said chosen scripture from Isaiah 30:15.
The honorees were presented with beautiful Protestant Prayer Beads by JPB.
Captains were responsible for decorating their tables that were beautifully adorned with their own special table theme that included a beautiful table setting, complete with cloth napkins and table cloths. And, of course they each provided their own tea pot!
The guest at each table were family, friends and sometimes welcomed strangers who became friends before the day’s end as they shared the special tea provided by Theresa R.Shelton owner of Josie’s Teas.
“Table captains are most essential for this type of affair,” stated Wanda Clay, member of Community Ministries and program host. Clay said, “They provide the aesthetics for the room and help to create an atmosphere that sparks conversation from their choice of table décor. “I really love the ideas behind each of the table settings…how they were chosen and the theme they represent.”
The 2016 Table Captians were: Vivian Fielder, Rose Carroll/Joan Butler, Edna McDaniels (Rita Fleming), Kimberly Jones, Princilla Morris and Sandra Glenn-Burnett. Other decorated tables were for the youth, community ministries and two children’s tables, with decorations from Tea Cups & Jewels A Collector’s Shop.
The program consisted mainly of three tea servings, “Fruits,” “Savory” and “Desserts.” Prior to each of those servings, the participants were introduced to the honorees, who spoke a few minutes about their particular ministry, followed by a song from Lisa Clay, a song from Geraldine Heath and a poem written especially for the ladies by Theresa Bledsoe. Serving participants were some of the youth from Clark Memorial: Grace Caldwell, Sparrow Caldwell, Zoe Jones, Dominique Lee, Cydney Lee, Takensnia Dowell and Cara Croom.
Harriett Rogers is currently the Chair of Community Ministries. Clark’s 2016 Afternoon Tea was chaired by Theresa Bledsoe and Constance Wade.
Clark Memorial UMC is located at 1014 14th Ave. N. The Rev. Dr. Herbert Lester, Jr. is the Senior Pastor and the Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Williams is the Associate Pastor.
