The Pot Pie House- Part Two

In a previous post 

we told the story of the pot pie house-

at Bethel Lutheran Church- Claremont, NC

the-pot-pie-house

Here is a bit more of the story

 of the once a year weekend.

 When it all comes together

 as a service project.

With good-eatn' too.

Making the dough.

In the fuchsia shirt is Brenda Hollar-

 mom to Rev. Eric Hollar-

Associate pastor at Bethel Lutheran.

Laying the pots

Dough- chicken

Dough-chicken

Setting the pots on the fire.

The wood-burning kiln is stoked and hot.

600 were served before

 the evening seating.

Then there is carry-out too.

Oh, it is good to rest the weary feet.

A lot of hard work with family and friends. 

(Final serving counters 800+)
What a grand event.

Till next year!

Erika Quinn Radke- Bible Journaling

Erika Quinn Radke and husband Ryan and 

their two sons.

A bit of her Bible Journaling story from Erika:

I am enjoying Bible Study more than ever, 

now that I have started 

drawing and journaling in the margins of my Bible.

 I am now looking 

forward to the time I spend in my Bible  

and thinking about the

verses I will focus on, as I go about my day.

Not only am I studying 
my Bible more frequently,

 I am also concentrating 

on specific Scripture more intensely 

and for longer periods of time.

While I illustrate a page, 

I contemplate the words on that page, 

keying in on a few verses.

It is similar to how some people focus 

on a passage of Scripture while 

participating in Lectio Divina-

 sacred reading. 

(practiced also by Martin Luther)

Bible journaling has lit a spark in me. 

My three favorite things are :

Christ, family and art.

Bible Journaling allows me 

to combine my favorite things 

and that is so special.

My Bible is becoming personal,

 an album of faith and family. 

My bible

is now a place I go to relax,

have fun, create,

 listen and spend time with God.

Check out this process video that Erika 

has posted to see how she teaches weaving 

in her Bible to illustrate some specific Bible passages.

Bible Margin Weaving

Erika is the Communications Director
 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Springfield, VA 
and her husband Ryan 
serves as the Digital Coordinator for the Southeastern District- LCMS.

The Pot Pie House-Bethel, Claremont, NC

Bethel Lutheran Church- Claremont, North Carolina 

celebrated their 145th Anniversary this past weekend.

Serving in ministry at Bethel Lutheran Church
are Pastor Mike Ramey
 and Pastor Eric Hollar.

A crisp fall day with blue skies.

A wonderful welcome.

The first thing we learned 

about was the pot pie house.

Would you like to take a tour?

So, we were in for a history and culture lesson. 

The pot pie house was built in 1951.

 Wood kindling ready to stoke the fire.
This is the 91st year of the pot pie dinner.
 It started in 1924.

Before the house was built, the dinner 

was cooked over the open fires outside.

Rain could always make that a challenge.

 The kettles ready for layering
 chicken, broth and dough.

Rev. Mike and Laura Ramey- tour guides. 

 The brick smoke stack
 for the wood burning kettle hold.

Quite the set-up 

for the pot pie kettles.

Some news clippings 

telling the history of the dinner.

Pickin' chicken

 Pastor W.P. Hunsucker was the pastor
 when the dinner was started.

 Around the center chimney.

Some photos through the years. 

The pot pie dinner is served with cole slaw,
 pickles, cranberry sauce 
and home-baked cakes and cookies.

Judy Boston shared with us 
at a breakfast brunch
some of the story of the pot pie dinner.

Nellie Reitzel is the mother of Judy Boston.

Nellie Reitzel designed the pot pie house
 that was built in1951.
A later addition was completed in 1975.

It takes all hands on deck
 for this amazing event.

Long lists of sign up 
for helpers for the pot pie supper.

This event normally
 is set up to serve 1,000 dinners.
One year they advertised 
and 1500 showed up.
The rule is now- don't advertise.
But, if I were anywhere near Claremont, NC
 on Oct 24, 2015- 
I'd just have to stop by for pot pie take-out.

2015 DCMARVA Fall Workshop- La Plata, MD

A wonderful group gathered

 in September for the 

2015 DCMARVA  LWML Fall Workshop 

at Grace Lutheran Church- La Plata, MD.

Greeters to All and Welcome

 Thanks for the team

 of helpers for this event! 

Hamzatu Deen and Jennifer Lester

Connie Denninger- happy to be at this event

L to R- Doris Simmons, Jackie Renner, Pat Sammons, Beth Ogne and Rosa Ammons.

