Women's Ministry- Afternoon High Tea

by Renate Thomas

A time was had at the Women’s Afternoon High Tea event!

The clear, bright blue sky set the tone for a joyful time of connection, and the brilliant sun rays illuminated the CFC lobby for the perfect backdrop to the occasion.

Tables were artfully decorated with each table host’s unique reflection of tea time. No two tables were alike. Elegant tea-ware, fresh fruit, colorful flowers, and the book, “Love Does” were just some of the decor used to create the high tea vibe.

Tasty treats were aplenty. Mini-sandwiches and cakes, macarons, pastries, and gluten-free delights pleased every palate present. Each treat was a perfect complement to the abundance of teas available – black, green, white, herbal, latte-like – whatever the heart desired.

Women of God filled the room wearing their high-tea best, adorned in vibrant spring colors, floral prints, dainty gloves, and even fascinators delicately perched on their crowns. And let’s not forget the most beautiful accoutrements, the smiles. Smiles were front and center as attendees embraced old friends, made new ones, and marveled at the beauty of where they would spend their time of fellowship.

Event hosts welcomed the guests and declared in prayer, “It’s tea time, a time of refreshment.” And refreshing, it was. After breaking the ice, tea-timers conversed about what they did for a living, where they were from, and how they were connected to CFC. Some shared personal experiences, and others offered a kind word. The conversations were both calming and uplifting, with recurring eruptions of laughter.

And then, the surprise finale. Trang Ha, Founder and Creative Director of WhiteSummer Flowers & Decor floral design studio, amazed attendees with live creations of Ikebana floral arrangements to be raffled as prizes to attendees. Ikebana is the traditional Japanese art of floral arranging that emphasizes harmony between nature and humanity and values minimalism. Ikebana is more about expression, balance, and intentionality and less about decoration. You could hear a pin drop as the room watched Trang Ha create one Ikebana masterpiece after another. Each waited with breathless anticipation, hoping to hear her name called in the raffle. The arrangements were exquisite. Three women received a Trang Ha original as a prize, and two hosts were also blessed with Ikebana creations in appreciation for the event.

What a momentous occasion of connection and relaxation. As women gathered in His name, He indeed was in the midst of them.