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May 22, 2011

Confirmation and the Stephen Ministry

It’s been a busy year for the Pollock family at our church.  My youngest daughter will be confirmed in November, and she’s currently taking a ten-month preparation course to learn about our church and her personal faith. Each confirmand is working with a mentor from the congregation, who discusses his or her faith journey and encourages their young partner in their own journey.  My daughter is blessed to be mentored by our lovely friend Catherine, who practices music therapy with the elderly.  She is a gentle, thoughtful woman who has many spiritual gifts to share.

She also has many culinary gifts to share!  The two of them teamed up in our kitchen yesterday to make brunch for our two families.  The gorgeous food pictured at the top of this post was part of the delicious meal they prepared.  I know that Rachel is in great hands as she and Catherine get to know each other on many levels this year.

It has also been a busy time for me, as I’ve been studying for the past six months to become a Stephen Minister. This program is a lay caring ministry, which provides Christian care to people who are in crisis or facing a life challenge.  I had been thinking about joining for years, but this year I knew the time was right. My friend Carrie and I have been in classes since November learning to care for those we’ll have the privilege of serving.  And last Sunday we were commissioned as new Stephen Ministers.  I was honoured to offer members of the congregation a blessing after communion, including Andrew and the girls.

The day before we were commissioned, Carrie and I met at the church with the rest of the Stephen Ministry team.  As a group, we baked a dozen loaves of bread which were served in the following day’s communion. Bread is featured in many Biblical passages, from the Feeding of the Five Thousand to the Last Supper.  And Gandhi has said, “There are people in the world so hungry that God cannot appear to them except in the form of bread.”  I’m happy to share this simple bread recipe with you.
Irish Soda Bread
(from The Spirituality of Bread by Donna Sinclair)
1 ¾ cup buttermilk
1 egg
1 tsp baking soda
3 tsp baking powder
1 ¼ tsp salt
2 cups unbleached white all-purpose flour
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup raisins (optional)
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl, including raisins if you want them.  Beat buttermilk and egg together and stir into the flour mixture.  Turn out onto lightly floured board or clean counter and knead briefly until smooth.  Divide the dough in two, shape into flattened rounds, and place on baking sheets.  With a very sharp knife, slash an X across the tops.  Bake 35 to 40 minutes.

Filed Under: Bread

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Julie says

    May 22, 2011 at 11:20 am

    What a beautiful thing to do! Congratulations!!! Your brunch looks lovely.

    Reply
  2. Jess says

    May 22, 2011 at 12:42 pm

    How wonderful for your daughter, and congratulations to you! The brunch picture is just gorgeous, and the bread is a type I've been wanting to try for a long time. It keeps slipping from my radar, so thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
  3. Ruth says

    May 22, 2011 at 12:59 pm

    Congratulations Beth! What a wonderful thing to become a part of. Truly, a way to "give back" to the community.

    Reply
  4. comfortablydomestic.com says

    May 22, 2011 at 1:22 pm

    Congratulations, Beth! What a blessing you will be to others.

    Reply
  5. Valerie says

    May 22, 2011 at 1:28 pm

    What a delicious array of food! It's been too long since I last made Irish soda bread.

    And congratulations, Beth! Way to follow your heart on something so lovely. 🙂

    Reply
  6. Carol says

    May 22, 2011 at 1:33 pm

    That is so lovely. Congratulations, Beth! The brunch looks so good!

    Reply
  7. Sweet And Crumby says

    May 22, 2011 at 1:58 pm

    Congratulations to you both. The bread looks so soft and delicious.

    Reply
  8. Joanne says

    May 22, 2011 at 2:28 pm

    What a wonderful way for your daughter to gain a new perspective on her faith, by spending time with her mentor this way. Best wishes to her, and congratulations to you too …

    Reply
  9. justine says

    May 22, 2011 at 4:04 pm

    my mom is part of the Stephen Ministry at her church … congratulations, and best wishes on what is a remarkable journey!!

    Reply
  10. Angie's Recipes says

    May 22, 2011 at 4:12 pm

    Congratulations Beth! The brunch looks so great!

    Reply
  11. Pacheco Patty says

    May 22, 2011 at 4:16 pm

    Congratulations Beth to you and your family;-)
    I love Irish Soda Bread and really should make it once in awhile!

    Reply
  12. julie says

    May 22, 2011 at 4:59 pm

    Congratulations! So much exciting news for your family. Your daughter is definitely a budding chef; all her food looks delicious!

    Reply
  13. Jennifurla says

    May 22, 2011 at 6:33 pm

    you and your family sound like such great serving souls, that group you joined sounds like it is a blessing for you.

