Shrimp Boil and Silent Auction

 IT’S SHRIMP BOIL TIME! The First Congregational United Church of Christ, Red Oak, is preparing for its 4th Annual Shrimp Boil Fundraiser at the church on Saturday, September 29. This popular event was introduced by Pastor Don Morgan the first year that he served the congregation. Pastor Don had previously served at the Back Bay Mission, a social service agency of the United Church of Christ, in Biloxi, Mississippi, where he learned the art of the Cajun Shrimp Boil. “For 13 years I was on the staff of Back Bay Mission. Week after week volunteers from UCC churches around the country came to work in the community. I was director of that program. We closed out each week with a Shrimp Boil, and it was my duty to boil the shrimp. In addition, we also took our BBM Cajun Shrimp Boils on the road traveling to our UCC churches in the Southeast, New England, and the Midwest, bringing the Cajun Shrimp Boil experience to the churches. Again, on most of these trips it was my responsibility to boil the shrimp. So, I would say that I have a little experience in doing a Cajun Shrimp Boil. Come and see for yourself.” Pastor Don said he tailors the spice to Iowa taste, using “just a little kick”. He prepares two sauces, one spicy and one milder, to suit all tastes. The first year for the Shrimp Boil at First Congregational in Red Oak was an experiment to see if folks would enjoy it. It was a success, with people asking “When will the next one be?” Last year, in 2017, a silent auction event was added. Church member Steve Adams had been tasked with helping clean up the old Thomas D. Murphy Calendar Co. building, and he came across numerous artifacts, including copper printing plates, calendar art work, and original art. He offered them to First Congregational to use as fundraising material. The church decided to put a portion of them into a silent auction and combine it with the Shrimp Boil. This year more Murphy Calendar Company artifacts will be offered at silent auction, with original art on display for viewing. This year’s Shrimp Boil and Silent Auction is scheduled for Saturday, September 29. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. for viewing and bidding on auction items. Food will be served from 6-8. Tickets are now on sale, $10 in advance, $12 at the door. The fee includes dinner. Thomas D. Murphy copper printing plates and calendar art work will be offered at silent auction, with starting bids of $20. Tickets are available in advance at the church office or online at redoakucc.org. The First Congregational United Church of Christ is located at 608 East Reed Street, telephone 712-623-2794.