My thirteen year old daughter Megan is a bit of a finicky eater. It is not that she doesn't like food, it is just that she doesn't enjoy a lot of different foods, and she is definitely not adventurous when it comes to new menu items. Imagine my surprise when recently I witnessed Megan eating lamb. Well a little lamb! I was impressed, but what really amazed me was how she came to try it, without any one's urging. Let me tell you the story.
Megan belongs to a wonderful group of close-knit teens at our church who got too old for Sunday School, but who enjoyed being together, had wonderful teachers, and who were keen to continue making a difference.* In September the ten of them became a part of a group called the Bible Cooking Class. Every second Saturday they gather in the kitchen at our local church. The spend a couple of hours learning to cook new foods, and reflecting on various Bible Stories. After every class Megan comes home with a sample of the latest dish, and offers an enthusiastic rendition of her afternoon at the church.
A couple of weeks ago the group catered a wonderful meal to their families and close friends. It was "a feast inspired from the Bible," they said, and included some of the dishes they had been working on the last couple of months: unleavened naan bread, sweet butter they churned themselves, olives, artichoke hummus, potato latkes, Noah's rainbow salad, and a Passover lamb. It was delicious. The young women had us take part in a hand washing ritual, sat us at brightly decorated tables, introduced each dish, served us, and entertained us with a game of Bible trivia. It was a beautiful evening, and it only cost $10 per person! What was even more wonderful, the money raised, after paying for the groceries, was donated to the United Church's Nepal Relief effort, and was matched by government funds!
I love that my daughter has an opportunity to continue to be an active part of the church, and I delight that she and her friends are learning how important, and satisfying it is to make a difference in the world. They are learning a lot, and growing up to be faith-filled and confident young women. And for Megan she is even expanding her tastes - literally. I still can't believe it ... Megan had a little lamb ... and the church helped make it happen. Thanks to you too Julie and Roseline! Your leadership and example to our kids is inspiring!
* This group, for the last number of years in Sunday School, helped educate our congregation about the Mission and Service Fund, planned creative fundraisers, and raised significant amounts of money for Mission. On Mother's Day, for instance, the Sunday School, and this older group, hosted a dessert and coffee house after worship. They raised nearly a thousand dollars!
Megan belongs to a wonderful group of close-knit teens at our church who got too old for Sunday School, but who enjoyed being together, had wonderful teachers, and who were keen to continue making a difference.* In September the ten of them became a part of a group called the Bible Cooking Class. Every second Saturday they gather in the kitchen at our local church. The spend a couple of hours learning to cook new foods, and reflecting on various Bible Stories. After every class Megan comes home with a sample of the latest dish, and offers an enthusiastic rendition of her afternoon at the church.
A couple of weeks ago the group catered a wonderful meal to their families and close friends. It was "a feast inspired from the Bible," they said, and included some of the dishes they had been working on the last couple of months: unleavened naan bread, sweet butter they churned themselves, olives, artichoke hummus, potato latkes, Noah's rainbow salad, and a Passover lamb. It was delicious. The young women had us take part in a hand washing ritual, sat us at brightly decorated tables, introduced each dish, served us, and entertained us with a game of Bible trivia. It was a beautiful evening, and it only cost $10 per person! What was even more wonderful, the money raised, after paying for the groceries, was donated to the United Church's Nepal Relief effort, and was matched by government funds!
I love that my daughter has an opportunity to continue to be an active part of the church, and I delight that she and her friends are learning how important, and satisfying it is to make a difference in the world. They are learning a lot, and growing up to be faith-filled and confident young women. And for Megan she is even expanding her tastes - literally. I still can't believe it ... Megan had a little lamb ... and the church helped make it happen. Thanks to you too Julie and Roseline! Your leadership and example to our kids is inspiring!
* This group, for the last number of years in Sunday School, helped educate our congregation about the Mission and Service Fund, planned creative fundraisers, and raised significant amounts of money for Mission. On Mother's Day, for instance, the Sunday School, and this older group, hosted a dessert and coffee house after worship. They raised nearly a thousand dollars!