Cross of Christ Lutheran Church

We Love the Annual Meatball Supper!

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Sometimes it is interesting to just sit back and try to bring up pictures of the past. That happened to me this week with the “Fall Supper”. I’m not quite sure how old this supper is but I know - before we moved into the new Cross of Christ building, once a month, on a Friday, the “Ladies Aid” put on a supper that included hot dish, jello, pickles, buns, and cake. That Friday night meal was totally convenient because families could eat at church and then head to sporting events. I think the cost was like 50 cents for adults and less for kids. It was EAT OUT night!

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It wasn’t long after we moved into Cross of Christ that the BIG supper began. By big, I mean that every woman in the congregation was automatically a member of serving groups as soon as they came of age. I‘m not sure what coming of age meant but, for me, I came of age as soon as I got married. I guess we had no choice.

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I was 21 and not a fantastic cook when I received a call that the “Church Supper” was coming up and would I bring an apple pie. (That hasn’t changed.) To say the least, I was panicked! My mom made great pies, but I never took an interest in learning the skill and now, it became a challenge to save face. Back in the early sixties, grocery store frozen crusts nor frozen pies were non-existent. To create a pie required a rolling pin and skill using it. As I recall, I spent a week making apple pies until I finally thought I had an acceptable end result that would meet the approval of the pie chiefs of the Cross of Christ serving groups. I evidently had work to do because when I picked up my pie plate only one piece was taken out.

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Now, 60+ years later, men and women work at the supper, both preparation and serving. I don’t have to bring a pie -too old- I just have to contribute $ and eat the fabulous food. Pretty amazing that a congregation can continue this tradition and going from a “Ladies Aid” supper in the downstairs kitchen of St Peter’s Lutheran Church (a.k.a Early Childhood Building) to a well-organized “drive through” snaking to the back of Cross of Christ where 795 were served.

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Here are some of the unofficial stats:

Went well!  

Great volunteers, served up 795 meals at $12ea. A few of those were free for kids who worked.
450 lb potatoes, 380 lb meat, 30 gallons gravy, 90 butternut squash, 140lb frozen green beans plus rolls, salads and donated  apple pies.

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Kudos to all those who contributed and Kudos to a small town church who still hangs on to some traditions.

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JW