Lincoln Chapel United Methodist Church Gallery

Donut Day 2004
     Four a.m. came early as my alarm went off on Tuesday. The bed couldn't have been warmer as I left the comforts of an old quilt to get ready to make the donuts. The weatherman stated we would have snow this morning and I eagerly looked out the window but found no blanket of white. I guess that would come later if the snow was to start at all.
     Soon I'm on my way, driving on those familiar roads to the church. No cars are in sight as I make my way through Laurelton. And then, sitting on top of the hill, shadowed in darkness, Lincoln Chapel appears. It's Donut Day and it's 'time to make the donuts.'
     I'm not surprised to see Kafy already there, mixing dough. I think she must have gotten up earlier than I did. Donut Day…that familiar smell of yeast proofing and dough raising. The church is dark and quiet. It feels like I'm not awake yet, still under that comfortable quilt since the basement is warm and cozy.
     People start to arrive to mix and I can see through the windows that the sun hasn't risen. But then it might not show itself today. The first arrivals of the morning include the quiet fall of the forecasted snow. There are no worries as the day begins. We are here to make donuts and donuts shall be made.
     Among the smells that fill the church is the smell of fresh brewed coffee. As mixers and cutters gather to start their jobs, they share their recent news. Cameras appear and the basement has occasional flashes of light. Laughter echoes through the basement and you can tell it's going to be a fun day.
     Prayer begins the morning and God is asked to bless this day. Just as the snow falls outside, a peacefulness descends upon the church. God will provide a perfect day.
     By eight a.m. donuts are being sugared and I am always amazed at how efficient this project has become. Orders are starting to be filled and the first order leaves Lincoln Chapel in record time - 8:30 a.m. Donuts flow like a river from mixing to cutting, cutting to raising, raising to frying, frying to sugaring, sugaring to bagging and then they are out the door. Customers comment there could be no fresher donut than the ones they have received as cold hands are warmed with them.
     Afternoon arrives bringing with it a cloud of doubt as the number of orders keeps rising and the number of available donuts dwindles. Do we have enough dough to finish? Can we fill all the orders? What will we do if we run short? As everyone shares those concerns, a voice cries out, 'I have faith we will have enough donuts.' God will provide the perfect day.
     Once again, I am pleasantly surprised as a visitor shares the overwhelming feeling of the spiritual connectedness of the members at Lincoln Chapel. How blessed we are for the fellowship of other caring Christian friends who take the time to share in each other's lives. Truly Lincoln Chapel is God's house and God dwells here.
     By two p.m. the consensus is we will not be able to fill the orders. By 2:30 p.m. we might be able to fill the orders but only to be followed by doubt again. Three p.m. arrives and the final call of needed donuts has been given-14 donuts to go. From the kitchen a voice rings out, 'We're going to make it! I have three dozen cut out!' Twelve hours later, the basement is once again empty, all the donuts have been picked up, and I am on my way home. As I drive home I realize that God has indeed provided the perfect day.