A Thanksgiving to give

By Stewart Orell

It’s early in the morning and the turkey and dressing are almost done, and the smells are definitely enough, to make anyone’s mouth water. It’s another Thanksgiving at Gerald Hall behind Saint Gregory Catholic church and Lynn Smith is giving instructions to a first time couple who are going to deliver some Hot Thanksgiving meals, as she points out the location on the map and gives some information about the color of the house, she makes sure no detail is overlooked.

When she gets done with that she’s off taking care of some other important detail and to some it may look like confusion but to those who have been here before, they know that this is a well oiled operation that grows each year.

There are some amazing things going on in this little house behind the church, this is the business of being the church, Gods people are coming together to share the gift of food and fellowship with those who may otherwise have a lonely day and not much too eat.

This all started 13 years ago at Lynn Smiths House with ten people to serve and as word got out now it’s 130 plus to serve, and it takes 120 pounds of turkey, 45 lbs. of potatoes, cases of fruit, bread, cookies, baskets, maps and volunteers.

It is great to see the diversity of the volunteers with different denominations, races, ages, occupations that have come together to show their love on this day of Thanksgiving, but the enthusiasm of the youth to want to get the job done and when set to the task of making 130 bag lunches then 130 fruit baskets is so great, they go from one task to the next with ease, all with the help of many volunteers who have prepared the assembly line. All of the Thanksgiving food is assembled in short order, and now the last task before the distribution, a prayer is offered, then all the hot food is assembled and all the cars start to load up and deliver the gift of love that has been prepared once again by Gods grace.

This truly is a cooperative ministry that represents the many members of the body of Christ Churches represented are, Saint Gregory Catholic Church of Smithville, Saint Stevens Catholic Church of Nashville,Allens Chapel United Methodist of Smithville, New Short Mountain United Methodist of Woodbury, 1st Baptist of Joelton, Hickman Baptist, Whorton Springs Baptist of Smithville, Smithville Church of Christ, Smithville Church of Nazarene and Mt Hope of Smithville.

Where Christ’s lessons of compassion, love and being one Body and of one accord are being fulfilled and taught to the next generation because if we don’t who will? A hot meal is also offered on Christmas eve, the day after Christmas and New years day.

If you are interested in volunteering, know someone who could use a hot meal or want to support this ministry Contact Lynn Smith at 1-615-597-5662 and leave a message.