The Women’s Ministry Committee of Ebenezer Mennonite Church hosted their annual Christmas Tea on December 1. The evening was filled with delicious treats, many rounds of holiday-inspired flavors of tea, and enjoyable laughter and conversation among the nearly two hundred women who attended the event.

The committee planned the tea over many months, and they decided that this year the theme of the event would be the gifts given in honor of Jesus’ birthday. 

As has become a tradition for the Christmas Tea, a holiday-themed children’s story was read as a focal point of the evening. This year, the story The Sparkle Box written by Jill Hardie was read by Lily Shadle to a children who came up on stage during the event. Lily said “I really enjoy reading to the kids, giving them the opportunity to get on stage, and allowing them to feel special, even if it's only for a few minutes.

That's one of the things that I love about the book is that the whole family, regardless of age, can do things to allow Christ's light to shine through them.”

When women purchased tickets for the event, they were encouraged to invite their friends and bring a special teacup and saucer to use at their tables. The women came dressed for the occasion and laughter filled the auditorium at Ebenezer as the women talked and shared while they were served by the men of the congregation.

Lisa Shadle, the chair of the Women’s Ministry Committee shared that, “it was a wonderful night as we prepared our hearts for the coming of our Lord and Savior. We were able to provide the ladies of our church family and community both young and old with some of Christ's hospitality, amazing food, a wonderful story, lots of tea, and a brief message about Jesus Christ. We hope to encourage everyone to be a light to others and continue to share the love of Jesus this season and all year through."

Tickets go on sale for this event in November of every year. For more information about this event or other events at the church, call 419-358-8588 or email [email protected].