Food and Faith in Holston Conference
Macy Mitchell is making it happen. She’s doing what so many other people are doing right now. She found a need during the coronavirus pandemic and is using her gifts and passion to fill it. Macy says it all started when she checked on her 83-year-old grandfather, who admitted he was depressed. “What can I... Continue Reading →
It starts with thousands of potatoes that were dropped on the parking lot at Concord United Methodist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee, on a chilly Saturday morning in January. The potatoes were gleaned by the Society of St. Andrew, which redistributes produce that would otherwise end up in landfill, so that it can be used to... Continue Reading →
On Friday night, I made two big pans of lasagna. My son said that comfort food was what they needed, and when he thought about comfort food, he thought of lasagna. I had been waiting for such an opportunity, but I didn’t expect it to happen so soon. I didn’t expect it to be so... Continue Reading →
I appreciate Angel Smith. She wrote me a few weeks ago and offered to share her experience in showing hospitality to church dinner guests. If you’ve been following this blog, you know I’m trying to learn more about serving guests with allergies and sensitivities to gluten. It’s a lot more difficult and complicated than I... Continue Reading →
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 →
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 →
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 →
For food in a world where many walk in hunger;For faith in a world where many walk in fear;For friends in a world where many walk alone;We give you thanks, O Lord. Amen. -- From "Blessed Be Our Table" (2003), Anglican Church of Canada -- Photo above: Women of Mountain View United Methodist Church (Dublin,... Continue Reading →
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 →
In retrospect, the blog post I wrote last month about being sensitive and hospitable to gluten-free guests seems incredibly naïve. We had some great responses to our request for gluten-free recipes and tips for church dinners, which I will share here shortly. However, I learned it’s not always practical or realistic to expect to cook... Continue Reading →
