Saturday Lunch Ministries at First Reformed United Church of Christ
{Could not provide the ministry without our volunteers!
(front) Corrine Gray, Joe Browder, John Maze, Smithie Parrish
(back) Cindi Easter, Camille Morgan, Marge Doty, Cathy Browder, Glenyce and Dave Fulton. Contributed Photos.}
Hello to all. My name is John Maze, and I have been a member at First Reformed since moving to Lexington from the Charlotte area approximately five years ago. The United Church of Christ has always attracted me for all it stands for. The church is very devoted to serving those who are in need physically and socially.
left, John Maze, right, Ben Hale
My husband and I are proud to attend First Reformed and serve the community every single Saturday with a hot, nutritious meal. I am very proud of the approximately 25 volunteers within the congregation and friends outside of the congregation who help make this mission possible.
Previously I helped serve meals in a UCC in Concord, NC. One Saturday the turnout was very low. The lady who was responsible for ensuring the program rolled out weekly had a sister who would work with her cooking. Her sister asked her if maybe they should stop if the turnout was going to slow down like it had. Her response was, if we serve 5, that is 5 people who didn’t go hungry today. We will move on and continue to serve the community. That always stayed with me!
Fast forward years later to Lexington, a church friend from Concord, and now Pastor of First Reformed United Church of Christ, Elizabeth Horton, asked me how we could get more involved with hunger since COVID had put an end to the Monday night meal where we worked with Open Hands of Davidson County to serve 90-110 people with live music. We found from friends that Saturday was the one day of the week there were no meals available for the homeless and others in need. Very quickly, First Reformed approved a Saturday Lunch program.
The lunch program started February 20, 2021 and continues to serve the community each Saturday beginning at 12:30 until 1:30 pm. Perhaps the most memorable moment of this program was the Saturday Lunch on Christmas Day. We had tables outside to offer seating, as well as socks, blankets, and other clothing items available. Thirteen volunteers helped serve 96 people that day! We were fortunate to have temperatures in the 70’s with lots of sunshine. Christmas music played outside for holiday enjoyment.
I am very thankful for the love and kindness First Reformed United Church of Christ offers to everyone. There is no exception to saying ALL are welcome here. We strive to break norms in the community to help those in need. Holidays or not, we are there to ensure people are able to go through the daywithout hunger. There is great comradery and fun in our kitchen!
As we get through COVID, we are now serving up to 25 people at a time inside the fellowship hall, and we continue to offer take-out meals. While I am concerned when I don’t see someone for three weeks, I also rejoice seeing someone whose life has improved thru health, education or employment and has beat the odds. Lives are not without hope. We are there to help give not just food but hope and prayerto everyone who needs us. Come by and join us for a hot meal or jump in the kitchen and help!
John Maze
Coordinator, Saturday Lunch Ministry
