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Saved to serve
By DAWN CRIBBS
Associate Editor
Rod Bryan first brought the idea to the Outreach Committee at Memorial United Methodist Church.
Recalling a time in his own life when he was between jobs and money was scarce, he shared with the group the memory of the blessing of a meal, provided at no cost.
Could they do something similar here in McCook? Was there even a need for such a program?
Members of the committee investigated the project, questioned law enforcement and social agencies and discovered that, yes, there was a need.
In October 2005, they opened the doors of the fellowship hall ready and waiting. Three people showed up.
Not quite two years later, now on every Thursday of the year, they open those same doors and serve upwards of 60 people each week.
It was through a study of Rick Warren's "Purpose Driven Life" that Shanon Williams discovered the words that describe her purpose in what the group is accomplishing -- one Thursday, one meal, one person at a time -- "We are saved to serve," she said.
Working alongside Shanon, Jean Beideck echoed the sentiment, adding, with a chuckle, "This is where I'll be, 'til I drop over or they kick me out."
The meal service is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m., and the volunteers keep showing up, many of them coming straight from work, ready to slice, stir and pour whatever needs sliced, stirred or poured. Shanon's husband, Bill, is outside in the 90 degree heat, manning the grill, preparing more than 60 hamburger patties and 40 hot dogs.
The Outreach Committee plans the menus, the congregation fills the larder and the people come.
"We have young families, elderly folks and singles coming," said Shanon. There are the "regulars" she explained, but each week someone new comes, someone whose financial situation has made this outreach more than a blessing, more of a necessity.
"Anybody can experience a financial crisis," Shanon said, "and if we can provide just this one hot meal each week, it can help."
It's more than just a hot meal. During the winter months, the volunteers noticed that many of the patrons were hatless or gloveless and found a way to meet that need as well.
"We just put the word out to the congregation, and we had plenty to share," Shanon said.
Crossing the kitchen with serving utensils in hand, Jean said, "The time of fellowship is the best part. After supper we all visit together and have a good time."
It's during that time of fellowship, when the meal has been served and eaten, that unspoken needs finally find an audience.
"If anyone voices a deeper need," Shanon explained, "we do our best to meet that need or try to direct them to an agency that can help."
The Outreach Committee works closely with Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska and the Red Cross in meeting deeper needs.
Community involvement in the outreach is vital. Parent-Teacher groups and Sunday School classes have cooked meals and have come down to serve and McCook Harvest Church pitches in and provides the meals and volunteers on the months with five Thursdays.
"It is a community outreach," Shanon explained. "And we welcome anyone in the community or any service organization to be involved."
The volunteers were filled with words of praise for the congregation at MUMC.
"They have supported this effort in so many ways.
"We pick up the phone and they are ready to meet the need, whatever it is.
"The response has been huge."
A brief prayer is offered and the meal service begins. The volunteers are quick to fill each plate with as much as it can hold and offer a glass of tea, water or milk, always remembering that they have been "saved to serve."
For more information contact Shanon William at the church, 345-2445.