Record Number Served

Today was Amazing, as God always is.  We served 260 folks who ate in or took a meal home.  There were still others that came for the Clothing Distribution that did not eat.  I had to practice with the choir so I was not there for most of the day.  What a great feeling to know that the other Volunteers can and will go on without me.  I always knew I was dispensable. 

Photos with Santa were a big hit for children and those young at heart.  Photos will be available in the church office starting Monday.  Santa know the Easter Bunny, so we may have pictures with him near Easter.

Canned food was available and many families were able to take home food for the next week. 

Several outside groups helped with the meals.  If this continues we will be able to go to a weekly meal in February or March.

The Nicholasville UMC Choir performed two songs from their Cantata.  That was swell received and all were invited to the entire concert tomorrow at 9:30 and 11:00 am.

If this was the crowd today, I can’t wait to see what God has in mind for Christmas Day!?!?!?!?  We will be distributing toys, hats/gloves/scarves, fruit and treats on Christmas day to children.  The response has been amazing with monetary donations and donations of toys. 

God’s people have Big Hearts and he acknowledges and remembers.  God Bless and Thank You to all.

Breakfast Manna Meal for Nov. 28th

Thanks to three very large leftover casseroles from a church breakfast we were able to offer a wonderful Breakfast Buffet for the Manna Meal this week.  We had:  Sausage/egg/cheese/grits casserole,  Sausage/Crouton/Egg casserole, Spicy Mexican casserole,  Biscuits, Sausage Gravy, Fried Potatoes, Fruit and assorted Muffins/Pastries.  Everyone seemed to enjoy the meal.  We served a total of 116.  We had several new faces and some new volunteers. 

The New Beginning – Clothes Closet was open and provided some welcome winter clothing for many people.   People that have previously visited the closet were asked to limit what they were taking to make sure we have adequate clothes for new people.

The next meal on Dec. 12th will feature – Pictures with Santa,  Conert by the NUMC Choir,  Clothing distribution and another wholesome meal. 

A meal will be served on Christmas Day – Friday – Dec. 25th.  There will be toys, treat bags, gloves/mittens for the children.  Children must be present to receive gifts.  A wonderful meal will also be served and the LOVE of Christ will be given out Freely.  What a wonderful way to celebrate Jesus’ Birthday.

Exciting Meals coming up

Nov. 28th – great meal – Breakfast/Brunch   An exciting menu:  Sausage Grits casserole,  Mexican casserole,  Sausage Crouton Casserole, Scrambled eggs, Biscuits, Gravy, Grits, Fruit and Breakfast Pastries.  This should be a great day.

Clothing distribution for Winter clothing.

Dec. 12th  – Santa will be there for “Pictures with Santa”.   The church choir will be performing during the meal.  The clothing distribution will be availabe for items needed before Christmas.  Menu will be:  Spaghetti with meat sauce, green beans and salad.

Dec. 25th – CHRISTMAS DAY – Jesus’s Birthday Party.  Holiday Meal,  Christmas presents for children and adults, Love, Fellowship and a time to be together as Christ’s family.

Come and join us as a volunteer, donor or diner. 

This program is totally funded by free will offerings from our church members, community groups and individuals.  100% of the donations are used for the meals.  There are no overhead administrative costs.

More God Moments

During the meal on Nov. 14th one of our diners sat with some of our volunteers.  As she was leaving she said that she would “pray for us”.  What a wonderful statement that those we are ministering to are praying for us.

A family who needed firewood attended and we were able to connect them with a person who had firewood to give away.

God is amazing and I can’t wait to see how he will continue to work in this ministry.

Manna Meal Nov. 14, 2009

Another Amazing Day.  We served 165 meals to those in attendance, take out meals and volunteers.  We had two volunteer groups who had not attended before.  They were GREAT.  With a total of 20 new volunteers several of our regular volunteers took the day off.  The menu was:  Turkey,  Dressing,  Mashed Potatoes/Gravy, Green Beans and Cranberry sauce.   We had volunteers who cooked “8″ turkeys.  We start serving at 11am  (we usually start early).  By 11:15 we had used FOUR pans of turkey.  I started to “worry”.  I should learn to relax as God provides.  We had plenty of turkey for everyone to be served and some leftovers. 

We feel that God is leading to expand the ministry to a weekly meal.  To be able to accomplish this we need more volunteers.  We will split our NUMC family into teams so some people from our church will be at each meal, but we need about 15 people to compliment our members. 

The next meals will be:   Nov. 28th,  Dec. 12th and a Special Meal on FRIDAY, Dec. 25th. – Christmas Day.  What a wonderful way to celebrate Christ’s birth than by mininstering to those who may not be as blessed as we are with family and friends to spend Christmas day with.  There will be a Toy distribution for the children as well as Hats/Gloves, etc. 

