A Valentine Tea to Remember

Article and Photos by: Rebecca Luse

 

On Friday, Feb. 12, 2016, Grace Fellowship Church held an event called the Valentine Tea. Ladies bought tickets for $12 and in return were treated like royalty. As soon as they walked through the door at 6pm Friday evening they were greeted by smiles while a gentleman dressed in a suite escorted them to their tables. Each table was unique. Some were covered in beads, silver, and candles while others had bouquets of flowers, ribbons, and paper hearts. The tea got under way with scones and tea, all served by attentive gentlemen, while harp music played in the background. Next came sandwiches and dessert which was then followed by a dance performance that a group of younger girls from the church put on. Later a raffle was called awarding many of the ladies that came out with different gift baskets and books while still others received free flowers later. Finally the moment everyone was waiting for had arrived. We had been promised a talk about forgiveness by a well known author and we were not disappointed. The guest speaker, Kitty Chappell, gave a heartfelt talk about forgiveness and shared both happy and sad moments from her life. She smiled as she told us one of the many things her life had taught her about forgiveness, “Withholding forgiveness from those who have wronged you because you think it will hurt them in some way is like taking rat poison and hoping the rat dies.” Her words had a way of making everyone stop and think. Mrs. Chappell stepped down from the stage drawing the evening to a close. Goodbyes and thank yous were said while many ladies and gentlemen stayed behind to help with the cleanup, everyone knowing that this year’s Valentine’s Tea would not soon be forgotten.