71st YMCA Good Friday fellowship breakfast a full house
More than 150 of the faithful got up early Friday, put on a nice outfit and happily greeted their fellow Christians at the 71st annual Good Friday Fellowship Breakfast at Butler YMCA.
The longtime breakfast was an event for men and boys until the 1980s, when women and girls were invited for the first time.
Larry Jack, of Connoquenessing Township, recalls attending the Good Friday breakfast at the “Y” when it was for boys and men, and his wife, Sue, remembers attending a Good Friday women’s breakfast at First United Methodist Church on North Street until the Y expanded the event.
“We want to continue our Christian beliefs and traditions,” Larry said of their attendance at the breakfast each Good Friday. “(People are) getting away from that.”
Danielle Hoffer, of Connoquenessing Township, attended the breakfast for the first time.
“I’ve never been, and I’ve always heard such good things about it,” she said. “I’m off work today, so I thought I’d come support the Y.”
She hoped everyone in attendance, whether longtime Christians or those new to the faith, found renewed hope in Jesus.
“Especially those who are hurting, that they would feel his love,” Hoffer said.
Alayna Kennedy, 12, gave a Scripture reading at the breakfast, which she also attended for the first time on Friday.
She was asked to give the reading because she is a member of the YMCA’s Reach and Rise youth program.
“It brings our community together,” Alayna said of the benefits of holding the annual breakfast.
Her family’s tablemate, Daryl Merrison of Butler, touted the benefits of the YMCA, which he said allows young people to pursue sports instead of less-wholesome activities.
“This might be the only place young people can come to play,” Merrison said.
Heidi Nicholls Bowser, director of membership and healthy living at the Butler YMCA, said the breakfast is attended by many of the Y’s staff and members, plus those from the community.
“It definitely says there is a strong Christian influence in Butler,” Nicholls Bowser said of the high attendance each year.
She said her employer is set apart from other organizations because it is the Young Men’s Christian Association.
“This event puts the ‘C’ in ‘YMCA,’” Nicholls Bowser said.
After noshing on a breakfast sandwich, fruit salad, yogurt, coffee and juice prepared in house, those attending sung hymns, said prayers and listened to the story of Christ’s suffering on Good Friday in unsettling and vivid detail by keynote speaker John Richardson, who is a lifeguard and lifeguard instructor at the Y.
Sandy Ihlenfeld, the Y’s executive director, told the crowd she was delighted to see each and every face on Friday morning.
“A YMCA is best with all the people and programs that we have, and I’m so glad you’re here,” she said.
