It would be easy to put on party clothes and attend the Silver Tea just to feel festive. Happening the Thursday after Thanksgiving, the annual event comes with all the trappings of the season -- decorated trees, beautiful tablescapes, mountains of food, the historic setting of the Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs and the camaraderie of the women of St. James' Episcopal Church, who have been hosting the celebration for 50 years.
Oddly enough, the event was born to show off a silver service -- literally.
FAQ
Golden Silver Tea
WHEN — 1:30-3:30 p.m. Thursday
WHERE — Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs
COST — Admission is by donation
INFO — Email janeacord1941@gmail…
"The tea was started because Irene Castle, a famous dancer, lived in Eureka Springs part time and donated her silver to the church," says Jane Acord, publicity chairwoman for the event. "This inspired the women of the church to share this beautiful silver with the community."
But the party needed a purpose, and the women sought out service organizations to support. This year, for the "Golden Silver Tea," donations will go to Jeremiah Recovery House, described by Acord as "a Christ-centered sober living and recovery home for women who have survived lives subjected to human trafficking, prostitution, addiction, sexual abuse as a child and homelessness."
Vickie Poulson is the founder and executive director of Jeremiah Recovery House, which she says she modeled on the Mary Magdalene House Of Refuge in Memphis, Tenn.
"I started with a vision I feel like the Lord placed in my heart to help women in need," she says. "I had been going in to county jails and prisons and ministering on a weekly basis, and I saw this rotation of women who wanted to get their lives straightened out, but then, when they got out, they went back to same places, the same people, the same things. I started asking the Lord for a place they could get away from all that. Jeremiah 29:11 just kind of leaped off the pages at me."
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
"Originally we just focused on women with addictions, but we found out most of those in need were homeless, had been abused, sex trafficked or involved in prostitution," Poulson says. The Jeremiah House evolved to "a two-year program where we focus on helping them rebuild their lives at a pace that is practical. They're making the choices themselves on how they want to move forward, and we provide the resources."
Jeremiah Recovery House currently has one residential facility in Green Forest and hopes to add homes in Eureka Springs and Berryville. Those who attend the Golden Silver Tea will be able to donate as they come in the door of the Crescent Hotel, then go to the dining room, where six 12-foot tables, positioned in a "U," will be loaded down with food. Acord says guests will be dressed to the nines, some of them in Victorian garb.
"Over the 50 years, the tea has raised thousands of dollars for area nonprofit organizations," Acord says. "But it's still a festive way to start the holiday season."
NAN What's Up on 11/25/2016