An Update on West Lawn's Kitchen Ministry
This past spring and summer, Pastor Tom and members of our staff spent time in conversation with the many faithful volunteers of our Kitchen Ministry Team, exploring what the next season of this ministry might look like. Through individual meetings and group discussions, they considered shared leadership models, and different ways the ministry's responsibilities might be structured or divided.
What became clear through these conversations is just how complex and well-run this ministry truly is. Under the long-time leadership of Ed and Joyce, what might look like a "simple" kitchen team has proven to be something far more significant, carried out faithfully week after week for twenty-five years. It's a ministry West Lawn can be genuinely proud of, and one built on real teamwork, both in attitude and in action.
Despite these efforts, the church has not been able to identify the leadership needed to continue West Lawn Wednesday dinners at this time. As a result, the difficult decision has been made that Wednesday dinners will not resume this fall.
This is not, however, the end of the Kitchen Ministry. Should new leadership arise in the future, a delayed start will gladly be considered. In the meantime, our monthly shelter meals will continue, as will our Sunday morning Community Breakfasts from November through April. In the coming weeks, the congregation will hear more about opportunities to help prepare the more than 800 shelter meals provided each month, and about ways to strengthen and expand the Community Breakfast ministry.
This season is an opportunity to ask a larger question: What might the next chapter of food ministry at West Lawn look like? The needs of our church and community haven't changed, and neither has the willingness of so many to serve. What may change is simply how we organize ourselves to meet those needs.
While there is disappointment that Wednesday dinners won't begin this fall, there is also deep gratitude for all this ministry has accomplished, and hope for what God may yet do through it. Twenty-five years of faithful ministry is not something to simply close the book on; it's a foundation to build upon.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this ministry over the years, through countless meals prepared, tables set, dishes washed, early mornings, late evenings, and people served. Most of all, thank you for a shared understanding that this ministry has never really been about food. It has always been about hospitality, fellowship, service, and caring for our neighbors.
Please join us in prayer as we discern what this next season will look like.
What became clear through these conversations is just how complex and well-run this ministry truly is. Under the long-time leadership of Ed and Joyce, what might look like a "simple" kitchen team has proven to be something far more significant, carried out faithfully week after week for twenty-five years. It's a ministry West Lawn can be genuinely proud of, and one built on real teamwork, both in attitude and in action.
Despite these efforts, the church has not been able to identify the leadership needed to continue West Lawn Wednesday dinners at this time. As a result, the difficult decision has been made that Wednesday dinners will not resume this fall.
This is not, however, the end of the Kitchen Ministry. Should new leadership arise in the future, a delayed start will gladly be considered. In the meantime, our monthly shelter meals will continue, as will our Sunday morning Community Breakfasts from November through April. In the coming weeks, the congregation will hear more about opportunities to help prepare the more than 800 shelter meals provided each month, and about ways to strengthen and expand the Community Breakfast ministry.
This season is an opportunity to ask a larger question: What might the next chapter of food ministry at West Lawn look like? The needs of our church and community haven't changed, and neither has the willingness of so many to serve. What may change is simply how we organize ourselves to meet those needs.
While there is disappointment that Wednesday dinners won't begin this fall, there is also deep gratitude for all this ministry has accomplished, and hope for what God may yet do through it. Twenty-five years of faithful ministry is not something to simply close the book on; it's a foundation to build upon.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this ministry over the years, through countless meals prepared, tables set, dishes washed, early mornings, late evenings, and people served. Most of all, thank you for a shared understanding that this ministry has never really been about food. It has always been about hospitality, fellowship, service, and caring for our neighbors.
Please join us in prayer as we discern what this next season will look like.