The expression, “Three cups of tea” comes from a Pakistani proverb that says, “When you share the first cup of tea you're a stranger, with the second cup you are a friend, and with the third cup you become family”. Strangers, friends and family gathered at St. Luke’s church on April 12th to share some tea, snacks, entertainment and fellowship. Guests could browse the display of teapots and vintage garments before and after the 2 pm event that raised funds for new kitchen items.
Anna Russell, the 7th Duchess of Bedford, is credited with creating this British custom in 1840. To mitigate midday hunger, she called for tea, bread, butter, and cake to be served between lunch and late evening dinner. She began inviting friends to join her and the social ritual gained popularity. Hotels and restaurants offered tea and commercial establishments like teahouses and tearooms emerged.
The St. Luke’s tea party idea came from Karen O’Reilly, who once worked at a teahouse in Red Wing. She, along with Sharon Buck and Bev O’Reilly, spent many months planning the event. They chose the theme, “Dressed to a tea”, drawn from Proverbs 31:25, “She is clothed in strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future”. The Biblical meaning of “clothed” in this verse is not necessarily literal but lent itself well to the event.
Ladies of all ages arrived in finery and hats of modern and by-gone eras. A grand assortment of dresses, hats, shoes, jewelry and other accessories were on display around the room’s perimeter. One table showed off the David and Alfreda Gadient family collection now owned by Carolyn Ryan who inherited the items from her mother, Franny Lodermeier. The majority of other vintage items belong to Karen O’Reilly, who jokingly said she collected them over the past 150 years of her life. Some artifacts were in reality that old but had belonged to her mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Preparing for the event meant finding help for setting up displays, decorating tables, providing and serving food. Young ladies donned aprons over their skirts as they waited on guests seated around elaborately decorated tables. In addition to the collection of teapots on display, each group was provided with a pot of hot water to steep the tea of their choice. Fitting for the afternoon tea, petite sandwiches, fruit and scones were also served.
Entertainment was provided by The Lady Slippers, a female barbershop quartet that includes Deb Stern of Goodhue. The ladies sang several spiritual songs but also swooned over a life-sized cardboard Elvis Presley.
The gathering was well attended and successful. The planners hope to host similar events using different themes in the future.
