Editor’s note: For over 10 years, Dianne Tate has taken a group of teens to the Christian Youth in Action© (CYIA) camp in June for training in how to share the Message of Salvation with children. Those 3-7 teens then served in the summer 5-Day Club ministry in York County, AND were the Coventry ES Good News Club® (GNC) team throughout the school year. The names of Coventry teens changed over the years. Dianne said God just “gave her” new teens each year. When the team lost their supporting church, the teens worked to raise funds for CYIA tuition and to purchase GNC supplies. The Valentine’s Day Tea has been a staple of this fundraising effort.
This is the after-action report written by Dianne Tate about the Valentine’s Day Tea Party held on Feb 8th.
Our attendance was very small this year which was a little disappointing but God showed me that this would be my last Tea Party Fundraiser! When I informed the Headley’s [music ministry] of this decision, they were relieved because it is getting harder for them to come to Virginia from Tennessee due to health issues.
We had 25 total in attendance, counting all volunteers and guests. Our raffle table was very full with all kinds of items and the food table had lots of sandwiches, cookies, cakes, nuts and of course fruit! Everyone enjoyed it and came back for seconds and thirds, which was fine with us.
Dianne gave the welcome and Rob Steiner started us with a beautiful prayer. John Allon Steiner gave a 10 minutes talk on his experience and how CEF helped him grow in many ways! He will be attending John Hopkins in the fall!
Then Dianne announced that this would be her last tea party and asked everyone to buy more raffle tickets because everything had to go. This was the last chance to get your Chip & Nikki Headley CDs!
Chip & Nikki sang praises for about 25 minutes, took a break for raffle & food. Another 25 minutes of music, then break for raffle & more food.
Dianne had some closing words of how God is working in our schools and churches. We are being blessed by so many new Good News Clubs starting, but still much work is needed.
Overall, it was a special time of worshipping and rejoicing in the Lord we serve. Chip & Nikki sang a special parting song for Dianne.
One couple needed a box to take all their raffle stuff home. We, of course opened it up for anyone who didn’t get a prize to be sure to take something.
Here are a few pictures of the event.
John’s parents bottom right. Martha & Dede are just behind them.
