On Christmas day, the Rev. Asa Hendrickson Majors posted this photo on her Facebook page. She is associate pastor at First United Methodist Church in Morristown, Tennessee. Here's what she said: Just wanted to share this beauty. This is an act of great love from one of our families at church. We aren’t the only... Continue Reading →
Sweet nativities in Kodak
Icy roads caused school to be closed on December 11, but that didn’t stop Kodak United Methodist Church from going ahead with its monthly community dinner. Pastor Melissa Smith says it was only the second time the congregation hosted “Kodak Church Night." Seventy people attended, including eight who are not church members. The idea is... Continue Reading →
Meal ministries in unexpected places
On Thanksgiving weekend, an old school friend sent a message that stoked a thought I’ve been thinking for a while. Ginny Fisler sent a screenshot of a social-media story shared by one of her friends, Roy Mesa. Here’s what Roy said: What a great idea! I wanted to know more, and sure enough, I found... Continue Reading →
This is on my list: New food pantry in Red Bank
I love getting mail from folks about sharing food and sharing the table! Anne Travis sent this message a couple of weeks ago, about a new food pantry in a town on the north side of Chattanooga, Tennessee. I have missed the grand opening and weekly fellowship dinners, but I would love to visit the... Continue Reading →
Chattanooga street buffet
I’m sitting on the sidelines of a meeting at St. Elmo United Methodist Church, talking to a church member. I should be paying closer attention to the meeting, but this guy is fascinating. Mike Rice is telling me how he put out this beautiful spread of refreshments for what could have been an ordinary... Continue Reading →
Y’all come to the table
"Come to the table." Those are four encouraging words, especially when you’re hungry for something. Even a bad day can end on a high note when you’re called to the table and something good is waiting for you. Gathering around the table to share a meal is so basic and natural to spending time with... Continue Reading →
This is on my list: Weekly dinners in Rising Fawn
Grateful for this message from Rose Powell at Rising Fawn United Methodist Church in north Georgia! Dear Annette: I wanted to tell you about our Wednesday night meals at Rising Fawn United Methodist Church, which began during the time Steve Doyal was our pastor, over 20 years ago. When the dinners started, I for one... Continue Reading →
I have called you by name; you are mine.
Somebody in this room has a piece of cake with his name on it. In fact, I’m told three people are here tonight with August birthdays. The giant monthly birthday cake has several names on it, but Walter, Isaiah, and Rommel reportedly have already picked up their personalized slices. The whole room is dining on... Continue Reading →
Food to take to sad families: ‘Love Soup’ and more
What’s your go-to recipe to take to a family when they have lost a loved one? We asked that question a couple of weeks ago and thoroughly enjoyed your answers. Ann Low Reego said, “I take ‘Love Soup.’ My children named it that because everyone we loved got some eventually. It went to new babies,... Continue Reading →
Dinner Church: ‘A message wrapped in a meal’
The Knoxville News Sentinel recently visited "Dinner Church" at East Knox Elementary -- a ministry of the Rev. Teresa Atkins McClure and New Life United Methodist Church in Knoxville, Tenn. We shared this great ministry in The Call to Cook last month! The KNS story by Amy McRary and images by Saul Young are amazing.... Continue Reading →