The Importance of Youth

It's not often nowadays that the caretakers of church social events have youthful faces full of energetic charm, but that was the case in a visit to Meriden's St. Paul Lutheran Church and their annual ice cream social.

This lovely church hides between corn fields in Steele County for now, but in the near future Hwy.14's four-lane highway will drive close by, giving up its privacy and peaceful existence. On Sunday, August 5, over 350 hungry travelers filled the parking lot to eat not only ice cream, but pork burgers, BBQs, potato salad, fruit cups and most ginormous selection of pies to pick from in any church kitchen.

Kent Wilker mans the BBQ grill to a new
record sale of pork patties.

Kristen and Kent Wilker were the first ones on hand for the day, finalizing touches to the menu, tables, decorations, food. In fact, the most ideal summer day in over a month added to the quiet country setting and Kent was busy preparing the huge grill for pork patties from Steve's Meat Market in Ellendale. Little did he know that before the day was out, a quick trip to neighbors to borrow about 100 more patties for the throngs of visitors hoping to satisfy their hunger. It probably had something to do with his secret barbeque recipe utilized from the grill!

"We couldn't believe that we ran out," explained Kristen. "We ran out of everything - but pies, and that was because we had extras come in that morning. We felt so bad when the last of the people showed up hoping for a burger and we couldn't give them one. They were all so understanding and asked, "what do you have" and we said, "pie" and they said, "we'll have that then."

Several years ago the ice cream social brought in about 400 but in subsequent years the numbers dropped to about 250, which is what Kristen and Diane Kath, co-chair's of the event, decided on. "It was bad news, good news, when that happened. Glad we had such a great crowd, but feeling bad we couldn't provide more." The ice cream social has been held for decades.

Macy Meixner was busy making more
fruit cups for the large crowd Sunday.

Kristen credits some 'free' advertising to more numbers. The conventional paid advertising was performed, but she added a flyer to the Owatonna Today Show on the radio, Todd Hale and his Fair Talk column in the Owatonna newspaper and mentions on other radio programs. "I made the ad a little bigger in the (Owatonna) newspaper but I think the other forms were the ticket."

That was one of the jobs Kristen had to perform before she and her husband led the church Luther League youth group to Louisiana for its annual convention. The Meriden group doesn't make that commitment very often, so not only was time involved but finding the money for the trip, which in the end cost about $19,000. The ice cream social proceeds help out the youth group, as do other fundraisers at the church. It was a big undertaking, but the group proudly showed slides from the trip at the social during the meal. "It was so much fun, but it was also very educational," said Kristen. "We decided we couldn't do it every year, so hopefully we can go again in three years. But it takes a lot to pull it off."

Fifteen youth from that group helped at the dinner and along with eight adults, kept the event flowing. At the door, guests are asked to fill out order forms, but the 200 provided ran out an hour into the meal. It was the first time this author has seen order forms, but it's been a staple for St. Paul's ice cream social for many years.

The solitude of the farm

fields was enhanced bythe beauty of the cemeteryacross the road fromthe church.

The church has a to-die for parish education committee that jumps to help out. "It absolutely is amazing how the congregation comes through whenever we ask for help," Kristen glowed. She was worried when she saw only a few pies on Saturday, but by Sunday 38 delicious desserts showed up: blueberry, cherry, apple, french silk, pumpkin, lemon meringue, cheesecake, cherry cheesecake, rhubarb and the one people drive miles to get to - sour cream raisin. "That went quick," laughed Kristen.

Pastor Gary Ruskinko has served the 430 strong congregation since 1995 and proudly rolls up his sleeves to help out, kitchen, grilling - wherever he is needed. "These people also put on a Sweetheart Supper, Soup days during Lent and a Pancake Breakfast, besides what needs that come up," he said. "They aren't afraid to help out." Kristen agreed, "I have one parishioner that comes through often and doesn't want anything in return - I've even tried to return her generosity. You can't believe how invaluable people like that are."


Besides food, there is a raffle for an older quilt, new quilt, baskets full of goodies for people willing to buy a ticket at the door. $240 was raised from generous visitors from that event.

As most church socials go, changes have to be made due to time constraints on volunteers. The potato salad is purchased now, but may be brought back as homemade donations in the future. Kristen and Diane donate the buns and baked beans. The fruit is also donated: this year they made 52 fruit cups and ended up hurriedly had to make up 20 more when food sold quickly.

"One reason I do this is because society has forgotten about so many traditions that are going away," said Kristen. "It doesn't really take that much time to do these things if you get enough people wanting to do it. This little country church chooses to do it."

The hard work of adult parishioners has not gone unnoticed by the younger set. The youth want to get involved with transitions meals in Owatonna as well as serving meals in the Minneapolis area for future service projects.  It's a testament to the energy provided by the Wilkers and the many other volunteers at the church. "Next year we might add a corn feed to this event, we've talked about that."

And Kristen would be the one to make that happen!