OAKLEY - Her initial assignment is a bit daunting: The creation of 18 quarts of beef vegetable soup that must live up to some lofty standards. But Debbie Myers doesn't consider it a task.
"I consider it an honor," she said.
That's because the Juda resident is so impressed with what the little congregation at Oakley Union Church can pull off in the form of a meal each year for crowds as large as 300. Its annual Soup Day, set for March 7, draws people from as far as Rockford and keeps afloat a church that is a throwback in time like few others.
"I went to a meeting, and the ladies who organize the event have hand-written books that detail every meal they've ever made, how much of what ingredient was required, things like that," said Myers, a first-year Soup Day volunteer and four-year church member. "I saw books that went back as far as 1993."
Corie Grossen is one of the long-time volunteers.
"We have it down to a science," said the Monroe resident. "A lot of this was passed down to us and every member of the church contributes, whether it be with making crafts, with baking, with cooking soup or through donations."
It's the kind of dedication to detail that allows the Civil War-era country church in the middle of nowhere - it sits atop a hill about 10 miles south of Juda and Brodhead, consisting of just 1,300 square feet and 10 rows of pews - to put on a big feast that is nothing less than life-saving.
"Everyone has to pitch in together to keep it open," said Brodhead's Danny Klopfenstein, who was raised attending the church's services and has volunteered all 22 years for Soup Day. "It's all we have to count on."
Business donations also help. This year, Sun Prairie-based Country Hearth is providing the bread and Madison-based Schoep's is providing the ice cream.
It's also Myers' job to pick up the donations.
"I'm happy to do it," she said. "They see that helping a little church like ours is a good cause."
The money raised has helped pay for a new ceiling and alter for the church, which was established in 1862 along with a neighboring cemetery. In 1918, the church was rebuilt and still stands today.
So, how can a church that often sees a crowd fewer than 30 at its one-per-Sunday service create such a following on Soup Day?
"I'm surprised we get so many, but we do offer a good product," said Klopfenstein, who marvels at a crowd that is often wall-to-wall in the church basement. "You'll get to taste so many different types of soup from so many different people and we'll use the soup as needed, so you might get to taste three different vegetable-beef soups mixed together. That can make for a unique taste."
Then there's an appreciation for what the church represents. In an era of auditorium-style mega churches, complete with rock concerts, more and more of the rural old-school churches face extinction.
"The church has touched so many people over the years, but many of us moved to the city or away from the area. And many have died," Klopfenstein said. "But our kids still want to see it survive even though we might not be getting them as members."
Oakley Union's small, intimate setting is what drew Myers to it.
"Everyone sits in the same pew each week, and everyone just seems so comfortable," she said. "You can feel free you can come as you are - if it's cold and want to wear a hoody, I do. No one minds."
The soup event shares the same care-free atmosphere, Klopfenstein said.
"We are friendly and try to meet everyone, but we don't make people feel obligated (to join)," he said. "Everyone just feels at home."
"I consider it an honor," she said.
That's because the Juda resident is so impressed with what the little congregation at Oakley Union Church can pull off in the form of a meal each year for crowds as large as 300. Its annual Soup Day, set for March 7, draws people from as far as Rockford and keeps afloat a church that is a throwback in time like few others.
"I went to a meeting, and the ladies who organize the event have hand-written books that detail every meal they've ever made, how much of what ingredient was required, things like that," said Myers, a first-year Soup Day volunteer and four-year church member. "I saw books that went back as far as 1993."
Corie Grossen is one of the long-time volunteers.
"We have it down to a science," said the Monroe resident. "A lot of this was passed down to us and every member of the church contributes, whether it be with making crafts, with baking, with cooking soup or through donations."
It's the kind of dedication to detail that allows the Civil War-era country church in the middle of nowhere - it sits atop a hill about 10 miles south of Juda and Brodhead, consisting of just 1,300 square feet and 10 rows of pews - to put on a big feast that is nothing less than life-saving.
"Everyone has to pitch in together to keep it open," said Brodhead's Danny Klopfenstein, who was raised attending the church's services and has volunteered all 22 years for Soup Day. "It's all we have to count on."
Business donations also help. This year, Sun Prairie-based Country Hearth is providing the bread and Madison-based Schoep's is providing the ice cream.
It's also Myers' job to pick up the donations.
"I'm happy to do it," she said. "They see that helping a little church like ours is a good cause."
The money raised has helped pay for a new ceiling and alter for the church, which was established in 1862 along with a neighboring cemetery. In 1918, the church was rebuilt and still stands today.
So, how can a church that often sees a crowd fewer than 30 at its one-per-Sunday service create such a following on Soup Day?
"I'm surprised we get so many, but we do offer a good product," said Klopfenstein, who marvels at a crowd that is often wall-to-wall in the church basement. "You'll get to taste so many different types of soup from so many different people and we'll use the soup as needed, so you might get to taste three different vegetable-beef soups mixed together. That can make for a unique taste."
Then there's an appreciation for what the church represents. In an era of auditorium-style mega churches, complete with rock concerts, more and more of the rural old-school churches face extinction.
"The church has touched so many people over the years, but many of us moved to the city or away from the area. And many have died," Klopfenstein said. "But our kids still want to see it survive even though we might not be getting them as members."
Oakley Union's small, intimate setting is what drew Myers to it.
"Everyone sits in the same pew each week, and everyone just seems so comfortable," she said. "You can feel free you can come as you are - if it's cold and want to wear a hoody, I do. No one minds."
The soup event shares the same care-free atmosphere, Klopfenstein said.
"We are friendly and try to meet everyone, but we don't make people feel obligated (to join)," he said. "Everyone just feels at home."