The annual United Church Women's group (UCW) fall roast beef supper on Sunday, Oct. 30, was a resounding success, with nearly 400 people coming out to eat.
The doors leading to the Stettler United Church's hall were foggy, as the heat from the delicious supper and the many people gathered within and the chill without caused the condensation on the glass.
According to Letty Docherty, chairperson of the UCW, the fall dinner has been "going on for decades and decades."
The supper of roast beef, mashed potatoes, turnips, carrots and gravy was prepared by members of the UCW, while volunteers from the congregation donated salads for sides, and pies for dessert.
"This is one of the church's major fundraisers," Docherty said, noting that while the UCW has a few outside interests it supports, such as the theological colleges of St. Andrew's and St. Stephen's, the majority of the money is placed back into the church coffers for the upkeep, repairs and maintenance.
"Our highest number, a few years ago, was about 500 or so," Docherty said. With just shy of 400 attendees, the supper was right on target.
The meal, which was free for kids under 10, cost $15 for adults and $7 for youth ages 10-13.
After all the expenses were cleared, Docherty estimates the fall supper brought in about $5,000.
The evening would not have been possible without the assistance of the nearly 40 UCW members and the other members of the congregation, who donated their time, expertise and effort to make the day work.
"Everybody's pretty good about pitching in," Docherty noted.
As members of the UCW age, move away or retire from the group, there's space freed up for new members. New blood is needed if the group has to carry on the tradition – right now, it's all hands on deck, and the UCW has to enlist help from the congregation to get the supper complete.
"We would love to have more members of the UCW," Docherty said. "There's no age requirement, you just have to be a member of the church."
The group holds two meetings, one during the day and one in the evening, ensuring no one is excluded due to work or other responsibilities.