EUREKA SPRINGS — The Episcopal Church Women of St. James’ Episcopal Church will soon be busy baking cookies and making treats for their biggest annual event, the Silver Tea.
The tea is not just a time to socialize, but a fundraiser for a Carroll County charity or nonprofit organization. This year’s recipient is the Eureka Springs Carnegie Public Library, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary.
The 44th Silver Tea will be 1:30-3:30 p.m. Dec. 2 in the Crystal Dining Room of the historic Crescent Hotel, 75 Prospect Ave. The public is welcome. Admission is by donation, all of which will go to the library.
“It’s huge,” said church member Lucilla Garrett. “It’s probably the best-known event of the Episcopal Church in the community.”
Guests will be greeted by hosts in Victorian-era costumes and will be able to sample a variety of cookies, finger sandwiches and treats. They will also be served tea and coffee from an heirloom silver tea set donatedby famed ballroom dancer Irene Castle, who was a member of the church at one time. And, in a fitting tribute to the library, the tables will be decorated with books. Local musician John Wiley will play seasonal music.
Afternoon tea has long been a tradition in England, the birthplace of the Anglican church, so the event is a throwback to the St. James’ roots.
“It’s like stepping into another world, into the past,” said Kay Wayman, this year’s chairman.
The Silver Tea has been a tradition in Eureka Springs since the 1950s and helps kick off the Christmas season for the town. It’s also an important outreach for the church women. After all, the city and the church have a long history. The church was the first one founded in Eureka Springs, in 1883, when the city was only a few years old.
The tea is a way for the church to assist charities and organizations. Throughout the years they’ve given away thousands upon thousands of dollars to help sustain good works in their hometown and beyond.Past recipients include Good Shepherd Humane Society, the Salvation Army, Eureka Christian Health Outreach, Habitat for Humanity, People Helping People, the Club of the Ozarks, the Carroll County Senior Center and Eureka Springs Hospice.
The tea used to be held in the church’s basement but the crowds outgrew the space. For many years now, it has been held in the Crescent Hotel and usually attracts about 300 guests from Northwest Arkansas and southern Missouri.
Each year, the women nominate organizations to receive funds and gradually narrow the list to two or three. They talk with leaders of the organizations or charities and then pick one. It’s not an easy decision, said member Cheri Lacock. The tea usually raises around $3,000.
“It’s really hard to convey but I think the Silver Tea remains a favorite because there’s a sparkle generated at that event,” Garrett said. “The good will is really spread.”
Garrett, a member of the library board of trustees, said the money raised this year will be used to refurbish a portion of a building ownedby the library. It’s located adjacent to the historic building and will provide extra space, she said.
Garrett said the library was built with a grant from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. Construction began in 1910 and was completed in 1912. She said the library has more than doubled its circulation in the past few years, and in 2009, patrons checked out more than 83,000 items. The library also offered 202 free programs for thousands of children, teens and adults.
“The library is a beloved institution in this town,” Garrett said.
Members of charities benefiting from the tea play a big role in the event by working alongside the churchwomen. They often help by baking cookies or making sandwiches and also work as servers or on the cleanup crew. Being selected to serve tea is always a big honor, Lacock said.
The day of the tea is a long one. A group from the church arrives at the hotel early in the morning to set up and they don’t leave until the silver is washed and put away that evening.
“It’s a big day, a wonderful day,” Lacock said.
Information is available by calling the church at (479) 253-8610.
Religion, Pages 14 on 11/27/2010