Pentecost

 Sunday is the feast of Pentecost , the birthday of the church  and an excuse for a party.

Here are a few menu suggestions:

Nine fruits Salad - I did not think anyone needed a recipe to make a fruit salad just include 9 different types to represent the fruits of the spirit.

Seven Layer Dip - to represent the gifts of the spirit.

The colour for Pentecost is red so any Red food is suitable. I have served Duck which is the traditional food for Whitsun and served it with a red sauce. I have also done Chicken Cacciatore.

Other seasonal foods at this time  are gooseberries, elderflower , new potatoes, peas and asparagus.

For dessert how about Flame cupcakes or have a look at Catholic cuisine for lots of ideas for cupcakes.

I usually make a large sponge cake and fill it with cream and red fruits. The top is decorated with 12 candles to represent the disciples and the tongues of fire, 9 strawberries to represent the fruits of the spirit, 7 sugar roses or flowers to represent the gifts of the spirit.

Belated post for Ascension Day.

Last Thursday was Ascension Day and I did not get around to writing the intended post.

 We usually go for a walk up a hill and spend some time considering the story of Jesus' ascension into heaven and what this means for us now. Picnic food is the order for the day and in recent years I have made a chocolate cloud cake by Nigella Lawson.

This year I  find that we are needing to review our traditions , the children are getting older and have schedules and commitments of their own and we have found that, living in the UK, life has a different rhythm. There  just does not always seem to be space in the diary for activities that we once did year to year.

So , that has been and continues to be our challenge - how do we celebrate the seasons of the church year with our pre teen and teenage children in a way that is meaningful and relevant to our current lifestyle? I have always maintained that the liturgical lifestyle has to be flexible and adapt to current family situation and I am now being challenged to let go of some cherished traditions and look for new ways to celebrate. It makes me sad as well as excited as this represents a different season of family life.

Last Thursday I did manage to remind the family of the significance of the day and we ate Cloud Pudding for dessert. Being around the table together is an important part of our family life and provides us with opportunity to talk and discuss important matters of life and faith, as well as to laugh and discuss the frivolous.  Food I believe is an essential element in worship - Jesus is often revealed to us in the breaking of bread.

As long as we continue to eat together we will continue to worship together.