Love, Laughter & Sharing: Tea raises funds for outreach

Vancouver, Church of the Good Shepherd: Despite 100 degree heat, 200 women gathered in their hats on June 4 for the 7th annual Love, Laughter & Sharing women’s tea & celebration for outreach. The event raised $23,000 to benefit the Council for the Homeless “housing relief fund” to prevent homelessness, as well as a global cause to support and educate young women in Africa through Global Sojourns Giving Circle. The event, organized by the tea committee at Good Shepherd, has outgrown the church parish hall, so was held off-campus at Green Willow Ranch. The event included raffle tickets, tables decorated beautifully with china plates, tea-cups and silverware (set by table hosts); many friends and family members were invited, which truly made the tea a community-wide celebration. Keynote speakers Charlene Welch, Carla Feltz and Heidi Johnson-Bixby shared their passion about the needs of the local and global causes. The women were encouraged to say to one another “You are blessed to be a blessing.” May the ripple effect from this tea continue to bless, encourage, shelter, educate and bring hope to those locally and globally. Author: Saran Warne, Tea Committee Chair.