Lunch and Love

    A Proposed

Relational, Food and Fellowship, Mid-day Ministry to Our Neighbors

John 21:17    “… do you love me? … Feed my sheep.”
Exodus 4:2    “What is that in your hand?”

Lunch and Love would provide a weekly, communal, “covered dish” style mid-day meal to elderly or “shut-in” people who live relatively close to a church. A leader would coordinate beforehand the menu and the number of people expected (who brings what and for how many), and plan for a devotional and/or entertainment program after the meal. In addition to bringing food, participants would commit to invite one or two people and transport them to and from each gathering. Ideally, participants should drop off the food on the way to their first “pick-up,” so that guests receive undivided attention during the entire time they are present. An additional volunteer could receive the food and set up the serving line.

This relational ministry concept capitalizes on what United Methodists already do well – eating together – and allows even tiny churches with predominately older members to offer fellowship and feed body and spirit. It can be accomplished within a few hours by three or more lay persons, with or without clergy participation. Anyone available at the scheduled time and able to cook and drive can participate. Obviously, it could be scheduled more or less frequently, but weekly meals would have a great impact. It could be called by other names (like Breaking Bread or Ladles of Love) and serve other menus (like soup, salad and sandwich). The program could precede or follow the meal.