Loading...The 9th annual Divine Delights Freezer Sale was held at the Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist in York, Pa. on Nov. 19, 2011 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.
A 3rd annual Gourmet Bake Sale was held at the same time. The proceeds of these sales benefit the Outreach Ministries of the parish, providing about one fifth of the annual outreach budget. The Freezer Sale is a unique combination of community building within the parish and support for ministry to the “world” in York.
Divine Delights is the name used by the St. John’s Freezer Sale chefs for the wonderful array of appetizers, soups, entrees, breads, accompaniments, and desserts that are available. The idea of a freezer sale was born of busy lives. To ease the burden of cooking every night for busy families, church members looked for ways to have “homemade” gourmet food available in less time with less work.
The food is made from fresh ingredients and local produce whenever possible.
The pastry team, affectionately dubbed the “Holy Rollers”, hand makes and individually rolls all the crusts for the pies and quiches. Cooking for the Sale is undertaken in the commercially equipped church kitchen which must pass inspection by the State Health Department. Cooking activity can be seen at the church every Saturday morning and some weekdays from July through November.
The planning, shopping, cooking, and packaging are carried out by a large church-wide group of volunteers. Parishioners participate in the project for love of cooking, the Saturday morning fellowship, and to support St. John’s Outreach Ministries. The Spirit led work-in-community gives rise to much energy, creativity, problem solving, humor, gift discovery, and relationship.
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The Freezer Sale evolves and improves every year as new and favorite recipes are identified, organizational and sales approaches are evaluated, and feedback is gathered from customers and cooks alike. Publicity efforts welcome the community of York to St. John’s and identify the variety of ministries through which the Church makes Christ present in the world.
Deacon Jan Brown is deacon at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, York, Pa.
