St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Newnan is hosting its fourth annual “Flower Festival and Traditional English Tea” where spectacular floral arrangements will be on display and guests will be treated to a musical recital and afternoon tea featuring cakes, bonbons, sandwiches and, of course, tea.
During the afternoon event on Saturday, Jan. 24, the ladies of St. Paul’s Flower Guild will even reveal a few secrets to creative flower arranging during a special demonstration.
Guests will hear a music recital by St. Paul’s organist and choir director William Fred Scott and a solo by soprano Emily Budd.
The festival begins at 2 p.m., and at 4 p.m., guests will be invited into the parish hall where tables for eight will be set with fine china in different patterns supplied by parish ladies from their own dining rooms. The afternoon will conclude with goodies piled high on three-tiered plates and served with the traditional hot English beverage.
The flower festival and tea began with the inspiration of parishioner Louise Howard, who missed the traditions of the Anglican Church she left behind in Great Britain.
“The flower show is a tradition drawn from the Anglican and European churches, where you would not walk in without seeing flowers on the altar or in the narthex,” Howard said. “Often they would be flowers grown in the church yard or in parishioners’ gardens. Even late in the fall, there would be bouquets of chrysanthemums, and in the winter, boughs of holly or other greenery.”
In Newnan, “our St. Paul’s Flower Guild ladies have learned their skills through on-the-job training,” she added. “Though some of our greenery and flowers come from the grounds of St. Paul’s, we mostly use store-bought flowers because they hold up better.”
Tickets may be purchased for $22 per person (cash or check) from the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church office at 576 Roscoe Road in Newnan. Proceeds will assist families and individuals in need. Call 770-253-4264 for more information.
