Christmas Memories Dinner

Christmas memories dinner. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

I've always said that my church is covered up in talent and this is especially evident one night a year at the Christmas Memories Dinner. The women of the church decorate tables and serve as hostesses, while the men of the church serve the meal. There's music, giveaways and a featured speaker. This year, motivational speaker Christine Martinello guided us through Christmas 9-1-1, helping us to choose what's important to our families during the season.

The mission of this dinner is to prepare our hearts and minds for the Christmas season. To enter into it with peace, love and joy, and to share that with our families and friends. Every other year, I host a table, and this is my off year, so I brought along my camera and took pictures of the lovely and creative decorated tables. If you're ever invited to First Presbyterian's Christmas Memories dinner, arrive early so that you can see each beautiful table.

Christmas Memories dinner. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Christmas memories dinner. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Christmas memories dinner. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Christmas Memories Dinner. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Christmas memories dinner. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Christmas memories dinner. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

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Christmas memories dinner. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Christmas memories dinner. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Christmas Memories Dinner. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Christmas Memories Dinner. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Christmas Memories Dinner. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Christmas Memories Dinner. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Christmas Memories Dinner. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Christmas Memories Dinner. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Christmas Memories Dinner. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Christmas Memories Dinner. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Christmas Memories Dinner. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Christmas Memories Dinner. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Christmas Memories Dinner. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Christmas Memories Dinner. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Christmas Memories Dinner. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Christmas Memories Dinner. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

For many of us, it's a treat to be served a meal that we didn't have to cook. It's even sweeter when it's on antique bone china.

Christmas Memories Dinner. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

And speaking of sweets, dessert was a choice of a Red Velvet Brownie (and I've got to get this recipe!)

Red Velvet Cake Brownie. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

or cheesecake.

Cheesecake. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

The Barbershop Quartet 129 and Counting entertained us with songs both secular and sacred. This was "In the Still of the Night."

129 and counting Barbershop Quartet. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Christmas Memories Dinner. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Did I mention that the men of the church served the meal?

Christmas Memories Dinner. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Many thanks to Lucie Morris and Cheryl Buck who organize this event each year. And to all the table hostesses and the men who served the meal, the entertainment and speaker, thank you for a lovely evening. Bring on Christmas, I can handle it!

Text and images copyright 2012, Lucy Mercer.