Gumbo cook-off at First United Methodist feeds seminary mission

Published 12:12 am Saturday, December 3, 2016

LAPLACE — Do you think your gumbo is the best?

You can prove it today at the First United Methodist Church in LaPlace, or you can come judge for yourself while listening to some good musical performances.

The church, located at 301 Bamboo Road, will hold a Gospel Gumbo cook-off today from 5-7 p.m.

“Everyone is invited to bring their best gumbo,” said associate pastor Debbie Upton. “Or they can come and be tasters.”

After the tasting and the judging, there will be a musical performance featuring gospel music and holiday classics.

It’s all for a good cause, too. The event is being held to help offset the costs for Upton, a longtime associate at the church, to complete her seminary courses through the Iliff School of Theology in Denver. Iliff has a program that will match the funds raised to help pay for the online courses, as well as an onsite seminar each quarter.

Upton, who began as the church’s piano player in 1998, is trying to get her Master’s Degree with the goal of becoming an elder in the church.

Upton’s plans have been delayed by the deaths of her son, her husband and the loss of her house to Hurricane Isaac in 2012. She recently moved to Metairie to live with her 97-year-old mother.

“When you lose everything, you kind of go, ‘Well, why am I waiting on this?’” Upton said. “It’s something I should have done ages ago. I believe God put me through all of this for a reason.”

For more information, contact Upton at 504-261-8860.