VOLUNTEERS BAKE COOKIES FOR HOMEBOUND MEMBERS

Senior Baking Day, a beloved tradition at Shepherd of the Valley (SOTV), is an annual gathering that was started by organizer Helen Eidem. Each year, the church comes alive with the warmth of ovens, the hum of conversation, and the joyful purpose of preparing homemade holiday treats for homebound members. 

Helen runs the Senior Baking Day and provided us with the details. Church members bring their baking talents, recipes, and equipment to the Great Hall. Tables fill with fryers, rollers, mixing bowls, cookie presses, and ingredients ready to be transformed, and everyone has a role to play. Most volunteers spend the day preparing, frying dough, and shaping the cookies, while others contribute by bringing lunch and assembling the packaging. Just one individual bakes each round of cookies as kitchen space is limited.

When the cookies are finished, the team packages them with care, signs cards for each recipient, and many volunteers visit with the homebound members during delivery. This year, an extra batch was also shared with those attending the Coming Home for Christmas celebration — an afternoon of worship and fellowship for our seniors and homebound members held in mid-December every year.

Pastor Lindsey Bina shared her experience supporting Senior Baking Day: 

"As I walked around the room packed with volunteer bakers, I found myself saying aloud, ‘Look at these Saints of God at work!’ Sometimes people give me a funny look when I call them ‘Saints of God.’ But that’s exactly who they are! They are delightfully equipped, ordinary people letting the extraordinary light of Christ shine through them in acts of love and service. Since the event, I have received multiple calls and notes from recipients of the carefully assembled cookie packages, noting what an ‘uplift’ the deliveries have been, often serving as a reminder of the wider body of Christ to which we are all connected. Bravo, Saints of God!”

Homebound members cannot always attend services or events. Through this simple but heartfelt act, the Senior Baking Day volunteers help maintain meaningful relationships and remind each recipient that they remain an important part of the SOTV community. As Helen shared, “We have so many people with so many talents. This shows their love. Being the hands and feet of Jesus to carry and bring gifts to others.” It’s a powerful reminder that finding your talent and using it to give back can be one of the best ways to make a real difference.

Homebound members cannot always attend services or events. Through this simple but heartfelt act, the Senior Baking Day volunteers help maintain meaningful relationships and remind each recipient that they remain an important part of the SOTV community. As Helen shared, “We have so many people with so many talents. This shows their love. Being the hands and feet of Jesus to carry and bring gifts to others.” It’s a powerful reminder that finding your talent and using it to give back can be one of the best ways to make a real difference.

HISTORY

The tradition originally involved purchasing baked goods, but Helen realized that many in the congregation were gifted bakers who might love to share their talents. She gathered a group of volunteers and transformed the event into the hands-on baking day it is today. Although the tradition paused during Covid, it has returned stronger than ever. More than 50 bakers participated in 2025 — the largest group yet.

The event began with Scandinavian cookies, a natural starting point since many participants were familiar with those recipes. Over time, the group has expanded the menu to include a few non-Scandinavian favorites. Today’s cookie list includes:

Senior Baking Day is supported by Care Ministries at Shepherd of the Valley and stands as a testament to what can happen when people share their gifts with love and intention. We want to share a heartfelt thank you to all the wonderful volunteers who make this event possible, as well as to the homebound members who continue to stay connected with our community.

CARE MINISTRIES  

The goal of Care Ministries is to provide prayer, support, and resources to those in need. Whatever you’re facing, you don’t have to face it alone. 

Volunteer Arlene Moehring sent photos after delivering cookies to some of our homebound members saying, “the cookie recipients we delivered to were thrilled!”