COMMUNITY OUTREACH MEALS

From the Open Files of: NW Synod of Wisconsin Resource Center (715) 833-1153 Contributed by: First Lutheran Church, Hayward, WI

FIRST LUTHERAN COMMUNITY OUTREACH MEALS Each and every Wed., our congregation gathers for a meal together as a community builder for our family of faith, but more importantly, our meal has become an opportunity to reach out into the Sawyer county community in general in order to begin to address the needs of people on the fringes. What we do: We provide meals and fellowship so that . . . . . .those who are hungry are fed, those who are lonely have fellowship, those who might stretch their dollar one meal further can. . . . . . .our congregation experience on as intimate a level as a meal shared together the poor, the hungry, the lonely, and the disenfranchised in our community when we might not normally do so. What it is we don't do: We don't. . . . . . . .heard our guests through the line, serve them, and then send them on their way a' la rescue mission soup kitchen. To the extent that it is possible, we attempt to eat with, to mutually fellowship with and to get to know our guests on a personal level. . . . . . .tie the necessity of their hunger, loneliness, and poverty to a zeal to evangelize. Worship schedules and table prayers are available on table tents at each table, but grace of the meal is not tied either to their response of faith or their lack of response. How is it we have done this: As a congregation we are gathering on Wednesday nights anyway for a meal and worship. We simply printed up and sent out invitations through the local food shelf, through our local congregations, and through various county agencies. We printed up a cook book with easy, mostly one-dish recipes for crowds of 25, 50, 75, and 100. A free will basket is placed, and the congregation is encouraged to contribute. The funds are then used either to defer expenses of the group providing the meal, or is contributed to the community Meal Slush Fund, which is then used to purchase kitchen staples, meat for the freezer, etc. to be used by anyone providing the meal for the week. THE ENTIRE EXPENSE OF THE MEAL IS shared BY THOSE WHO VOLUNTEER AND IS NOT BUDGETED AT ALL IN THE PARISH BUDGET. Who does this: . . . . . . ANYONE AND EVERYONE!!!!! Many sectors of the congregation's life have volunteered to serve meals: church council, choir, confirmation classes, individual families and various small groups. Why? I TELL YOU THE TRUTH, WHAT EVER YOU DID FOR ONE OF THE LEAST OF THESE BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF MINE, YOU DID FOR ME. MATTHEW 25:40

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