Ministry of hospitality puts love into action
Wearing matching T-shirts that read, “We’re small but MIGHTY and bringing our A game,” about 25 members of Arlington United Methodist Church crowded around griddles and stoves to cook lunch for those less fortunate than themselves.
The program, known as Table Talk, takes place from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Mondays at Highland Heights United Methodist Church, where it was founded over a decade ago. The participants, who are identified as low-income, unemployed or homeless, receive free food from Highland Height’s pantry, if needed; attend hourlong sessions for art and Bible study; and have a hot meal served to them by volunteers like those from Arlington United Methodist.
Rich Cook, the pastor at Highland Heights, said the program, which started as a weekly Bible study, is “about loving folks.” Through it, he said, the church now feeds more than 5,000 people every year.
Ken Stewart, the Arlington pastor, said his church has been volunteering for the meal portion of the ministry every fifth Monday for the past two years. “It is more than just giving money,” he said. “The big thing is that we actually use our hands, that we’re physically able to serve those in need.”
Pam Staniroiprepai created the art ministry four years ago. “I worked in the soup kitchen for five years,” she said. Noting that art is her passion,
she said she felt called to allow others to experience that joy.
She started taking supply donations from individuals and businesses like The Art Center and Frame Corner, and what she put together is a space where people “can make whatever they want.”
On Monday, so many people, young and old, gathered in her art room that she had to open the room next door too.
“People started expressing themselves,” she said. “They deal with so many things. It started stirring up the emotions in people.”
Arlington United Methodist, known for serving breakfast for lunch, donated all of the food its members prepared — enough to feed more than 120 adults and children who showed up, with plenty to spare.
There were eight children, all 11 years old and under, from various congregations volunteering. Crystal Fabacher, a member of the Arlington church, brought her two oldest children with her
ichard, 6, and Addie, 4, helped roll out a cart lined with bowls of sliced peaches, passed out i ndividually wrapped pats of butter, and visited with attendees.
“We talk about being the hands and feet of Christ, and I thought this would be a good opportunity to show them how to be the hands and feet. We enjoy serving as a family,” said Fabacher.
Willie Oliver is a regular at Table Talk. He asked that his friend, a former participant who passed away about a week ago, be remembered during the prayer before lunch was served. Several people sitting near him nodded.
“I come here every Monday,” Oliver said. “It brings all of us together. You get to meet people who are dealing with the same things and get some nourishment.
“You know, I’m homeless, and this is real good and helpful to me in my life.”
Kenneth Holeman, 58, attends Table Talk about twice a month.
“I’m hungry,” he said. “I’m happy here because they let me eat.”
“This is just one of the ways we live out our faith,” Stewart said. “For us, it’s just a way that we can show the love of Christ in a practical way.”