Either you have one, love it and use it all the time, or you have one and it is still sitting in the box because you don’t know what to do with it, or you are thinking about getting one— but for sure you have heard about the Instant Pot.  

To help you get to know your Instant Pot, overcome your fears and get cooking, Central Christian Church  (Disciples of Christ) held a class Saturday morning on Instant Pot Cooking.  

The Instant Pot is the 3rd generation programmable pressure cooker that can also slow cook, sauté, boil eggs, cook pasta, beans, rice and more. It speeds up cooking by two to ten times, using up to 70% less energy and producing nutritious healthy food. 

It is the best thing since sliced bread for today’s busy lifestyle when there is often no time at the end of the day to prepare time-consuming recipes.  Whatever the reasons for its popularity, the Instant Pot has gone viral.

Class Instructor Mary Quick quipped “Currently, the three most googled topics on-line are religion, porn and recipes for the Instant Pot,”

During the two-hour class, Mary demonstrated a variety of foods that can be cooked at a fraction of the normal cooking time using the Instant Pot. 

The delicious and nutritious bean may be one of the top reasons home cooks are interested in owning the appliance.  Imagine coming home on a fall or winter day and having a pot of beans or bean soup for dinner.  It is possible with the Instant Pot even if you didn’t pre-soak.

Mary cooked pasta and it turned out “al dente,” hard cooked eggs slipped from the shell and rice was perfectly steamed without being gummy.

She shared tips on timing such as allowing time for the pot to come to pressure and the difference on quick or natural release when pressure cooking time has finished.   She went over cautions and safety tips to prevent burns and other accidents; the number one reason people are intimidated by “pressure cooking.”

Following the class, everyone enjoyed chicken, beans, rice, veggies, potato salad and deviled eggs—all prepared in the Instant Pot. Dessert was Trader Joe’s Ultimate Vanilla Wafers filled with Instant Pot Dulce de Leche.

If you are interested in joining a future cooking class at Central, email shelia0806@sbcglobal.net to be put on the mailing list. The classes are “pay as you may” with proceeds going to community outreach and charities supported by the Disciple Women’s Ministry.

Welcome back Disciples Women!  After a break for the summer, the women of Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) are ready to resume monthly meetings where learning is fun, friends are made and community outreach is the mission. The meeting is Tuesday morning. September 4 at 10:30 in the church parlor.

The fall line-up is exciting with professional speakers sharing the lessons “Called for God’s Purpose.”

Rev. Debora Morgan Stokes, Senior Pastor of East Dallas Christian Church will kick off the season with the biblical character Lydia from the lesson: Positioned for Purpose, the story of Lydia.

“I chose Lydia because she was a rarity in her time—a woman who was a successful merchant during a period when women rarely had access to economic power,” Deborah said. “She made her money by excreting the color ‘purple’ from shells which she sold to Rome’s elite. Not only did Lydia make money—she was generous with her earnings, sharing with the first Christian Church, supporting the apostle Paul.”

She took time away from the busyness of her life to worship God, hear the gospel, become a believer in Christ, transform her entire household and offer hospitality to Paul and his traveling companions. In short, she was positioned for purpose, just as women can be today.

Following the program, lunch will be served in Fellowship Hall.  The “Back to School” menu will include Sloppy Joe Sliders, Tossed salad with Paula Deen's Poppy Seed Dressing and fresh apple desserts.

Now that school is back in session, moms and grandmas take some time from your busy schedule and treat yourself to Disciples Women.  You do not have to be a member of Central Christion Church or any church for that matter to join this friendly, progressive-thinking group of women for a great time.

The meetings are free, open to the public and the cost for lunch is $5.00 per person.  Come and bring a friend.  RSVP to shelia0806@sbcglobal.net for a lunch head count.

“How to define your core brand values and why you should” was the topic of discussion at my church’s weekly meeting.  Pastor Ken Crawford of Central Christian Church asked the question in relation to our church mission and our role in it.   We went through an exercise of typical church stereotypes— what we like about church and what we dislike.

I brought the same question up at lunch the following day. 

Holly Puig quickly answered that the camaraderie among the congregation and genuine feeling of family was what stood out about Central.  The four other ladies, all members of Central, agreed that a friendly, welcoming attitude, inviting all without judgement, is an important part of “church” as a religious organization.

Where were we during this conversation?  Having lunch at Paula Deen’s new restaurant “Family Kitchen” in Fairview, Texas eating “down-home” cooking, family style.  

My point is that the Disciple Women, and men, don’t just have fellowship on Sunday morning or during a monthly meeting.  Our friendships extend into the week.  Central and the Disciples Women’s Ministry build relationships.

Our first meeting of the 2018/19 year of Disciples Women’s Ministry will be held on Tuesday, September 4 at 10:30 a.m. in the parlor at Central.

Rev. Deborah Morgan-Stokes will be the guest speaker. Deborah is the Senior Pastor of East Dallas Christian Church and she will present “Positioned for Purpose, the Story of Lydia” from Just Women’s study guide “Called for God’s Purpose.” 

Following the program, lunch will be served in fellowship hall.  The cost for lunch is $5.00 per person. 

Moms and Grandmas, now that school is back in session, treat yourself and make new friendships.  You do not have to be a member of the Christian Church, or any church, to discover all that Disciples Women has to offer.  Plan to visit and bring a friend.  For reservations call the church office at 214-526-7291 or email shelia0806@sbcglobal.net.  All are welcome!

What is sanctuary drama?  Gossip about the person seated in the pew behind you or who brought the tastiest chicken casserole to the church pot-luck?  Neither, according to Central Christian Church Music Director, David Aston. 

Sanctuary drama is the use of dramatic interpretation to deliver a liturgical message.  It may be the “acting out” of a scripture, dramatic reading, liturgical dance or the incorporation of film and theater in conveying a message.

“When I was in high school, I was invited to attend ‘Government in Action’ in Washington D.C. and the United Nations in New York. During my stay I visited the Foundry United Methodist Church. The service began with 'Out, Out, Damn Spot,' from Shakespeare’s McBeth, David recalled.  “As a youngster from Texas, I had never seen orheard such narrative in church before— but it made a lasting impression.”

Music, dance and acting are some of the greatest teaching tools that we have available to us and several members of the church are talented musicians and actors with teaching credentials.  Central is also home to Dance Idea, a contemporary dance studio.

Members of Central’s talented chancel choir met Wednesday evening in the home of Tim Caffee and Brad Montano to discuss incorporating those modes of expression during Sunday morning service to enhance the worship experience.

Central’s vision is to be an inclusive church home to a diverse congregation. It is a long-time supporter of the arts, one of the first churches in Dallas to house a fenced, off-leash dog park and a church that provides extensive community outreach programs addressing today’s social and charitable needs.   

David and Assistant Music Director, Tim Caffee, always welcome young talent to perform in the sanctuary during Sunday service.  If you would like to audition, contact the church office at 214-526-7291 and ask for David or Tim.  

Morning worship is at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary on Sunday or 9 a.m. the first and third Sunday of the month in the dog park.  Come dream with us. All are welcome.   

Due to the high cost of living, unemployment rates and unforeseen expenditures, many families are struggling financially.  “Back to school” is an exciting time in a child’s life, but it often means a financial burden on parents and many cannot afford the basic school supplies that are essential in helping their children be effective students. 

Additionally, schools across the country are facing budget cuts and cannot subsidize supplies that are needed by students and faculty.  

Economically disadvantaged children are “Children at Risk.” DISD has many schools in low-income neighborhoods with a high number of students on free meal plans.

A school supply drive is an easy way to help families and to have an impact on public education. Plus, if you no longer have kids at home, it’s just nostalgic fun to shop for pencils, crayons and notebooks, again!

Supplies collected by Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) will be delivered to Maple Lawn Elementary School.  Once at Maple Lawn, they will be distributed between Maple Lawn and Rusk Middle School.

You may drop supplies at the church office at 4711 Westside Dr.  through August 12, Monday thru Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Here are items needed:

• Crayons • Composition notebooks (WIDE RULE) • Pens • Pencils • Colored pencils • Glue sticks • Paper  (WIDE RULE loose leaf, manila or colored construction) • Scissors • Tissues  • Paper clips (large) • Tissue paper • Rulers • Markers • Dry Erase Markers • Sharpies • Erasers • Page protectors • Disinfectant wipes • Index cards • Hand-held pencil  sharpeners • Hand disinfectant • Band-aids • Copy paper  •Highlighters and • Backpacks.

The dollar stores and many other stores are loaded with merchandise for school right now, but if you are not up to shopping, you may make a monetary donation, noted school supplies, and the church staff at Central will make the purchases for you.  Thank you for helping kids succeed!