Food & Faith in Our United Methodist Churches
If you’re viewing this story in email, please click on TheCall2Cook.com for best presentation and to see all the photos. My car smelled good, like Mexican spices, for days before I actually stepped up to the stove to prepare this Tennessee Taco Soup. That’s because this hearty, comfort-food soup came from a mix prepared by a church... Continue Reading →
It was easy to find Sherry Steele, her adorable daughter, and this recipe for homemade dog treats on the internet. All I did was search “methodist dog treats,” which led me straight to Plainfield United Methodist Church in Plainfield, Illinois. Why would I do such a thing, you ask? I recently noticed dogs are often... Continue Reading →
About a year ago, we ended up with a last-minute mess of donated collard greens we wanted to serve at our takeout lunch ministry. We knew just who to call for guidance. JaNaé Swanson-Brown says she learned to cook her Southern-soul collards by first watching her mother and grandmother in Millen, Georgia, and then perfecting... Continue Reading →
I’m on a small team of people who run a food ministry in north Knoxville, Tennessee. Our friend Marci Villanueva created these cookies because we need to use up sweet potatoes stored in our freezers, but also because we wanted to provide dessert a little special for last Saturday's free takeout lunch. The sweet potatoes... Continue Reading →
August 27, 2020 As the people lined up for their breakfast this morning in an alley, Shades of Grace United Methodist Church quietly celebrated 10,000 meals served since the pandemic became a reality in Kingsport, Tennessee. “We’ve never missed a single day of serving,” said the Rev. Will Shewey, even though COVID-19 forced Shades of... Continue Reading →
The Henderson Settlement campus is nearly empty this summer. But tucked away in one of five greenhouses is Casey Smith with a water hose. She's nurturing the vegetables and greens she planned and planted before everyone realized the pandemic is going to stay awhile. “God gives me the ability to do it,” she says. “I... Continue Reading →
When I shared the story about the meal ministry at Kingston United Methodist Church, I learned that “Taco Twist Soup” is a favorite of their monthly lunchtime guests. Here’s the soup recipe, courtesy of Janet Moore. I tried it tonight, and I’m really impressed. It’s a great meal in a pot with common pantry ingredients,... Continue Reading →
Yesterday I had an eye-rolling moment as I listened to an NPR interview. The subject was Sam Sifton, founding editor of NYT Cooking – of which I am a fan and paid subscriber. Sam talked about how he enjoys going to his pantry and conjuring creative meals with available foods that don’t require another risky... Continue Reading →
Like most of you, I’m separated from family during the coronavirus pandemic. Both of my adult sons live alone right now, trying to stay away from germs while struggling with the social isolation. One is staying in Chattanooga. One is in downtown Knoxville, right next to Church Street United Methodist Church. One is unemployed because... Continue Reading →
A week ago, I wrote about pimento cheese. The world had seemed to change overnight due to coronavirus, and I wanted to get that pimento cheese blog written before I dove headfirst into the work that needed to be done for my job and family. I saw a spot-on meme this weekend that said, “What... Continue Reading →
The Call to Cook 