| Keep It Simple! Do not try to simulate a posh English | | | | Maybe the church has been decorated for Sunday |
| Afternoon Tea, with silver and all the trimmings. Most | | | | Service. Perhaps you could use those, replacing them |
| churches have the facilities and the cups and saucers, | | | | again for evening service if you have one. Just make |
| plates and spoons right on hand. | | | | sure everyone can see each other across the table. |
| Consider Your Budget. | | | | If you don't have any flowers, ask if there are any |
| With the economy the way it is, many churches are | | | | gardeners willing to cut a few from their gardens to |
| suffering from low donations right now, so it may be | | | | bring. Perhaps you could add a card "Donated by...", |
| necessary for each lady to bring one food item - half | | | | this is sure to open a line of conversation on |
| a dozen sandwiches, or some small cakes and | | | | gardening! |
| perhaps a teapot. | | | | Light Food - Sandwiches and Small Cakes is the Key! |
| Make a list, to make sure there are no duplications. | | | | A proper English afternoon tea will have the crusts |
| Tell them the essence of an afternoon tea is not to | | | | cut off the sandwiches and arranged in an attractive |
| provide a full meal! Each person should have one or | | | | display on trays or platters. If you don't cut the |
| two small sandwiches, a couple of slices of cake and | | | | crusts off, don't worry! |
| a few cups of tea. That' is all that will be needed. | | | | The essence of this gathering is to bring your church |
| How Many Are Coming? Make sure any interested | | | | ladies together for a relaxing hour or two, for |
| lady signs up. You may have a system of emailing | | | | conversation more than anything. |
| within your church, the church secretary may be | | | | Teapots & China. If you have a large machine for |
| happy to email members. | | | | boiling water great! (called a tea urn - but you don't |
| If you are a small church, a simple list posted on the | | | | put tea in it!) Get that going. You will need one |
| noticeboard will suffice. Always consider any diabetics | | | | medium sized teapot between 4 ladies. You may |
| or ladies with food allergies, have a check box on the | | | | have to ask some ladies to bring a teapot or perhaps |
| list for Diabetic/Special Requirements? and some food | | | | donate one to the church kitchen. |
| items can be made accordingly. | | | | If it is a large gathering, it's probably easier to use |
| Make sure you note the day and time - and an | | | | good teabags, not loose tea. One bag per person per |
| ending time. | | | | pot. If it's too strong you can always add more hot |
| Ask the ladies to wear their best hats! | | | | water. If it is black tea, always make sure the water |
| If your budget is small, have the ladies bring a baked | | | | is boiling! It will not taste good if it isn't made with |
| item or make some sandwiches. Would You Have A | | | | boiling water. |
| Special Speaker Attend? She will be the guest of | | | | Make sure all the teapots are washed out (not in the |
| honor, of course, and not asked to bring anything! | | | | dishwasher) before use. Have somewhere to dump |
| She will sit at the head of the table. | | | | used teabags. |
| It's best not to make place cards, let the ladies seat | | | | Then you will need a salad plate per person, a fork |
| themselves. | | | | for eating cake, a cup and saucer and a teaspoon. |
| What Will We Need For the Tables? First and most | | | | Place a pitcher of milk on the table for those who |
| importantly, you will need table cloths, white or pastel | | | | take their tea with milk and some sugar and sugar |
| preferably. If you do not have them, you can use | | | | substitute, and some sliced lemon.That's pretty much |
| clean white bedsheets safety pinned around the | | | | it! |
| tables, leaving enough room for the ladies to slide | | | | Stray Men! You know there's going to be some stray |
| their knees beneath! Buy some disposable table cloths | | | | men around! Hovering around the sandwiches like |
| and place mats if all else fails. Place mats will help | | | | bees! |
| absorb any accidental spills. | | | | Tell them if they want to be fed, they must act as |
| Provide a large paper napkin to the left of each place | | | | butlers, and if they do a good job, they can have a |
| setting, with a fork placed on top. | | | | piece of cake! |
| Decorate the Tables. Flowers, flowers, flowers. | | | | |