No reservations required for Community Thanksgiving Dinner

On Thanksgiving morning, Carol Bennett and several volunteers were in the kitchen at Lebanon First United Methodist Church to receive roasted turkeys for the 2 pm Community Thanksgiving Dinner. Meanwhile, others were busy in the church kitchen preparing gravy, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, peas, and green beans, while seasonal music played in the background.

This is the twelfth year for the Community Dinner, begun when Carol was chair of the Outreach Committee and Revs. Kathy and Kent King-Nobles were pastors of the Illinois church. 

“Everyone is welcome at the dinner!” exclaimed Carol, as she walked among the decorated tables of eight. Church members act as hosts and hostesses at each table, where the food is served family style. Those who participate include members of Lebanon First, those who would be celebrating Thanksgiving alone, others with health issues, and some who can’t afford a full meal.

As expected, more than fifty persons were greeted at the door and escorted to their tables on Thursday afternoon. In addition, nearly 40 take-out meals were delivered. All the food is donated by Lebanon First members and others from the community, and there is no charge for the meal.

Among those enjoying the “fixin’s” were four members of a family who had just returned from a memorial service for their mother and grandmother, who had died a few days earlier. Two international students from nearby McKendree University joined in. Four of the take-out meals were delivered to Rev. John Grob, the church’s pastor emeritus, and his family, whose health situation precluded his attendance.

More than Thanksgiving

The Community Thanksgiving Dinner is just one of many outreach ministries that originate with the Lebanon First congregation. Three other free community meals are served on Maundy Thursday, Father’s Day and in September, all with food donated by church members. Carol’s boundless energy and enthusiasm enlists others who help make the meals a success.

“Sometimes I feel overwhelmed,” she admitted. “But I feel closest to my faith in God when I am giving back.”

Carol also heads up the Helping Hands/Helping Neighbors ministry, which helps with home repairs and neighborhood projects. The ministry is funded largely through an annual dinner-silent auction. Carol was also instrumental in launching Lebanon Kids, now a city-wide summer program for children in the community.

Lebanon is a town of about 5, 000 located 35 miles east of St. Louis. The town hosts many community activities. Lebanon First participates in many of these events, including the Fall Festival. In 2011, their “Bread for Life” booth netted over $1400 for local and international mission projects. Members also maintain King’s Closet, located in a house just two doors down from the church, which offers clothing and household items at bargain prices. King’s Closet, open once a month for four hours, nets over $1000 a month for local ministries. The church sponsors an Angel Tree ministry for gifts for children at Christmas. It is also an active participant in the ecumenical Food Pantry.

Carol remarked that when she mentions to persons that she is a member at Lebanon First UMC, they respond by saying, “Oh – you’re the church that does everything for everybody!”

Noisy fellowship complements delicious food

Rev. Peter Wehrly, the current pastor at Lebanon First, was enjoying his role of host at his table. “I’m a little tired since I got up early to cook my turkey,” he smiled, “but I am so glad to be a part of what the church can be. The people of Lebanon First take seriously the call to be the hands and feet of Jesus in this community.”

At one table, Ralph, and his brother Joe and sister Ann, regaled their fellow diners with stories about his two beagles, Annie and I-Spy. This was the eighth year that they had come to the dinner. Gary, who runs a local appliance repair service, attends because he lives far from other family. Another family, recently transferred to the St. Louis area, were enjoying the Community Dinner for the first time.

Meanwhile, church member Tina Freeman was adding angels to the church’s Angel Tree. Tina estimates that the church will help 70 families, including 200 children and youth this year. About that time, Richard Boyd, Director of Music for the church, came through Fellowship Hall to gather some choir members to walk to Rev. Grob’s house to sing several carols.

It was a typical day for the Lebanon First UMC, busy being about their call from God in the community.