Bernice's Rolls

Reminiscence and nostalgia come naturally come when thinking of or discussing certain topics, and food is one. Whenever in a discussion about food there is always the mention of mothers, grandmothers and sweet old ladies. And by nature these mothers and sweet old ladies are also some of the most devoted members of the local churches.

This gives rise to the glorious tradition of the church potluck. These potlucks may take place in the present but they draw their strength from the past. It is an old tradition. Often it dates back to the birth of the church.

You gather together with people you have known and loved all your life. Then you eat from the multitudes of vastly varying homemade foods from recipes that have been passed down from one generation to the next to be made by the skilled hands moved to a perfection achieved through the life time of cooking experience of your Sunday school teacher.

Bernice’s rolls are a large part of my understanding of church potlucks. Of the various foods offered on those ‘Love Feasts’ Bernice’s rolls enjoyed a special popularity and became a requirement for every event. They were consistently perfect. They always came in the same pans and sat in the place at the ends of the tables making finding and retrieving them easier. Without them the potluck would be incomplete.

I guess each church has its own special potluck dishes provided through the years by beautiful people and fine cooks. What are yours?