At St. Andrew’s in Sutton, Ont., a town on Lake Simcoe, the congregation is small. Tiny even. However, it grows to nearly four times its size when considering the people who visit the church every Tuesday for a free community meal—a weekly event that celebrated its 10th birthday last month.
“This meal celebrated the serving of well over 45,000 suppers over 10 years, something we never could foresee when we first began,” said Gayle Clarke, an elder and meal committee member.
The 10th anniversary dinner was served in style by local celebrity chef, Neil Noseworthy, who has contributed his talents in the past. There were 85 in attendance, including the town’s councillor and local media, with music led by elder Leo Teufel.
From the beginning, the meal has been a community effort.
“The ecumenical flavour of this ministry is exciting, and through it, we have developed meaningful relationships with our local Anglican and United churches,” said Clarke, mentioning that local businesses have also helped make this ministry possible. “Over the years, other churches in our area and within our presbytery have played a major role too, both physically and financially, and we thank them for their loving support.”
The Presbyterian Church is no stranger to closing withering congregations that have lost members and no longer possess the drive or ability to continue. But St. Andrew’s, Sutton, while small in official numbers, remains vibrant and devoted to its work.
“If we lament the fact that we are small and getting older, we miss the point,” said Clarke. “We as Christians can be effective as long as we still get passionate about the wonders God performs, not in spite of us but through us.
The congregation—including those who come for the meal—also supports a mission in Sierra Leone.
“A former moderator’s encouraging words come to mind: ‘When counting the butts in the pews, remember to include those who attend the meal.’ Our guests unknowingly remind us of this regularly; when they are asked about their church connection, they identify with St. Andrew’s.”
Brenda Dickie, an elder and committee member, shared some of the wisdom she’s garnered in the last decade:
1) “One woman joining us asked, ‘Have they already said grace? Should I just say my own?’ I assured her that she should do that, and went about being Martha, serving plates of food. Mary would have sat to pray with her. As we journey in our outreach, we learn that mission is not just about ‘doing;’ it’s about ‘being.'”
2) “One of our long – time guests has come a long way. She now shares with us her faith – based family roots, and as she shares her concerns for family, it’s easy to see there is a seed of faith within her. I wonder if our persistent caring has managed to nurture that seed?”
3) “One gentleman is pleased to participate by saying grace, as do others, and another is eager to share a devotional story. They have found a place where they are accepted, and some have not encountered a lot of that.”
“In looking back at an old report for our annual general meeting, we’re reminded that ‘the community meal feeds all of us, volunteers included,'” said Clarke. “‘It fills the need for companionship where people live on their own; it develops a sense of family for those who have none; it provides a brief respite from the harshness of the elements; and the gratitudes expressed fill our hearts and remind us why we’ve been called to this task. We are the hands and feet of Christ, and large or small, we are meant to feed His sheep.’ It is a joyful duty.”
