by Lucretia Mobbs

What draws you to a particular church family? My husband and I were initially drawn to McKendree Memorial United Methodist Church in Portland, TN, by their active service in our community. We came to know about McKendree through our Master Gardening group. One of our gardening group was also a member of McKendree, and we became very good friends. Dianne talked a lot about her church, and Bill and I were intrigued by the many ways they made Jesus known in the community.

We began to visit McKendree after the pandemic and every month the number of people served at the Grace Meal astounded us. I had to find out more about this ministry.

The Grace Meal started during the time Reverend Alex Jackson was pastor (2005-2011). Reverend Alex and a dedicated volunteer, Susan Seymour, felt a call to begin a community ministry bringing people together over a meal. Susan talked with the pastor and they rejoiced that God had placed the same call on them both at the same time! He wholeheartedly approved, and Pastor Steve VanHooser, our current pastor, wholeheartedly agrees this ministry blesses our community and our church.

Susan prayed and recruited other volunteers and they began to pray and plan. “We wanted to reach the whole community,” says Susan. “Some people just needed the companionship even if they could feed themselves. Others needed the meal and looked forward to the love and fellowship offered. It was a great day when we ran out of food and had to send someone to buy more. It meant we were growing.”

The food is delicious and healthy. It feels like your friend invited you over for lunch. These are good people who will help you in any way, and I live alone. — Jerry

Susan noted, “None of us knew how to organize something this large, but God showed us how and after six months we had our feet under us.” More volunteers were recruited. We needed drivers for take-out meals, dishwashers, greeters, and church members to bring desserts. Other church members donated money and one family bought a commercial refrigerator for the ministry. McKendree was and continues to be a gracious and generously giving congregation.

Whatever God lets me do, I will do. — Patricia, 89 years old and wheelchair bound McKendree member

Susan tells the story of a Little League coach who worked with a team at a park near the church. “He asked us for left overs from the meal to give to the children. We packed twelve containers of food plus desserts. I thanked him for doing this for the children.”

When Susan’s husband succumbed to dementia, the leadership of the Grace Meal passed to Linda Hendershot and she continues this fantastic ministry today. Linda is spiritually nourished knowing the Grace Meal may be the only meal of the day for some, and she is blessed to help in some small way.

I love helping anyone and want them to know they are welcome here. — Jeanette

Jim, our current dishwasher, is 94 years old and loves helping others by cleaning the pots and pans. Luke and Kerry set-up tables and slice the pies and cakes brought by church members. Other men of the church deliver take-out meals to a retirement home in the community. Peggy drives meals to the homebound. Until recently, others, including myself, stood in the shadow of the great greeter, Jo McCurdy, who has now passed away. Susan says of her, “She really livened things up, and made sure everyone was welcomed.” I loved Miss Jo and experienced firsthand how she made everyone feel loved and welcome. I hope to sprinkle a little of her joy to our guests each month.

It blesses me to see the community come together and enjoy one another. Spiritually it moves me to see our community helping and serving others. — Kerry

The Grace Meal is free to everyone, but some, like the Bingo group from the local library, give a donation as they feel led. Church members also give funds for the ministry.

I’ve come for four or five years and enjoy congregating with people, and I like the food. Getting to know new people is nice too. — Racshell

Our guests range from infants to 90-plus. Many of our guests hear about the meal from friends or neighbors. There are signs on major intersections and an invitation is on our church sign every month.

They help people. Some people ain’t got nothing. It’s a good place to meet people and the workers are good to ya. We’ve been coming for sixteen years now. — Carla and Terry

McKendree Memorial UMC has served over 16,000 meals to people in our community through the Grace Meal. It’s just one of the many ways we are the hands and feet of Jesus in Portland, TN.

And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.’ Matthew 25:40 NRSV

#

Lucretia Mobbs is a Jesus follower and a member of McKendree Memorial United Methodist Church, Portland TN