Sterling Service Tea Ministry

About Us

The Sterling Silver Tea Ministry was started in 2004 by Christ Church United Methodist member Trudy Wheeler.  The formal teas are a ministry for ladies who are current cancer patients, cancer survivors, or those who have been dealing with a friend or family member’s illness.

 

Wheeler was inspired to begin the tea ministry after attending a church workshop on putting spiritual gifts into action.  A life-long tea lover, she saw this as a way to bring those touched by cancer together to share and support each other.  She was immediately joined in the effort by church members Patty Groot, Ella Barrickman and Jennifer Arington.  The team has since grown to more than 40 members, including men and woman, and several from beyond the church family.

 

The teas, held quarterly, are themed and have inspirational speakers who often have personal experience with cancer.  The ladies are served at tables with formal tea settings, and are offered a variety of tea sandwiches, sweets, and tea.  Often they are given momentos of the event to take home, such as knitting needles, potted plants, tea magazines, bookmarks, notecards, and bath products.

 

The tea ministry has experienced rapid growth and has been a model program for other churches around the country.

 

Wheeler is currently working to develop materials that will help other churches more easily replicate the program so that more ladies can be served through this growing ministry.