By Paul Ballenger

John Feldhacker told me on Sunday that the church is finally going to replace the percolator urns we have with some new equipment. He was excited because he is embarrassed when showing potential new members the church and they have to walk buy the old urns. Since I sell coffee equipment, I offered to help and sell anything I have at cost.

The bad news I have learned is that the church has only budgeted $500-$600 for the purchase of new equipment, which will only buy more of the urns like we are currently using. Nobody buys urns anymore - urns are 1950’s technology that boil the coffee in order to brew it - coffee should be brewed at 195-205F and not be continually heated. The good thing about urns is that they come in designer colors such as avocado and harvest gold.

To bring us up to 21st century coffee-brewing standards and handle the volume we need would cost $1500-$2100 - I don’t have a clear idea of our volume usage, so the numbers are not exact. The brewer would be able to hook up to a filtered waterline in the kitchen and would brew into 1.5 gallon thermal dispensers, which could be carried to the current urns locations around the church. We could throw in some fresh cream carafes. It could also be programmed to brew smaller batches for use during the week.

Since the church doesn’t have the money budgeted for the equipment, and we have many coffee drinkers in class, is this something Cornerstone would want to fund for the church (above and beyond normal pledges and contributions)? I realize it is a lot of money, and there are needier causes, but it would be an investment that would last for 15-20 years and potentially help with new members.

Let me know your thoughts - and keep in mind that the next step will be sourcing better Fair-Trade coffee.

Thanks,

Paul Ballenger

The Gourmet Market is a part of West End’s Children’s Ministry annual fundraiser, the Family Fellowship Festival.  The Family Fellowship Festival benefits the Weekday Preschool program at West End.  The funds are used to provide the wonderful equipment found in our classrooms, in the gym and on the playground.

We are moving Gourmet Market to the fall rather than the spring – thinking folks would appreciate the opportunity to purchase casseroles before the holidays.

We are looking for cooks – folks who can commit to preparing casseroles from the recipes we give you.  We will also give you a shopping list of ingredients, clear directions, and the pans in which to freeze the casseroles.

We need to know NOW if you are willing to be one of our cooks!  If so, please send an email to Susan Sandlin - ssandlin@westendumc.org -  letting us know we can count on you.  Also download and print the volunteer form - click here to download, complete and return it to the folder at Margaret’s desk.  We will have supplies to you by the end of this week.

If cooking is not your favorite activity, you might like to volunteer to sell casseroles or donate funds for the supplies.  If so, please complete and return the volunteer form to the folder at Margaret’s desk.

Thanks for your help and support in advance!