    Reply
  14. Rita says

    May 22, 2011 at 6:52 pm

    You and your family are living a wnoderful experience; congratulations! I have never made soda bread before, but now I am tempted to try it.
    Rita

    Reply
  15. Belinda says

    May 22, 2011 at 6:58 pm

    Wow – congratulations to both of you! Beautiful bread.

    Reply
  16. allieksmith says

    May 22, 2011 at 9:24 pm

    How awesome that your youngest daughter has a mentor in the church! What lovely food they prepared too 🙂

    Reply
  17. Lydia K says

    May 22, 2011 at 11:59 pm

    Congratulations! Thanks for the recipe, too.

    Reply
  18. Sarah says

    May 23, 2011 at 2:35 am

    Hi Beth! Thanks for stopping by my blog and for your nice note about my novel, The Violets of March! I hope you get a chance to read it. I LOVE Irish soda bread. I can't wait to try this recipe! xo, Sarah Jio

    Reply
  19. tenaciouslyyours.com says

    May 23, 2011 at 2:55 am

    Congratulations and blessings to you in your new ministry. I will pray for your strength as you are being a strength and comfort to others.

    And it was so sweet to read about your daughter and her mentor – what a wonderful way to connect, learn and share 🙂

    Reply
  20. LDH says

    May 23, 2011 at 12:01 pm

    Your heart of serving and providing care is most precious. Exciting to read of the growth and leading for both you and your daughter. The brunch looks delightful 🙂

    Reply
  21. thejoyofcaking says

    May 23, 2011 at 1:23 pm

    Beth, Congratulations on your new endeavor. I think it's amazing that you have devoted yourself to such a commitment. Best wishes to both you and your daughter! I'm sure your bread was welcomed by all.

    Reply
  22. Barbara says

    May 23, 2011 at 3:11 pm

    My congratulations, Beth! I am terribly impressed as your work is going to touch so many people. Thank you for doing such an important job.
    And your daughter must be thrilled!
    Good luck to you both!

    Reply
  23. michelangelo in the kitchen says

    May 23, 2011 at 3:19 pm

    God bless you Beth and your household! What brings to mind are the words of the Lord " Whatever you did for one of the least of my brothers and sisters, you did it for me." Thanks for the wonderful reminder! Cheers!

    Reply
  24. Janet Johnson says

    May 23, 2011 at 5:35 pm

    Congratulations! What a neat way to serve others. 🙂

    Reply
  25. Victoria says

    May 23, 2011 at 6:16 pm

    Congratulations, Beth! I'm glad you made a decision and were successful in your studies 🙂 Also congrats to your daughter in doing so well in preparing for her confirmation.

    Reply
  26. Emma says

    May 23, 2011 at 10:20 pm

    What a lovely way to give back to your community, I hope it all goes well for you and your daughter :):)

    Also, I really need to learn to make soda bread as it's part of my Irish heritage.

    Reply
  27. 5 Star Foodie says

    May 24, 2011 at 12:49 am

    Congrats for you and your daughter! And what a yummy Irish soda bread there!

    Reply
  28. thelittlespork says

    May 24, 2011 at 11:20 pm

    Congratulations, to you and your daughter! Your bread recipe looks so easy to make I'm tempted to try it out now!

    Reply
  29. shaz says

    May 24, 2011 at 11:56 pm

    Congratulations to you and your daughter Beth 🙂 Great bread!

    Reply
  30. Medeia Sharif says

    May 25, 2011 at 2:39 am

    Congrats to you and your daughter! And that food looks yummy.

    Reply
  31. Kristen says

    May 25, 2011 at 7:58 pm

    It sounds like a lot of great adventures are ahead of you and your family. Congratulations.

    Reply
  32. lapetitepancake says

    May 25, 2011 at 8:37 pm

    Congratulations on your decision! It's great to know there are all sorts of avenues of care for people in crisis. I'm sure you'll be a rockstar at it!

    Reply
  33. Jane says

    May 25, 2011 at 8:45 pm

    Isn't it great to watch our kids take part in these special milestones? This is a lovely post, Beth. I love the symbolism of bread, and the fact that it takes time and a meditative sense of calm to prepare. (I also think that that particular quotation from Gandhi, which I am quite familiar with, is one of the most moving statements that I've ever encountered.) For my church, I bake the little communion loaves that the minister breaks when he introduces communion, and also small loaves for shut-ins and any other folks who have a special need for a meal. Sometimes I feel humbled and honored to be able to do this. And, the fact that people have been baking bread since antiquity makes me feel connected to the past in an enduring way.

    Reply
  34. Sue says

    May 28, 2011 at 6:47 am

    Congrats Beth, on your new spiritual endeavors!

    Reply

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