Kathy & Ken at their retirement party.

Wednesday evening services at our church used to be this way: The adults met in the church sanctuary for Prayer meeting. The young children met in the basement for their fun, crafts and lessons. The teens met at the parsonage. The three groups didn’t get together. That all changed when Kathy & Ken retired after careers in the US Postal Service. Ken had a rural route.

Kathy is a former Post Master, an organizer, leader of children’s ministries and very talented chalk artist. She’s also more than a little bit handy in the kitchen. Did I say she can organize?

Our church had just finished construction of our large fellowship hall. We held a retirement party for Kathy and Ken at the hall. Kathy wanted to start something new. Everyone agreed that it was a great idea. Many were willing to become a part of making it a reality.

Her idea has revolutionized Wednesday evenings for all of us. It works this way:
At 5 PM, Supper is ready. Kathy and her crew of volunteers have prepared it there in our commercial kitchen. It’s always tasty and nutritious. This week we had homemade pizza. Yum yum! Another time it could be meat loaf or scalloped potatoes and ham. There will be plenty of fresh fruit and veggies — even hot peppers for those of us who like such things. Garden salads are regular menu items. A variety of beverages are available. Don’t forget dessert. Leave a donation as you fill your plate. Thank you, that will cover the expenses.

You’ll probably see Carmen with her coat on and a large box in her hands. She heads for the door and her car. She’ll be back after she delivers some meals to our friends that aren’t able to get out to be with us.

Now find a seat at one of the many tables. If your friends aren’t already there, they soon will be.

For about an hour folk come in — some having just gotten out of work. We sit around the tables and the adults talk.

The children eat and are soon at play. In warm weather, they go out to the playground and enjoy the swings and slides and climb on the playscape under the watchful eye of an adult or two. This time of year they stay inside and soon the noise level increases.

One hears sounds of joy, squeals of delight, shouts of surprise, and once in a while, a yelp of pain. Someone has fallen. Mom, or another adult, comforts the fallen and makes sure they are okay. The play continues . . . Too soon it is time for the children to leave and go to the church basement for their special program. The teens head for the parsonage for their time together.

Already a crew of volunteers have been doing clean up of tables, chairs and floor. The kitchen crew is cleaning up their area. Other adults head to the conference room for Prayer Meeting and some stay behind for a Bible Study with our pastor.

We love to see visitors from the community come to visit us. They are welcome. So are you if you can make it.

Hungry? I am.