“Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith…” Hebrews 13V7
A Special Time
Welcome back to my food and religion blog Hope & Joy In Life, for those of you who are new, welcome! Today is another day for a celebration. And not just any celebration. Today is Clergy Appreciation Day. Clergy Appreciation day falls on the second Sunday in the month of October every year.
Today is a day to express our gratitude for the pastors, ministers, and spiritual leaders who dedicate their lives to serving others. These devoted individuals offer us spiritual guidance, support, and comfort, reminding us of God’s love and leading us through both joyful and challenging seasons of life.
Why Celebrate Clergy Appreciation Day
During the last decade the clergy from certain religions have been under scrutiny because of their opposing and ungodly behavior. Unfortunately, that has helped paint the clergy in a not so wonderful light. In April 2020, 63% of U.S. adults said they had a “great deal” or a “fair amount” of confidence in religious leaders. Today, that figure stands at 53%.
There are some wonderful, spirit-filled clergy members out there doing the Lord’s work. They deserve to be recognized for their efforts. God wants us to exalt our clergy.
Today is not just about saying “thank you,” but about recognizing the profound calling of those who guide us spiritually, and are led by God. How can you celebrate Clergy Appreciation Day? Their are multiple options.
You can share a simple note of gratitude, sharing a meal, or lifting them up in prayer, our gestures of appreciation to reflect the love and encouragement they so generously give to us.
Cooking On Clergy Appreciation Day
If you are like me you have a passion for food and fellowship, sharing a meal is a beautiful way to honor our clergy. Consider inviting your pastor for a simple lunch or preparing a special dish for a church gathering. The power of breaking bread together creates space for deeper connection, showing how much we value their service.
Let’s take time today to uplift our clergy and express our heartfelt gratitude for the incredible role they play in nurturing our faith and walking alongside us in our journey with Christ and the Divine. If you are going to be attending a church celebration or want to bake something for your clergy, this Black Raspberry Cream Pie is delicious.
Black Raspberry Cream Pie Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Pre-made 9-inch graham cracker crumble pie shell
- 1 egg whote, beaten
- 1 Cup whipping cream
- 1 8 oz. pkg. Cream cheese, softened
- 1- 10oz, jar black raspberry spread
- Fresh black raspberries
- Lemon peel twist
- Mint leaves
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375F .
- Brush pie shell with beaten egg white. Bake for 5 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
- In a medium mixing bowl beat whipped cream with an electric mixer on med-high speed until stiff peaks form; set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl beat cream cheese with an electric mixer on med-high speed until smooth. Add black raspberry spread. Beat on low speed just until combined. Fold in whipped cream. Spoon mixture into pie shell. Cover and freeze for 4 to 24 hours or until firm.
- Garnish with fresh black raspberries, lemon peel twist, and mint.
Makes 8 servings.