Thought #5

CHARITY WINE TASTING : FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2011
From the Wine Tasting Committee

The Second Annual Annunciation Charity Wine Tasting will be on Friday, March 25, 2011.  You’ve probably heard about the date, you’ve probably heard about the signup sheet, you’ve probably heard about the tickets… but you also probably have some questions, so we thought it might be helpful to offer a few questions that we have heard and give a few simple answers…

What is the Annunciation?
Every year the church celebrates certain feasts on certain dates.  The Annunciation is celebrated on March 25 (if that date falls in Holy Week or Easter Week, the feast is “transferred” to the first convenient date after Easter).  The Annunciation celebrates the announcement by the Angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary that she will have a son, Jesus.  Nine months later we celebrate Christmas!  On the Annunciation many familiar hymns and readings are used: the classic hymn “The Angel Gabriel from heaven came” is always sung on Annunciation!

Why are we doing a Wine Tasting on Annunciation?
One of the things Father Matt began when he arrived as rector was to celebrate certain Holy Days with a big annual celebration.  For example, on September 29, we have a church service followed by an Oktoberfest celebration (Oktoberfest officially begins at the end of September); on Ascension Day, celebrated 40 days after Easter, in the late spring, as the days are getting longer and people are getting outside more, we have a church service followed by a Grilled Steak Dinner; on Candlemas, which is celebrated in the deepest darkest part of winter at the start of February, we have a church service and then we have a HOT chili and chowder competition!  Since we are generally stuck inside in March, but not quite as likely to be snowed in, it seemed like an ideal time to attach a wine tasting to a church service.  The basic idea is to offer fun events that are at church, involve church, and not necessarily churchy.  Good People, Good Times, Good Shepherd! 
What time is church?  What time is the Wine Tasting? 
The Church service begins at 6:00 PM.  It will be a Sung Holy Eucharist.  We have generally had 35-50 people at our weeknight Holy Day services.  The Wine Tasting begins at 7:00 PM.  Last year we had about 70 people at the Wine Tasting.  You can come to either events or both, depending on your schedule!

Is there Child Care?  Is this a Family Event?
Child Care for children of any age is available beginning at 5:55PM, and continuing until 9:00 PM.  In addition, we plan to show a movie (Toy Story 3) in our Guild Room for kids of all ages.   That way you can enjoy the church service and you can enjoy the charity Wine Tasting!  Food is available at the Wine Tasting and food will be provided for children in the Nursery (please sign up so we have a good idea who will be coming).  If you have kids – and you want a night out that covers all of your bases (good church, fun people, child care, not too late bedtime, delicious food, charitable cause) then this is for you!  It’s the definition of a perfect Family Event!

How much does it cost? 
The church service is free.  As always, there will be a collection at the Offertory, and some of the collection will likely be used to pay for the cost of child care and music for the evening.  Child care for the evening is also free.  The Wine Tasting is an event designed to raise money for the church and for charity.  We are asking $30 minimum donation per adult (kids are free).  You can buy a ticket in advance or you can pay at the door.  We hope that many people will buy a ticket in advance so we have a better idea of how many people are coming. 

What is a Wine Tasting?
We are thrilled that our friends from Suburban Wine in Yorktown will be providing wine for the evening.  At a Wine Tasting, adults are given a glass and move around the room sampling different types of wine.  In general each sample poured into your glass is a little more than a few sips.  Every table is equipped with a “pour bucket” so that those who only want a single sip can enjoy the flavor and then pour the rest into the bucket.  Water is available to refresh your palette, quench your thirst, and rinse out your glass!  Passed appetizers and other food are also available.  In general a Wine Tasting is a lot more like a culinary journey than a trip to a local pub, the idea is to learn about different wines, and try very small samples to get an idea of what different wines taste like. 

Can I buy wine?  Do I have to buy wine?
You can buy wine, but you are not required to buy any wine!  The wines that are tasted will be sold at the event.  These wines are always discounted, so you are getting a good deal on top of everything else!  You can pay by cash or credit card.  Because of the nature of the event, you will have to pick up your wine a day or two later at Suburban Wines in Yorktown.  Good Shepherd gets a percentage of every single bottle that is sold at the event.  Last year a large portion of the money we raised came from our percentage of those bottles and cases that were purchased.  This is a great time to buy a few bottles for future dinners or gifts because each and every bottle sold raises more money for the church and the charity!

What Charity does this support?
All proceeds from admission fees and wine sold will go to support the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Keon Center in Yorktown.  The Keon Center is a non-profit agency that has served the developmentally disabled since 1954. 

Can I bring friends who don’t go to church?
Yes!  You can bring friends who don’t go to church.  You can bring friends who don’t know what a church is.  You can bring everyone you have ever met.  The worship service is “attached” to the Wine Tasting, but that doesn’t mean everyone can or will want to go to both events.  Last year many of our friends came for the Wine Tasting at 7:00 PM.  We are thrilled to have them here and we welcome their support! 

When is the Wine Tasting?
Friday, March 25, 2011.  The service for Annunciation begins at 6:00 PM.  The Wine Tasting follows at 7:00 PM.  All are invited.  Child care is provided for both events, between 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM.