Disciples Women of Central Christian Church met Tuesday morning for their February meeting as they continued this year’s program series, “Women of Central, Meet Women of the Bible.” 

Central member Valda Dracopoulos recounted the touching story of the bleeding woman  (MARK 5:25-34) who had suffered for years with an affliction that could not be healed.  When she heard about Jesus and then saw him in a crowd, she came up behind Him and touched his cloak, because she thought, “If I just touch His clothes, I will be healed.”

And Jesus said to her, “Daughter, thy faith has healed thee.” 

Valda’s account of the woman’s suffering and isolation was both emotional and inspirational.  At the end of the program she gave each member a small container of grains of mustard seed to remind us all to keep our faith. 

Following the presentation, Valda was presented with a book of poetry inspired by the biblical story, “The Gospel of the Bleeding Woman” by Katie Manning. After the healing touch of Jesus, Manning’s collection progresses to a more contemporary woman and her spiritual journey with poems such as “After the Rain in Central Park” and “God’s Sense of Humor.” 

One of the goals of the program series, “Women of Central, Meet Women of the Bible” is to identify biblical women with today’s woman— dealing with the issues and concerns that we face each day. 

After the program, the women enjoyed a delicious cheese soup and spinach salad in Fellowship Hall. 

The purpose of Disciples Women is to provide opportunities for spiritual growth, enrichment, education and outreach.  The organization supports both global and local charities.

The annual chili cook-off was held at Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Sunday afternoon and it was hotter and spicier than ever.  Crock pots filled with home-made chili lined the tables in Fellowship Hall waiting to be sampled by the panel of judges pre-selected by this year’s head judge, Barbara Williams. 

At the event judges taste and grade the entries to decide the year’s winners while the rest of the congregation gets to enjoy a hot meal sampling the many varieties of chili offered. 

One might be curious about the qualifications of these decision makers so I asked each of the judges why they think they know chili well enough to give it a “thumbs up” or a “thumbs down.” 

“I have been a die hard football fan since I was a kid—tailgating at Denver Bronco games growing up and later Oakland Raider games in the Bay Area. Chili is a staple during football season and I've tasted plenty and know a good one when I see, smell and taste it!” Brad Montano said. 

Lois Leftwich was born and raised in Texas and was first introduced to a chili cook-off in Austin. “From straight-up pure beef chili to some of the incarnations with a variety of garni, I’ve tried and loved them all. I always made sure my Yankee children enjoyed and appreciated a proper bowl of chili, often having to search out the ingredients in New York or Connecticut. It's good to be home where people know what chili should be,” Lois said. 

Tim Caffee shared “I travel a lot with my job.  As a result, I tend to know cities by their restaurants.  In short, I LOVE to eat.  Like a warm hug, chili is the ultimate comfort food! I think I am qualified to judge.” 

Sounds like Barbara did a great job choosing foodie aficionados to judge the throw-down. 

Having previously hosted a TV travel show, Barbara, too, has had the opportunity to sample dishes and flavors from around the world. 

Though there is strong evidence that chili originated in Texas as with most cuisines a variety of cultures influenced the spicy meat concoction.  Working and traveling to many areas might just be a boon when judging chili. 

One of the first questions when it comes to chili preference is —beans or no beans?  

Some say beans are fine in chili up North, but not down South. Nine pre-registered entrants helped make up Sunday’s chili cook-off and while five pots contained beans; the remaining four did not.  

Some chili cook-offs restrict the use of beans and other fillers in competition. However, Central Christian Church abides by no such doctrine— leaving the choice to the individual. 

For the most part, the “beans or no beans” preference in the cook-off entries did not necessarily support the “where you came from” theory often associated with the fibrous addition. 

Becky Riggins, Gus Dracopoulos, Margaret Wilson and Danielle Hull all hail from Texas or the southern states and did not include beans in their chili.  I’m from Texas— a native Dallasite— and I did put beans in my chili because I like the addition of fiber cutting down on the consumption of red meat.  Other exceptions were Mississippi’s Michael Rains who likes to experiment with ingredients and included beans in his chili; and David Aston, a native Texan, who added beans to his chili.  The other two entrants who included beans were Kathryn Livengood from the mid-western state of Missouri and Jim Clark, born in Oklahoma, but who moved to Texas at a very early age. 

The answer to the question, beans or no beans, will likely never be answered to everyone’s satisfaction as many folks believe that chili is an egalitarian meal and there is almost no wrong way to do it, as long as you like what you made.  

Sunday’s judges seemed to like what I made as I was the first place winner of this year’s chili cook–off in the “traditional” category.   I went home with a coveted custom made winners apron and chili powder from Penzey’s Spice Company. 

Joseph Joiner was first runner-up and “Honorable Mention” was awarded to Becky Riggins. 

“We just loved her chili,” judge Lois Leftwich said when she announced the winners. 

A new “creative chef” category was added this year and first and second place went to Katheryn Livengood for her beef and sausage chili and to Gus Dracopoulos for smoked brisket chili. 

Judging by the way the congregation returned for seconds and thirds refilling their tins of chili, there was no bad chili in the church.  

The chili cook-off is an annual fund-raiser sponsored by the Disciples Women for the charitable work the women do in the community.  Their outreach includes activities such as a winter coat drive for children of low income families, filling Santa stockings for residents of Juliette Fowler Communities and donating money to a variety of charities and missions here and abroad. 

There is no charge to enjoy the chili dinner, complete with all the trimmings from condiments to cornbread and a cupcake smorgasbord for dessert.  However, donations are accepted and the result proves each year to be a win-win for all

Re-gifting!  Believe it or not if you google “re-gifting” there are numerous articles about the controversial practice such as “Re-gifting 101,” “Re-gifting Etiquette,” “Proper Re-gifting” and so on. 

Once considered tasteless and a social faux pas, re-gifting is now accepted by the Emily Post Institute. However, there are definitely rules to follow when re-gifting to keep from appearing gauche or hurting someone’s feelings. The rules address such “no-no’s” as re-gifting an item that has been made especially for you or monogrammed for you. Do not re-gift perishable foods and do make sure that the gift is appropriate for the recipient. It is also suggested that the gift be re-wrapped before re-gifting. 

Re-gifting has gained in popularity since comedian Jerry Seinfeld coined the phrase more than a decade ago. But, if you are still not convinced that re-gifting is an “okay” practice Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has gambled and won the white elephant dilemma. Those unwanted items become prizes for a Sunday afternoon of “After Christmas Bingo.” 

The 2nd Sunday in January, members bring the Christmas gift(s) that they would like to recycle to church.  Remember, “One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.”  

Following worship everyone gathers in fellowship hall to enjoy snacks (those huge bags of caramel corn and tins of cookies that came for Christmas) along with a game of bingo. When you bingo, you get to select a wrapped gift from the bingo booty. 

It may sound corny to some, but many folks look forward to the annual event.  Take Mary Chris Gibbons—she loves it. A retired school teacher and current jewelry maker, Mary Chris finds beauty in stuff that others may consider junk.  An avid Elvis fan, Mary Chris has added to her Elvis cup collection at after Christmas bingo and last year she went home with a coveted glass bottle.  

Some of the prizes this year included a rubber duck tape measure won by Wendell Patterson and a handmade purse won by Frank Whittington.  The pastel, beaded bag seemed more a spring or summer fashion statement than a winter one, so we probably won’t see Frank carrying it anytime soon. 

Other prizes carried home by bingo players included a moose Christmas ornament, a cave man doll, a Stanley pocket flask, a candle with a compact disc of mood music and a pig salt and pepper shaker. 

If someone really wanted one of those items and did not win it, they should not dispair as another chance may come along next year!

Once again, we have toasted in the New Year with a glass (or two) of champagne, eaten black-eyed peas for luck and resolved to­­­­ achieve all sorts of goals in the coming year.  

New Year’s resolutions! Where did the tradition originate and do they really influence us to change a habit or accomplish an objective, or are they simply an empty promise soon forgotten? 

It seems the tradition started with the Babylonians. They reportedly made promises to the gods in hopes they'd earn good favor in the coming year. 

Sound familiar? Many of us have promised our god from time to time that we would do or quit doing something or another in exchange for the granting of a wish. 

Do New Year’s resolutions have any real impact on our accomplishment of a goal? 

Apparently there is something to publicly declaring an intention. It makes one accountable. If you keep your resolution to yourself, no one checks up on you to see if you are carrying through with it. 

Case in point! Year after year, one of the top New Year’s resolutions in America is the resolve to lose weight and get healthy. 

The well-known weight loss program Weight Watchers® credits public declaration and accountability as major keys to the success of the program. 

Weight Watchers® newest ad campaign, featuring Oprah Winfrey, is sweeping the nation and bringing folks to tears.  

Winfrey gives recognition to accountability.

“Weight Watchers has given me the tools to have accountability to myself,” Winfrey said in a press release regarding her new position as spokesperson with the company. 

It sounds like there might really be something to “being held accountable.” 

Author and speaker Dr. Irie Session says that she writes down her resolution to help her be accountable and fulfill her promise. 

Her 2015 New Year’s resolution was to write a book, which she accomplished by March.  “Murdered Souls, Resurrected Lives: Postmodern Womanist Thought in Ministry with Women Prostituted and Marginalized by Commercial Sexual Exploitation” is available through Amazon.com. 

My dear friend, speaker and author Dr. Rose Mary Rumbley says that her New Year’s resolution is to practice the piano everyday. 

“I used to be fairly good,” Rose Mary said remembering her days as a student right here in our M-Street neighborhood. 

“I took piano lessons from Bertha Mendenhall who lived on Vanderbilt and from Ludy Ray Gardner who lived at the corner of McMillan and Vickery Blvd. One of my fellow students was Nancy Kimble, daughter of Justin Kimble who was founder of Blue Cross Blue Shield,” Rose Mary recalled. 

“I plan to bring it (piano) back at age 83,” Rose Mary said.

Other noteworthy resolutions include Barbara Williams’ resolve to stay in the present, to talk less and listen more.  

As for what prompted the resolution, Barbara says, “My belief that often a closed mouth and an always open mind are a good match. And you ask how I'm going to do it? Well, masking tape for starters!”

Many of you may remember Barbara from her days as travel consultant for the Dallas Morning News and her TV show “The World of Travel.”  Barbara always had interesting information to share, so although we support her in her resolution, we hope she doesn’t keep her mouth taped shut too much of the time. 

My friend and artist Dovie Wu hopes to develop a closer relationship with God, join a Bible study group and volunteer at a charity on a weekly basis. 

Born in Taiwan, I asked Dovie if her Chinese culture practices making New Year’s resolutions. 

Dovie said that growing up she remembers wearing new clothes and cleaning house before the New Year, but not really making resolutions. 

The Chinese New Year will be celebrated on February 5, 2016. Nowhere will you find more gorgeous floats and elaborate costumes than at a spectacular Chinese New Year parade. 

My Lakewood friend Carol Archer resolves to organize her closets and drawers. Getting organized was my resolution a few years back and I am still working on it.  I accomplished the utility room and the pantry. Twice!  But I still have to attack the closets and drawers.  

Carol even offered to come over and help me, but I would have to organize first or I would be too embarrassed to let her in the closet. 

My friend Becky Riggins and I are among those resolving to get fit and shed some pounds. How are we going to do it? With Oprah’s help and support. We’re joining Weight Watchers®.

“If not now, when?”

Happy New Year!

It’s pie making time at Central! 

Shortly after Halloween, members of Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) begin bringing their pumpkins to church—not for a blessing but as a blessing. 

Rather than going to waste, the pumpkins used by church members to decorate porches, yards and table centerpieces for Halloween and fall harvest gatherings are donated to the church for pies. 

Central member Nancy Anderton collects the pumpkins in the church kitchen and begins the huge job of preparing the pumpkins to become pies for the Austin Street Shelter and Union Gospel Mission. 

Approximately 30 pumpkins were washed, halved and the seeds removed.  Using the large steam pans found in the church’s commercial kitchen as a water bath, Anderton roasts the pumpkin in the oven at 350° until the meat is tender and can be easily removed from the shell.  

At home you can create a water bath (bain marie) by assembling two pans, one smaller than the other and filling the bottom with some water. 

The roasted meat is then pureed in a Vitamix Blender, but again at home you can use a food processor. The pureed pulp is frozen in 2 ½ gallon Rubbermaid containers until pie making day. 

Anderton is a self-taught cook, but very knowledgeable and skilled in the kitchen.  She often helps prepare large meals for church fellowship like the recent Thanksgiving Dinner celebrated at Central. 

She has always loved making pumpkin pies and credits her Aunt Maryann with great pie making tips. 

“Aunt Maryann suggested using one additional egg beyond the number the recipe calls for to help the custard set-up well,” Anderton said.  “And, you won’t believe the difference freshly ground nutmeg makes in the taste of the pie.” 

Anderton perfected her pumpkin pie recipe and she began the tradition of making the pies for the shelters years ago. 

Daughter Austin started helping Mom make pies in Central’s kitchen when she was in the third grade.  Austin will be a freshman at Texas Women’s University in Denton this fall. 

During the nine years of pie making at Central somewhere between 800 and 1000 pumpkin pies have been delivered by Anderton and Central member Buzz Dicken to the Dallas shelters during the holidays. 

The entire church smelled of pumpkin and spice on Wednesday when the pies were baking.  Finished and boxed, they are delivered on Christmas Eve to help some of Dallas’ less fortunate enjoy the homemade goodness of pumpkin pie. 

Anderton’s recipe follows.  Merry Christmas! 

Pumpkin Pies (yields 2 pies) 

2 prepared pie shells 

4 cups pumpkin puree

1 can sweetened condensed milk

5 eggs

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. ginger

1 tsp. allspice

1 tsp. nutmeg

¼ tsp. cloves

2 ½  heaping tsps. cinnamon

¾ cup white sugar

¾ cup brown sugar 

Pre-heat oven to 400° 

Put all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and mix well.  Pour into the unbaked pie shells.  Bake in oven for 45 – 60 minutes until toothpick comes out clean. 

If crust starts to brown too much, cover edges with foil or pie shield. 

Using additional dough, Anderton cuts out leaf and acorns to trim pie.