Labor of Love

Labor of Love

In the early morning hours, long before the golden rays of the sun peek across the horizon, Austin and Gloria Miller are hard at work. They head up the committee preparing the Easter Morning Breakfast served annually at United Bethel Mennonite Church. 4:30 a.m. finds them already busy finishing up their preparations. While Gloria, or Glo as she likes to be called, is pulling large pans filled with delicious Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole from the refrigerator, Austin is turning on the industrial ovens. As the casseroles are baking, they turn their attention to filling vases with tulips and placing them on the tables.
           At 6:00 a.m. when the rest of the committee arrives. They ladle the fruit salad prepared on Friday evening into hundreds of tiny cups. They fill the huge coffee pots and set them to brew. Several committee members slice the Danishes and quick breads that complete the menu.
           By 7:45 The Easter Sunrise Service that began at 7:00 is coming to an end. Lines of hungry people are beginning to form by the serving tables. Sleepy eyes light up at the sight of the delicious food ready for them to eat. The line at the coffee table curves past the serving lines as pot after pot is emptied into waiting cups.
             Louise Troyer is happy to be back from Florida in time for the annual breakfast.

            “I enjoy the fellowship,” she says as she savors her next sip of coffee.

By 8:30 a.m., the basement is empty. All that is left are the empty casserole pans, several scattered fruit cups and a smattering of quick breads left on trays. The coffee decanters are empty. Glo’s final report on the morning’s activities is 165 people served along with more than 84 cups of coffee.  The committee is exhausted but happy to see their hard work has paid off.