All God’s Daughter’s Tea
A Story from Grace Church, Menomonie
The tables at Grace Church had never looked quite so elegant.
On Saturday, May 17th, the parish hall was transformed for the first-ever “All God’s Daughters Tea.” Though there had been threats of rain earlier in the week, the skies cleared just in time, allowing soft spring light to stream through the windows. Inside, the air carried the mingled scents of steeping tea, lemon bars, and fresh flowers— arranged lovingly in vases over lace covered tables.
Attendees for First “All God’s Daughter’s Tea” at Grace Church, Menomonie
Each guest brought a favorite teacup, and the collection that adorned the tables was a patchwork of family stories and personal taste. Delicate china with faded florals sat beside sturdy handmade mugs and cups shaped like blooming tulips. White gloves, though optional, made a cheerful appearance, as did a variety of hats—sunhats, fascinators, and even some colorful headbands.
In customary Episcopal fashion, the tables overflowed with sweet and savory fare. There were cucumber sandwiches, scones with jam and clotted cream, deviled eggs, lemon and chocolate treats. The conversation was just as plentiful—old friends catching up, new connections forming, stories passed across teacups like heirlooms.
The heart of the afternoon came with the guest speaker, the Reverend Rachael Stuart, who shared reflections on “Keeping the Faith.” Her message centered on the ways women often forget or set aside their own belovedness, their identity as daughters of God. Her words were gentle but powerful, and many in the room nodded with a kind of quiet recognition—an unspoken understanding that faith, like a teacup, can be both fragile and enduring.
As the tea wound down, the gathering closed with a communal reading of A Christmas Cup of Tea by Tom Hegg. Though the poem speaks of a holiday visit, its message felt timeless. Even the smallest gesture—a shared cup of tea offered reluctantly—can open the door to connection, healing, and the unmistakable presence of Christ in another.
The last dishes were cleared, hats removed, and gloves tucked away, but something lingered. A warmth beyond the tea itself. A reminder: every woman there was seen, known, and deeply loved—a daughter of God, gathered around the table.
Deacon Joe McConohy and Connie Usiak are credited with supplying the story details and photo work. Thank you for sharing this moment with us!
