photographs and article by Marilyn O’Leary, Evangelism Chair, All Saints, Ponchatoula
On December 3, we invited all ages in the community to a pre-Christmas tea our church, All Saints, Ponchatoula. We are a small congregation and had only the vision of a member who had attended one in New Orleans. Our ladies made sandwiches, cookies, and munching veggies, fixed tea and hot chocolate, and gathered up Christmas candy, set party tables, and sold tickets. We started with the tea party, then active play, a story, dessert and more tea or hot chocolate, more active play and a game. We also had a table with crayons and the outline of a teddy bear for youngsters to create their own. We were amazed that each child brought his/her own teddy bear (although one brought his Pokemon because he didn’t have a bear) and we gave each child a little bear to take home. Our storyteller has antique bears (one from1904) which impressed the adults more than the kids! Attendees included grandparents, parents, neighbors, and many kids. The highlight for me (the elf) was the little girl who broke out crying when her mom said it was time to leave. That told me that our tea was a success.