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St. Paul’s Table of Plenty serves God through service to people
By LINDA M. LINONIS
NEW MIDDLETOWN
There’s more than good food on the menu at St. Paul’s Table of Plenty.
Conversation, laughter, children playing, people making friends and enjoying fellowship are side dishes.
The community event at St. Paul the Apostle Church is one of four meals offered Tuesdays by churches in Springfield Township Council of Churches. St. Paul’s has the slot the second Tuesday of the month.
At St. Paul’s, a different organization within the church or groups of families coordinate the monthly meal that’s offered from January through November. This week, it was the pastoral council.
The Rev. Christopher Luoni, pastor, and Michael Woodall, a council member, said the Rev. Stephen Popovich, former pastor who was injured in a car accident, had suggested the church participate. Deb Donatelli, co-chairwoman of the pastoral council, said the “meal was a dream of Father Popovich and the church followed through.” The congregation is in its second year of participation.
Woodall said the first meal had about 75 people while others have attracted as many as 225. Each group coordinating the meal sets the menu. This week, some 200 toasted cheese sandwiches were served along with spicy and mild chili, salad and cupcakes.
Woodall, a retired food administrator for the federal prison in Elkton, said he’s supervised the preparation of some 3,000 meals, so he has used his expertise in the community meal effort. “We enjoy doing it,” he said of the volunteers who aptly handle the project. “We usually have a steady crowd.”
Donatelli said Bill McMahon, council co-chairman, came up with the name. “It’s good for the community ... whether you could use the meal or would like some companionship.” Donatelli said. Families with children and senior citizens and everyone in between attend, she said. “Everyone is welcome, no matter why you’re coming,” she said.
“The church is our home and we want to break bread and welcome people to our home,” Donatelli said.
Father Luoni said the community event provides a meal for those who may need it while offering a welcoming setting for people to gather. “It provides a place for people to get to know one another,” he said.
The pastor said the community meals reflect the relationship members have with Christ ... following His example of caring for people. The events also strengthen the relationship among churches. “We may follow different faith traditions but we’re called to serve by the same God,” Father Luoni said. He noted that St. Paul, with a membership of some 900 families, has the resources to help in the community and a responsibility to do so.
Jeff Chance, youth minister who was serving chili, said by volunteering at the event he “leads by example.” “I want young people to realize that by serving others they serve God,” he said. A self-described “worker bee,” Peg Elston said she likes to be of service to help people.
Lee Eminhizer, who was grilling toasted cheese sandwiches to melted perfection, spearheaded the Garden Share Program, which travels to each of the community meals. Potatoes, celery, squash, turnips, onions, oranges and apples and bagged beans including lima, navy, kidney, Great Northern and Mexican and a hearty bean soup mix were available. It’s free or a voluntary contribution.
Eminhizer said the idea for the project came to her after she noticed produce in backyard gardens going to waste. “I thought it would be a good idea to use the garden produce to help people,” she said. “The food helps supplement people’s diets.”
Church members volunteer to tend a garden devoted to supplying the Garden Share Program.
“I’m serving people in God’s kingdom,” she said. “It gives me a positive feeling.”
Mary Ann Rhodes, a Garden Share volunteer, said the free produce helps “people stretch their budgets.” “God calls us to help our neighbors,” she said, noting this program accomplishes that.