Saturday, June 7, 2014

Amish Church Lunch

For the majority of Amish churches the lunch served after services consists of a special mixed peanut butter we used to refer to as church peanut butter, bread, pickles, and peppermint tea. Those were the four staples though the option was there to also serve cheese, bologna, red beets, and cookies.

Some churches though do things a little differently. My Dad used to share how the church he grew up in served a hot bread and bean soup and apple schnitz half moon pie. Big bowls of soup were set on the table and everyone was given a spoon which they used to eat directly from the bowl.

Another church had the traditional peanut butter lunch, but afternoons they poured five gallon pails full of popcorn down the middle of the tables and everyone sat around snacking and visiting. The lady of the house would spend Saturday afternoon popping all that popcorn. Something I'm glad I never had to do.

The church we lived in when we chose to leave the Amish had a system where everyone took turns bringing something specific to church for lunch. The lady of the house provided the huge casseroles and coffee while the rest of the ladies arrived with salads, cakes, and desserts.

Somerset County Amish don't serve any type of lunch at church though they often invite other families home to enjoy a meal and an afternoon of visiting.

20 comments:

  1. Soo fun !!!! Not so sure that the lunches sound yummy to me tho !!! Seems like you all would be starving by this time, and, something more substantial would be wanted ........ Not a pickle or beet fan, sooo, I would have to go for the peanut butter, popcorn and COOKIES !!! Hahahaha :):) At the church we grew up in, POT LUCKS were the BIG thing, everyone would bring one, and depending on what your last name started with, would be the side dish or dessert you would bring to offer up !!! We always had a ton of food, and, was always fun bringing home leftovers and desserts ...... a wonderful way to learn new dishes, and pick a new favorite to make at your own home ..... FUN memories of things that don't happen as often now a days ...... Our church now is soooo BIG, that we really do not have these as much ...... always fun reading your little stories of days gone by for you xo

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    1. The beets were never my favorite, but I loved the peanut butter. Funny thing....... I have never heard of an Amish person that was allergic to peanuts.

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  2. Your lunches sound yummy to me! We still do potlucks once a month at our church. Each family brings a main dish and either a salad or dessert. It's always a lot of fun.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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    1. Potlucks are fun! Our church still does them occasionally as well.

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  3. What is the peanut butter mixed with, for "Church Peanut Butter"?

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    1. I was, too! Although, I'm the only one in the family who likes peanut butter, so maybe it's futile.

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    2. I was, too! Although, I'm the only one in the family who likes peanut butter, so maybe it's futile.

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    3. Usually it's mixed with Karo syrup and marshmallow cream.

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    4. Not sure about the Karo syrup, but peanut butter + marshmallow cream = Fluffer Nutter!

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    5. I'll be sharing the recipe on my blog before long. There are several variations that people make.

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  4. Our church has many fellowships together ,but most are after our evening service. We are having one tomorrow evening to celebrate one of our youth graduating from high school. blessings friend

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  5. We have a fellowship lunch every Sunday after service. This is the only church service we have each week. One lady plans the menu for the month, posts it each Monday online & the ladies sign in with what they are going to bring. We try to rotate bringing a main, side, or dessert & it always seems to work out just fine.

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    1. It works nice when every one knows what to bring.

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  6. My old Meeting did potlucks only on the Sundays that business was conducted. My current one does it every Sunday, with no attempt at organizing who brings what. Not everyone brings something every week, but it works out. When I bring something, I bring fresh baked bread and honey butter. Fresh fruits, bean soup, chicken or beef soup, salads, and cakes are what's usually available every week.

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    1. Fresh bread and honey butter makes my mouth water!

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  7. Many Episcopalians do not eat breakfast before Communion, which is generally held every Sunday, so there is always something to eat. Some parishes have a full rollout breakfast, with various egg dishes or pancakes. Others will just have pastries (on the theory that things eaten on Sunday are totally devoid of calories, especially if the cookies are broken, so any remaining calories fall out!), with cheese, crackers, and fresh fruit such as grapes for people with good sense.

    Pot-lucks, such as picnics, etc. are run by sign-up sheets. Each family notes how many people will be coming, and what they plan to bring, so we don't end up with too much of one thing.

    During Lent, we have soup suppers every Wednesday. One meat based and one vegetarian, with Italian bread, PBJ for the kids, and maybe apples or oranges for dessert. There is always a skit or a short film, with a discussion to follow.

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Thank you so much for taking time to comment. I love hearing your thoughts.