The 1st time I heard this story as told to me by my mother, it was understood that this was a true story. Although it seems hard To believe at that time. This was something that was circulated through church, by church going people. And it’s us that repeated it and retold it, and kept it going on for generations. Until it became somewhat of an urban Church legend.
I don’t remember the original person that told this story to my mom, But it seem like the original storyteller was a female church member.

The church that this incident might have occurred in  might have been called The Highway Church Of Christ. In lower Manhattan or on the cusp of Brooklyn. And this story takes place on an early afternoon. A very hot summer day, probably the hottest in mid July, or the very 1st day of august. It appears that there is no 1 alive today that remembers the story Except for  me and my family. It seems we are are the only ones that can recall it! Well on this particular day in time, morning church service Was in full swing, after 1st having Sunday school, which started around 9:30 a.m. After Sunday school morning service would start at around 11:30 AM. Sunday school would end at about 10:15 AM.

From what I recall from the story was that the air conditioning system was malfunctioning. It wasn’t keeping the church as cool as it could be kept, and People are literally wilting in the pews. And so the honorable reverend was doing his best  preacher thing pulpit performance, trying to usher in the feeling of the Holy Spirit throughout the place! He was working himself up into a call and response frenzy! His HOLY GHOST Hallelujah Hollers! His little sanctified strut back and forth across the stage and pulpit! His Malachi metaphors, his Galatians Gesticulations! His holy ghost ho-down, Show down! All this energetic exhortation And he wasn’t getting anywhere, and he and the congregation, both knew it! And do you know why boys and girls? Because it was too damn hot up in that place! Congregants couldn’t tap in to there Weekly Sunday Holy ghost, get high, Because sweat was dripping under every one’s Calves & thighs! Just as he was about to Holler out something else, He Paused and suddenly said; Hey people we gave it our best shot,  Let’s Just take a break and go down to that ice cream place and get us some ice cream.

A Couple of people in the front pews said Amen! One of the sisters from the church said, Preacher Man, you got that right. You don’t have to tell us twice. Let’s get to step’n  with some shoe leather down to some nice cool cream! And with that statement People start to laugh and filed out the church In an orderly fashion to get
some nice ice cream. There was 1 sister that stayed behind though. Let’s just say her name was sister Shaw. She stayed to kind of  look out over the church. But also because she was the designated cook for the afternoon. It was customary after afternoon church service that you would have a meal. Kind of like a “dunch”. It meant that you’re eating sometime between lunch and dinner. Hencefore the term dunch. Sister Shaw didn’t mind being left behind. She had to prepare The after service church meal anyway. And she already said  that she was making a Cold plate style buffet. She had already started the chicken and the tuna salad bowls, the last thing she was gonna do was make a shrimp salad bowl And the huge Punch bowl size garden salad. Also on the side there be sliced rye white and Italian bread. So you could have the choice of having a sandwich  or a salad With tuna, shrimp or chicken salad. They’re would also be some cold fruit platters of grapes, strawberries And sliced oranges, and a platter of whole dill pickles. And there was 2 giant size pitcher’s of her best North Carolina sweet tea.

Now I’m not going to sit here or write here,  and say that was the menu on that day. But on summer church days, That could be what was on the menu with different variations. For example you could have potato salad, mac salad cold, or  A garden salad,  And the hot dish would be some ribs or barbecue chicken, or fried chicken. Punch and/or Cold soda bottles. With platters of wedge watermelon in the refrigerator since the morning. So it should be really cool, cold and delicious As soothing as air conditioning. And in those days there was no bio engineered Frankenstein Food! The fruit was real fruit delicious, fruity and juicy.

I am gonna stop here with your mouth watering, hopefully if I’m any type of decent  writer. Just to wet you appetite, a little. I’m gonna Boost this Part of the story, of course I’ll finish it at a later date! Until then  God bless and take care.