Local churches open kitchens during Thanksgiving holiday
Turkey, bread and pies promote fellowship, according to the Rev. Bob Hurd.
“Church is what we do all weeklong,” said Hurd, lead pastor at Whitestown Road Baptist Church. “One thing God called us to do is have fellowship together and break bread.”
For its seventh year, the church is hosting its free community Thanksgiving meal at noon Sunday. For more information, visit facebook.com/WhitestownRoadBaptistChurch/, whitestownroadbaptist.com or call the church office at 724-287-2978.
At the same time, Hurd is coming into his seventh year as pastor, he said.
When he arrived, one of the first activities he created was a Thanksgiving meal.
Last year, the church served about 50 people, Hurd said.
Community is important, he said, adding one natural way to build relationships is by talking and eating.
That is when the church opened its doors to other types of fellowship and to reflect on blessings during the holiday, he said.
For more than 20 years, Butler Area Catholic Parishes have provided free Thanksgiving meals to anyone who asked, according to the church bulletin.
The five parishes will have their Thanksgiving Community Meal from noon to 1 p.m. Thanksgiving Day at St. Peter Catholic Parish Hall, 127 Franklin St. Participants are asked to text or call 724-427-4153 or email ButlerThanksgiving@gmail.com to reserve a seat by 5 p.m. Sunday.
In 2018, volunteers provided more than 1,600 meals.
The Nixon United Methodist Church is having its free community Thanksgiving dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the church at 334 Airport Road.
Reservations are appreciated. Call 724-586-7372 or email nixonumoffice@zoominternet.net.
Eat in and take out are available.
People are encouraged to bring a nonperishable food donation for the Southwest Butler County Food Cupboard.
Ahead of the holiday, other churches will continue to serve the meals they offer year round.
A free community meal from 5 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at Saint Andrews United Presbyterian Church, 201 E. Jefferson St., is sponsored by Unionville and Muddy Creek Presbyterian churches.
Unionville and Muddy Creek Presbyterian churches have offered their service to St. Andrews for seven years, said the Rev. Matthew Kail, pastor of Unionville United Presbyterian Church and Muddy Creek Evangelical Presbyterian Church.
The community meal is one option for people to attend who might feel lonely around the holiday, said Kail, who has been with the churches for 17 years.
More than the food, the mission of food pantries and community dinners are to offer people fellowship and care consistently, he said.
Thessalonians 5:18 details that people should always be giving thanks, Hurd said.
“God made us to have relationships, not to keep to ourselves and not to keep the blessings of God to ourselves,” he said. “Why not be friendly? This is the perfect way to share in the blessings and get to know each other.”
