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 →
Free meals for kids come with lessons on community care Michelle Curiel was not content to just hand out coloring books to children who came to the park for free meals this summer. She wanted kids to learn something about the “sacredness of food” and hunger awareness. So when the kids in her neighborhood came... 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 →
The bacon-wrapped chicken is making me hungry. And I’m definitely stealing the recipe for cornbread salad. Today I’m a guest in the kitchen at Concord United Methodist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Our mission is to cook a Sunday dinner for the 37 “grannies” who are served and loved by Wesley House Community Center. Tanda Montgomery,... Continue Reading →
The first time I saw cornbread salad at a church dinner, I was reluctant to try it. Now that I’m older and wiser, I’ll say you should definitely try this. I couldn’t find the origin, but cookbook writers have wondered if this recipe is related to the old Southern snack enjoyed by our elders --... Continue Reading →
This spacious, well-lit, well-equipped kitchen has been the source of many, many meals over the last four decades – most often prepared for students participating in the United Methodist ministry located one block from Radford University. But on a recent chilly March afternoon, this kitchen is where a meal is being prepared for 11 homeless... Continue Reading →
Remember community dinners before COVID-19? Those days will return, and I'll bet they'll be even more successful and appreciated. I saw this wonderful video from United Methodist Communications more than a year ago. A pastor in Toledo, Ohio, opened up his house to offer "LifeLine Toledo," a big dinner ministry reaching people well beyond the... 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 →
For the first time since the pandemic started in March, I went on an overnight work trip last week. I visited Alexander Memorial United Methodist Church, where every Thursday a small team led by Pastor Daniel Bradley cooks and delivers hot meals to hungry neighbors in and around Bishop, Virginia. The church struggles financially. Last... Continue Reading →
It took me all week to write this, because I was ashamed. On Sunday night, we resumed our “Second Sunday Dinner Party” after canceling it for two months due to COVID-19. This dinner was so, so different than the monthly meals our friends and I have prepared since December 2018. The obvious difference is fear... Continue Reading →
The Call to Cook 