 

Record Day – Oct. 24th, 2009

We served a record number of diners today.  Christmas last year had more people, but a lot of the people were volunteers.  We served 84 people in the Community Center, provided 51 take out meals and had 25 volunteers.  That’s a total of 160 people.  Isn’t God Amazing.  We had just enough food. 

We saw a lot of new diners as well as volunteers.  Several people came for the clothing distribution and were not aware of the meal.  They were pleasantly surprised to receive a free meal also.  We also had several new volunteers.  I know they will be back.

The New Beginning – Free Clothing Ministry distributed a tremendous amount of clothes today.  That ministry is in need of children/baby clothes and coats.  Seasonal adult clothing is also needed.  We hope to distribute clothing again at the end of November.  Donations can be made to the church office M-F from 9am-noon and 1pm-3pm.

We hope to take the meal to a weekly meal in January 2010.  If you would like to get involved please contact this website of the church office at:  859-885-4481.  We expect the number of diners to double.  You will truly be blessed.

Manna Meal for Oct. 10, 2009

Another God filled day.  We served 110 meals.  We had new volunteers and new diners.  The menu of Vegetable Beef soup/Mixed Bean Pork stew,  Pimento cheese/Ham salad sandwiches,  Fruit salad/Three bean salad was well received.  On a chilly day the warm soup and conversation hit the spot.

The goal for weekly meals is for January 2010.  If you have not gotten involved in Manna and would like to,  you can contact either the church office:  859-885-4481, respond to this blog, e-mail me at:  MomAdele@aol.com or call me at 859-421-8974. 

God is definately leading the direction of this Ministry.  I pray that we are listening correctly.

Manna Birthday Celebration

A wonderful day.  We served 142 people.  We had 61 eat-in diners which is the most ever that does not include the volunteers.  We had numerous new faces and many came for the Free clothing.  What a blessing New Beginning (clothing ministry) has been to people.  Thanks to Brenda for heading up this ministry.

Several dignitaries attended the meeting:  Judge Cassity, Mayor Myer, Rep. Damron and two Councilmen:  Doug Blackford and Frank Hubbard.  Representatives from:  First Southern Bank,  Jessamine Co. Beef Cattle Assoc. and Wilmore Free Methodist attended.  We also had plaques for Panera Bread, St. Luke Catholic Church and Nicholasville UMC. 

A wonderful PowerPoint commenorating the last year was prepared by Teri.  We celebrated with Cake and Ice Cream after the meal was served.  The menu for the meal was:  Chicken Pot Pie or Baked Spaghetti,  Green Beans and Cole Slaw.  The diners were able to take home some groceries which included potatoes.

We pray that more groups/individuals will become involved so we can expand the offering to a weekly meal.

Manna Meal – August 22nd

God is so good and opens up amazing opportunites if we just “Listen” and follow. 

We served 144 people today at the Manna Meal.  We ran out of the main dish:  Meatloaf, mashed potatoes/gravy and green beans, but we always keep Spaghetti and sauce ready so no one will go away hungry.  I guess next time I will have to make 40-50 lbs. of hamburger into meatloaf.  We used 30 lbs. for today’s dish.

New Beginning – Free Clothing Ministry kicked off during the Manna Meal.  A lot of new faces came specifically for the clothing.  One young girl had come with her mother.  After she went home she brought back two neighbor boys to get some clothes. 

One young man (about 7) was handed a loaf of Raisin Bread (donated from Panera Bread).  By looking at his face, he had gotten the best present ever.  He held the bread with such love and care. 

Our Praise Band was practicing and the early arrivals were clapping and singing along with the band.  We may think about music while we eat.  Volume would have to be reduced so conversation could take place. 

Mr. F. was there early again.  This time by 9am.  We give him a cup of coffee and talk with him inbetween setting things up.  He is 85 and walks to the meal each week. 

New volunteer groups are coming alongside.  We still need more groups/individuals to be able to expand to a weekly meal.  We pray we can accomplish this (of course through God) by November.

Manna Meal August 8, 2009

A great day for a Manna Meal.  The weather was rather hot, but no rain.  We had a lot fo new faces and some of our regulars did not attend.  We were distributing school supplies.  We really did not advertise.  Phone calls into the church office for help were informed of the distribution and our Hispanic Ministry was aware of the fact that we would be giving out school supplies. 

We planned on giving out 50 packages with backpacks for Kindergarten or First Grade students.  We gave out 34 units.  Additional units are available in the church office this week.  Leftover supplies will be stores and handed out at Christmas, since most students will need to replenish supplies by midyear.

Thank you for the generosity of our Congregation.  We had over $500 in monetary contributions and many people donated items to be used.  You are Wonderful and definately have the Heart of Jesus.