As I was driving to Wednesday night soup supper with my web reporter hat on, I was thinking “What new thing can be said about SJA soup suppers?” Favorite soup surveys have been done. Soup songs, poems and stories have been written. And the friendships, comforts and hospitality of the suppers well covered.
But, when I walked into Hospitality Hall I knew – it doesn’t have to be new and different. There is a community bonding and comfort in “predictability.” At soup suppers you can count on a buzz in the kitchen, a line anticipating what soup to try this week, and tables filled with folks sharing conversations and a meal. You can count on a “variety of soups” and a “variety of diners,” from the very young to the elderly.
Families love soup suppers. Heidi Wennen was there with her two sons, Finn (red shirt) and Eli (dark shirt). “We love soup supper,” said Heidi. “This Lent I have especially appreciated them because my husband has been out of town a lot and it gives me a chance to get out of the house with the boys,” she told me.
Kids love soup suppers too, and we web reporters love them too.
The favorite soup this Wednesday was Lili’s White Chicken Chili. How popular was it? “White Chicken Chili?” said the staff when I asked, “Oh, that’s all gone!” It was so good that I didn’t get to taste it. But we got the recipe – well sort of got the recipe. 
Lili unfortunately doesn’t remember “how much” of anything she put in it. (See recipe ingredients below).
If you haven’t been to a soup supper, try it next year. It’s a great community event.
Prayer Service
Soup suppers are followed by a prayer service and adult forum. This particular Wednesday’s prayer service was contemplative. Pat Stevens read a meditation piece by Thomas Merton’s Seven Story Mountain and Theresa Healy read “Coming Home to my Center” from Prayers to Sophia by Joyce Rupp.- The highest of all lives is that of sharing the fruits of contemplation with others. -Thomas Merton
- Go to the center of yourself. Sit with the peace that is deep within you. When you are ready, listen to what Sophia speaks to you about coming home to your truest self.
- Joyce Rupp
The meditation ended with a St. Joan’s handshake of peace.
Adult Forum
After the meditation, we formed a circle and Anna Vagle and Steve Friedrichs led us in a discussion of the meaning of mysticism. The discussion centered on demystifying and coming to a new understanding of mysticism. Anna explained how “mysticism is simply a union with God.” Not everyone is a mystic, but we probably all have experiences that if we reflect back on them, have a deeper meaning and connection with God. After the discussion, we formed into small groups and shared experiences. It is through these shared experiences that we begin to understand mysticism.
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White Chicken Chili recipe (ingredients, amounts left to your creativity)
Sautéed onion and garlic
Garlic hummus
Canned white kidney beans
Canned corn (drained)
Canned hominy (drained)
1 rotisserie chicken cut up
8 oz. sour cream
Chicken broth
Dill vegetable dip
Chipotle chili powder
Turmeric
Cumin
Salt & pepper
Nutmeg
Cinnamon
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| Rose Grengshas been a SJA parishioner since 1982. She is an immigration attorney and passionate about the subject. She is a member of the choir and active in the Peace Movement. She and her husband, Paul, routinely attend the 11:00 Mass. She is the mother of four children and grandmother of three. She is looking forward to retirement, travel and enjoys music, especially singer, songwriter, Greg Brown.
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