“It’s not the tea that makes teatime special, it’s the spirit of the tea party. It’s what happens when women or men or children make a place in their life for the rituals of sharing. It’s what happens when we bother with the little extras that feed the soul and nurture the senses and make space for unhurried conversation. And when that happens, it doesn’t really matter what fills the cups or holds the liquid.”
~Emily Barnes
Serving tea is such a simple tool to bring people together to rest, relax and take time to encourage one another in the Lord. I have always enjoyed hosting teas since my early teens (Mother’s Day, Christmas teas, etc) with the simple desire to extend hospitality and love.
I have slowly collected a tea cup here and a tea pot there (many coming from Goodwill or ebay actually), but it wasn’t until I read Emily Barnes’ book, If Teacups Could Talk: Sharing a Cup of Kindness with Treasured Friends and selections from Practicing Hospitality and The Mission of Motherhood as I shared last week, that I realized that these tea cups were collected for a purpose and be used to extend warmth and hospitality on many more occasions than these larger gatherings. Why not consecrate these tea cups to the Lord’s use? Why not have a cup of tea with a friend that needs encouragement? Or share a cup of tea with a son or daughter to build your friendship? Tea and scones can make these occasions inviting for your guests.
Tea time is a forgotten art that I hope to stir back up as an opportunity and means through which to strengthen friendships, extend hospitality, and just share the love of Christ through opening my door and sharing my tea cups. It’s not about tea but rather the spirit that it stirs up.
For our Autumn tea, I prayed for a little inspiration, and the Lord faithfully assisted me in creating a fall theme and menu. It is so good to acknowledge my complete helplessness and lack of creativity before the Lord and see Him work! He grants the grace I need time and time again.
Autumn Tea Menu
Spiced Apple Tea (served with cinnamon sticks as stirrers)
Grapes & Oranges
Cucumber Sandwiches (layered cream cheese, sliced cucumber and a dash of white pepper)
Avacado, Bacon & Tomato Sandwiches (these were fabulous! I used a simple pre-made pesto sauce to keep it simple!)
Egg Salad Sandwiches
Pumpkin Scones
Applesauce Bread
You want to join me for tea? My house is open and my friendship’s free! 
Whatever tools God has given you…whether it be tea cups or not…ask yourself, “how can I consecrate these for the Lord’s use?”
“O taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!” (Psalms 34:8)
For more tea and menu ideas, read about our Summer tea.
My mom sent me that book and a pretty tea cup a few year ago! It’s so interesting the history that tea has throughout different cultures. Almost everywhere we’ve been in the world, tea is served as a gesture of hospitality. I really enjoyed this post, Lindsay - thanks!
Shannon
P.S.
You’ve inspired me to start having tea time a few times a year as a means of outreach and encouragement.
Oh how I wish I lived near you. I would love to come over for tea. I think that would be a long commute from Kansas! I will have to start this tradition with some of the ladies from my MOPS group at church. Thanks for the idea.
I made some pumpkin scones this last week. They are so good and since they have applesauce, pumpkin, whole grains, and flax I do not feel too bad giving them to my kids for breakfast.
I smiled when I read your post this morning, because I posted last night about neighborhood hospitality. I love your idea for an autumn ladies tea I’m going to share your post with my readers, and I look forward to hosting a tea soon! Thanks for sharing!
How lovely! And now I’m wishing that I hadn’t sold a whole bunch of my mom’s old teacups at a garage sale quite a few years ago. I did save a few favorites, fortunately.
Oh, this looks so nice and inviting! And your menu sounds delicious! I used to collect teacups, I should get them out of my hope chest. I have a few pretty ones out now, but my daughter would especially love having a fancy cup. A few weeks ago, she and I had a little tea party together while my 2 year old was napping. She just loved it and felt so grown up. We sat down and she tried to act as grown up as she could and said “And how was your day today?”
This is such a great idea to have an autumn tea. I think teas just don’t happen anymore, no one seems to invite people over for tea and to talk anymore. What a great thought to do this!
Oh thank you for this post. I needed this reminder.
This is such a great idea!
Ah, this goes right to my heartstrings! I looove tea time, but it seems every time I bring it up in a social circle, they shoo my idea and start a hyper chatter about how they can’t get by without coffee. It truly is a lost art. Do you experience this? People even tell me they don’t like tea. How can you not like heated water with any desired flavor added unto it? Sheesh.
So lovely-thank you for sharing! I ahve already requested the Emilie Barnes book from the library and look forward to picking it up tomorrow! Your blog always seems to present to me exactly what I need to read and hear! Though teatime may seem so unimportant in “the big picture,” you share EXACTLy why is it IS important in the Big Picture. Thank you!
Hi Lindsay, I have a quick question about the Applesauce Bread. It doesn’t seem to have an option for soaking the flour…do you just make it as per the directions? Since there isn’t any real liquid, I was stumped and hope you have some solution.
Blessings,
Sunny
I personally did not soak this bread, but Laura (the author) said she soaks it with the melted butter and just little bit of buttermilk to make it moist. Soak overnight and then add the remaining ingredients in the morning.