Michigan—Glittering lights and holiday décor decked the auditorium of Metropolitan Junior Academy (MJA). On Nov. 13, 2005, the Metropolitan Church in Northville Township, Mich., hosted its 18th annual Vegetarian Holiday Tasting Extravaganza (HTE) where more than 600 guests feasted on 66 different recipes provided by 44 cooks. Members from the Oakwood, Plymouth, and South Lyon churches also participated. The 100-member workforce performed a myriad of tasks to accomplish such a feat. MJA students, the Metropolitan Pathfinder club, and students from Andrews University and Great Lakes Adventist Academy also worked hard to make guests feel welcome.
First-time attendees were three times greater than prior years due in part to an article featuring the event in The Observer & Eccentric Newspapers. Many positive comments were received. One attendee said “I loved it. It was the best. Thoroughly enjoyed it. I had more than enough. I’ll come again. The little helpers are GREAT! They are to be commended!”
Many people signed up to attend the monthly Supper Club at Metropolitan, as well as health and exercise classes and stop smoking clinics provided by Better Living Seminars.The event organizer, Jeanie Weaver, reported that knowledge of the Adventist healthy lifestyle is spreading to the community. One prior attendee who also participates in Jeanie’s weekly exercise class was so impressed she gave a presentation on Adventism and our health message to a class at Schoolcraft College and also made a dish from the recipe book for her classmates to sample. Several students purchased tickets and came this year.
An account executive with The Observer & Eccentric Newspapers sent Jeanie a note of appreciation, “The hospitality, variety, and abundance of samplings surpassed our expectations! And, I especially feel blessed to have our paths cross at a time when my own daughter has chosen to be a vegetarian. Thanks for introducing us to countless recipes, ideas rich in nutrients and flavor that will span any event over the years.”
Jeanie declares, “I think it's neat how the Holy Spirit makes all these little human connections if we just go about our life and live it the best we can without keeping score. I know the Lord is using [the HTE] just as He wants.”
Joy Hyde, Metropolitan Church correspondent
