Hospitality

Three for Tea at Two

Show your mentor, best friend, or pastor's wife how much you appreciate her
by hosting a special afternoon tea party called "Three for Tea at Two"
by Laura Leathers (Edited)

How have you honored or paid tribute to the special mentor God has brought into your life. Perhaps you have honored her through phone calls, cards filled with words of gratitude and encouragement, or little ‘happies’. A mentor is someone who invests or pours herself into another woman without expecting anything in return. Now it’s your turn to invest your life into your mentor by hosting a special afternoon tea party entitled, “Three for Tea at Two”.

The Scriptural basis for this tea theme is found in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 which says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up . . . And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” God, in his infinite wisdom, knew we would have need for companionship (Genesis 2:18). Titus 2 also tells us that we have a mandate to mentor, which is so much more than companionship.

Planning the Afternoon

Always begin with prayer. Pray before the invitation is even mailed. Ask God for creative ideas and ways you can shower your special friend with His love and blessings, so you can make it unique and specific for her.
Allocate a special place. Be sensitive to what your mentoring friend likes to do. Perhaps gardening is her hobby. Then by all means plan your intimate tea party area outside. Maybe she likes the beach, or maybe she simply loves to sit in your kitchen. Maybe she has never been to a tea party before. You might consider an area is your living room or den and pretend it is the Victorian parlor.

One additional thought; plan your special place with three chairs. The chairs are for your mentor, yourself, and then your very special guest--Jesus. Find a three foot red cord (craft or fabric store), decorate the ends with white tassels, and place it in the seat of the chair to represent Jesus.

Bring out your very best china, linens, and silver. Prepare food to go along with your area; however, plan on more than just tea and scones. Serve elegant sandwiches, fruit, desserts, and several flavors of tea.

Allow plenty of time. Above everything else, use your time wisely and be a servant. Now would be an excellent time to express what you have learned from your mentor and how God has used her in your life. A very special gift would be appropriate to mark the occasion—a teacup and saucer, a piece of pottery, a poem, or roses.

This tea party theme is unlimited in possibilities. Remember, the most important thing is to create this time for tea around the needs, desires, and personality of your mentor.

Sample Invitation

It’s time to create a special moment,
To honor with more than a compliment..

So I’ve planned an afternoon between us both,
Three for Tea at Two... are you curious?

Curious about Who'll be number three?
It's a secret between He and me.
But I'll share it with you when you come
And I'll welcome you both to my home.

Please set aside (date) as the date
The time is 2 p.m. –so don’t hesitate.

(Optional) Because you are a person who:
Models a godly lifestyle
Encourages the younger woman
Notes her needs
Teaches good things
Obedient to the Word of God
Reverent in behavior

RSVP 123-456-7890 or (email)

The tea theme was written by Laura Leathers, founder of Tea Time Treasures, A Ministry & A Business focused on Touching Lives through Biblical Hospitality. Other facets of this ministry are the Royal Ladies’ Tea Society, the quarterly publication of Teacups & Friends, and A Cup of Hope for Hearts.
www.TeaTimeTreasures.com 662.468.2555.