Opening conversations about being 

neighborhood and digital missionaries

Being present in both real life

 and online relationships

Finding the blessing of grace for others

Connecting in new ways- 

when we don't have all the answers

Going where the Holy Spirit

 is already stirring things up-

Visual prayer

Bible Journaling

Led in worship time with 

Pastor Charlie  and Betty Long

For the sake of the generation to come next-

are we willing to be risk takers 

for the sake of the Gospel?

It was a delight and privilege to speak

 with all those gathered for this day together.

To be encouraged and equipped.

Because our Lord does not call the equipped.

 He equips the called.

Blessings,

Connie

Paula Weiss- Southern Region

A Legacy of Faith and Love 

Paula Weiss

My husband, Dick and I were able to enjoy a vacation this summer with our families. Everyone was healthy and happy (for the most part) and we are thankful for this blessing. Soon we will have our oldest 2 children, 2 more grandchildren and our great-granddaughter join us for a few days. Blessing upon blessing!! Our special joys are found in our grand-children and great-grands. We love them so very much and because our time is limited every year we pour our-selves in them as best we can. 

I love going to DQ with them or seeing their eyes light up when they receive a gift from us. But what can we give them that is really lasting?? What will ―stick with them? How can we make a difference in their lives!?? 

How can grandparents have a lasting effect-
beyond a Grandparent's Day?

How about leaving a Christian legacy for your grandkids (or kids for that matter)?! Here are some suggestions that I’ve dreamed up, or read about  (or my friend- Jenny Long has shared with me) that will help you pass along your faith life and values. 

• Share one or two special Bible verses with your grandchild each time you get to tuck them in at night. Let them know why they are special to you and why you choose to pray it over them. 
• Take them to a garage sale or rummage sale. Talk about ―earthly goods vs. ―spiritual goods.   Use the verse from Isaiah 40:7—―The grass withers and the flower fades but the Word of the Lord stands forever.
• Paint rocks! (water colors or acrylic) Find the rocks together and then paint them into insects, or fruit, or other nature objects or scenes. This is a great time to talk about God as our ROCK-- Psalm 18:46-- The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be the God of my salvation! 
• Teach them to share Jesus’ love with others. Design greeting cards with encouraging verses (Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. I Peter 5:7) OR—bake cookies or treats and bring these to someone who needs en-couragement or a friend. 
• Pray for them! Tell them you are praying for them! Tell them what specific things you pray for—like asking God to protect them from harm or giving them strength and courage throughout their school days, or praying that the Holy Spirit will continue to grow them in faith and love!   OR keep a prayer journal WITH them…recording the requests, answers and praises.   
• Make a time capsule. If you do this before they are 10 years old…it can be opened in 12 years or more when they graduate from college. Put in a couple of things they currently enjoy (Ninja Turtles or their favorite sport, or the candy they cur-rently enjoy) Be sure to include your blessing based on your prediction for their future. (i.e.—Sally—you are strong-willed! I pray that God uses that strength in your will to accomplish His purposes for your life! I can easily see you becoming someone who defends others because you won’t back down. You get the job done!) 
• Plan a service project together.  Visit a children’s hospital and bring a few stuffed animals to share.  Read stories to the elderly in a nursing home (beginning readers love to share their talents). 

There are so many more ideas that I know you already have. Whether you are a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, godparent or special friend—you can share your legacy of faith and love with child. 

God bless you—as you bless them! 

...But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. 

Joshua 24:15

Paula Weiss serves at Messiah Lutheran Church
in Charlotte, North Carolina

 as Director of Family Life and Youth.

She is also newly elected to the

 Board of Directors for the Southeastern District.

Lead Where You ARE- 2015 -- Wellspring Event

The Church of Saint Andrew- Silver Spring, Maryland

2015 Lead Where You ARE -

Wellspring Women's Conference

October 3, 2015

Ordinary Moments

Extraordinary Grace

Wonderful opening worship music

Gathering together old friends

 and making new ones

Certainly a day of telling the story of

 God's Glory-

Our Joy

Special Guest Speaker -Jane Wilke 

lead us through memorable stories that highlighted

the crux of leading

Some time to connect over lunch

Sandra Poyner leading a Breakthrough session-

 Leadership and Prayer

Connecting Prayer and Craft

 for the Creative Spirits workshop

The Women's Leadership Team-at Wellspring--

You ROCK!

Here is the link to see a whole lot
 more photos from this wonderful event
 in the Southeastern District just for women-
the photo stream for Church of St. Andrew-
https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#A1JtdOXmJ00O9v