Church will again host Thanksgiving dinner
Berean Seventh Day Adventist Church in Uniontown will once again host a Thanksgiving dinner for those in need. The dinner will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 22 at the church, which is located at the corner of Searight and Butler streets. The church will feed the hungry, homeless, unemployed, lonely, senior citizens and those with low incomes.
“Some people come just for the fellowship,” said Patience Barnes, director of the church’s community services ministry.
The dinner attracts about 100 people who come to eat a turkey entree, dressing, gravy, green beans, corn, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, cole slaw and desserts that include pie.
Local businesses and organizations are helping the 25-member church make this dinner possible with one local group baking 15 pies.
The dinner began 19 years ago when Barnes decided that Thanksgiving was turning into a smorgasbord feast and not helping people. She asked the congregation to make a difference.
“The church said, ‘That’s great but how do we do it?”‘ she remembered. “We decided to pray and ask those in the community to help us reach out.”
The community has always responded but the congregation also does its part, collecting pennies, nickels and dimes every December through the following November for Operation Jesus Feed. The effort garners about $300 and community contributions enable the church not only to offer a dinner but to also give food baskets.
In addition, the church distributes about 500 pieces of clothing and shoes prior to the start of the dinner. The clothing distribution takes place outside and almost every year, the weather has been good for this project.
“We’ve seen miracles,” said Barnes. “It might snow but it melts before the dinner and the weather goes up to 60 degrees. We do what’s possible and we ask the Lord to take care of the weather.”
The dinner has been a blessing to the community but it is also a blessing to the church.
“When you help others, you help yourself,” said Barnes.
“By giving of yourself to others, you get the blessing.”
The Rev. William Vincent is pastor. Anyone who would like to donate to the dinner can contact the church by calling 724-438-3349 or 724-547-4658.