On Wednesday, Nov. 21, Glad Tidings Church of God in Christ, located at 703 Robert L. Parks Blvd. (formerly South Broad Street) will be serving up a traditional Thanksgiving meal for those in need from the Cedartown community.
Sarah McCombs, the church’s secretary, said the meals would
be ready for take out at the church from 12 noon to about 2:30 p.m. or until the food runs out.
“We will have the traditional menu for Thanksgiving; turkey and dressing, gravy, cranberry sauce, green beans, potato salad, rolls and cake.”
The meals are all prepared by 10-15 church members who volunteer their time cooking, serving the meals and cleaning up afterwards.
The members begin to plan and coordinate the meal weeks
ahead of time and begin cooking the day before the meal is served.
“The children also like to help out by signing people in and stacking the plates when we prepare for the meal,” McCombs said.
Bishop Henderson Spivey has been the church’s pastor for 29 years.
Like so many others, he experiences depression around the holidays. He began delivering Thanksgiving meals to homebound persons about 14 years ago, in part to help alleviate his depression during the holidays.
“Holidays are a time of suffering for me because I have depression. I started delivering meals to others to help me remember how blessed I am,” he said.
Church members soon began helping him and eventually they began serving the meals from the church.
“It has now become a part of our church’s ministry that the Lord began. Everyone is welcome,” he said, “regardless of color, creed, or race. The Lord stretches the food.”
McCombs added that the people who come and get food are very appreciative of the ministry, “They look forward to the meal and knowing we care. Some are lonely and need to see a friendly face.”
Most of those who come for the meal are from Cedartown, but when Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans and surrounding areas, these persons who had relocated to Rome also came for the Thanksgiving meal. “We were glad to help them at such a hard time,” McCombs stated.
McCombs also recalled a lady calling last week to remind the church that she wanted a plate reserved for her. McCombs said it is a favorite time for both those that come for the meal and those who serve, “We all enjoy it.”
Anyone who wishes to help support this ministry can contact the church.
Another church is opening its heart and kitchen on Thanksgiving Day for those who find themselves in need of a hot meal and good fellowship.
Rockmart United Methodist Church will host a Thanksgiving meal Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the church’s fellowship hall.
According to church member, Kristi Hughes, the church’s organization “Because He Lives” is sponsoring the meal in order to “be able to truly live out the Christian life, because He (Jesus) lives.”
This is the sixth year the group has held this community ministry.
Church member Mike Howe states that this ministry has grown throughout the years, “We serve about 100-150 individuals, both here at the church and home deliveries. We also take meals to the fire department and police station.”
Howe stated that if anyone in Cedartown is unable to come to the church to eat and is in need of a Thanksgiving Day meal, they can phone a day ahead to have one delivered. “Please give your address and how many people need a meal.” The number to call is 770-546-0013.
Howe said those who attend really appreciate the food and fellowship, “We have people who come every year to eat. But I think I get more out of it than the people who come.”
Hughes said it benefits those who serve as well as those who come to eat. “We have families that really look forward to it. This gives children and young adults an idea of how they are blessed and how they can bless others.”
Hughes stated that anyone who wishes to donate money to the “Because He Lives” group may do so by contacting the church. The group was formed after a Sunday school teacher encouraged the members to live out their Christian life day by day. This meal is only one way the group tries to be the hands of Christ; they have other benevolent ministries for the community too.
“Doing something in the smallest way may have the greatest effect on others,” Hughes said.
The church is located at 135 Church Street, Rockmart. The pastor is Reverend Al Cunningham.
Post a Comment