Crestview church's Mother's Day tea benefits Polish pastor

Grace Bratton, 92, the oldest mother present, accepted the Mother’s Day bouquet at First United Methodist Church of Crestview's second annual Mother's Day Tea.

CRESTVIEW — Fifteen women at First United Methodist Church hosted FUMC's second annual Mother’s Day Tea on Saturday, but the benefits will surpass an enjoyable weekend, particularly for a Polish pastor. 

With 120 tickets sold, organizers reached their goal: to sell out the event and help someone in need.

"Proceeds from this event will go to the pastor of our sister church in Ilawa, Poland," church member Anne Campbell said. "Pastor Kris came to visit our church eight years ago; and shortly upon returning home, he fell and broke his knee.   

"After that, his leg has broken several times and (he) has had five surgeries and is facing another. He is at a critical point in his knee and leg condition and is in desperate need of financial assistance."

For the tea, each of the 15 hosts set their round table with fine china, Depression-era glass dishes, hand-painted porcelain dishes and crystal pieces over 100 years old.

The menu included chicken salad in a croissant; ham, cheese and lettuce roll-ups; white chocolate and raspberry scones; cucumber dip with Ritz crackers; chocolate-dipped strawberries; brownies; lemon and orange muffins with lemon glaze; water; and hot tea.

"We were blessed with Pastor Michael singing two beautiful songs for the ladies, and Pastor Sam (also known as Pastor Slam or Roller Derby Queen) blessed us with an encouraging message on motherhood and then played her bass drum (cello)," Campbell said.

Grace Bratton, 92, the oldest mother present, took the Mother’s Day bouquet. Four other mothers in attendance were in their early 90s.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview church's Mother's Day tea benefits Polish pastor