Celebrating spring in style, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church is serving up a traditional Victorian Tea Party this Sunday, from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Guests are invited to dress up in flowing dresses, pastels and their favorite Easter bonnets.
However, casual attire is also acceptable, said Sue Cappucci, one of the event’s coordinators.
“Some people do come all decked out in long dresses and hats, but others are dressed much more casually,” she said.
Along with their tea, last year about 100 women –and men—enjoyed a wide assortment of homemade sandwiches, scones, petit cupcakes, shortbread, fudge and chocolate covered strawberries.
Cappucci said the cucumber sandwiches were “delicious.” The chicken cashew, tuna, egg and ham sandwiches were also appetizing. “This is an all-you-can-eat lunch,” she said with a laugh.
The scones — specially made by a group of talented bakers — will be bite size this year so no one gets too filled up before sampling each of the treats.
“Men enjoy the Victorian Tea as much as the women,” Cappucci said. “For them, it’s heaven. There are lots of chocolate desserts and everyone loves chocolate.”
For the past five years, the women of the parish led this popular fundraiser that supports the church’s outreach efforts. “The years go by and we just do keep doing it,” said Judy Hamilton, a member of St. Peter’s church for 43 years.
She credits Cappucci with spearheading the event’s planning. “Sue has always been involved in the decoration and the baking,” Hamilton said. “She’s been the inspiration for everything.”
Hamilton said the church’s downstairs social hall is transformed into a Victorian garden with plants and flowers loaned by Benedict’s Home & Garden of Monroe.
She also noted that no matter what community event St. Peter’s Church is hosting — the Apple Festival in the fall or Christmas fair in December — everyone in the congregation pitches in.
Cappucci said the proceeds from this year’s Victorian Tea, which they expect to be about $500, will be donated to penniesforpeace.org, an organization founded by Greg Mortenson, author of “Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace ... One School at a Time.”
“This was recommended on all charities’ lists,” Cappucci explained. “All of the donations go directly to the people.”
Members of the St. Peter’s Book Club recently read Mortenson’s book and were impressed by his story, she added.
Although the Victorian Tea begins at 12:30 p.m., seating is continuous. “You can come at anytime,” Cappucci explained. “We expect that people will relax and spend about an hour enjoying the wonderful food. And, we will have plenty to last all day. I don’t want people who come at 1:30 or 2 p.m. to feel like there won’t be anything left.”
Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children, age 12 and under. For more information, contact St. Peter’s Episcopal Church at 203-268-4265.
