Be present at our table, Lord, be here and everywhere adored, These mercies bless, and grant that we may feast in fellowship with Thee.
Guests file through the serving line at the free Community Christmas dinner.
PERHAPS THEY NOTICED the words above the church basement kitchen window, perhaps they didn’t. But the hundreds of diners who filed through the serving line at the annual Community Christmas Dinner at Fourth Avenue United Methodist Church in Faribault on Sunday, were blessed…
…by the men and women and youth who served them
a delicious meal
in the wonderful company of folks like Mike and Sue, high school sweethearts who met at the Minnesota State Academy for the Blind in Faribault and who have been married nearly 31 years.
Diners were blessed by organized volunteers who leave detailed notes so that this dinner flows seemingly flawlessly.
They were blessed, too, with a hardworking kitchen crew that works behind the scenes preparing food, washing dishes and kettles, etc.,
and by team members with a sense of humor (as written on this volunteer’s apron).
Uplifting basement banners offer words of blessing.
Sweet blessings come in cakes baked, per these special instructions and brought to the church basement,
and then frosted with whipped topping and sprinkled with colored sugar,
before Madeline and others serve the Christmas cake, the same dessert that’s served every year at the Christmas dinner.
Blessings come in the company of others in the warmth of this church basement on a cold December day in Minnesota.
These waiting women were blessed, too, by a driver bringing the vehicle close to the door for their ride home.
The members of the historic 1915 Fourth Avenue United Methodist Church
bless the community of Faribault each December by opening church doors for the annual Community Christmas Dinner.
Copyright 2013 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Now I am hungry for a turkey dinner and it is only 8 am. Church folks do know how to cook and eat. Yummmmm.
Yes, they do. Church dinners are among my favorite to attend.
What a loving, thoughtful community AND the food looks so GOOD!!!
Precisely. Thoughtfulness served with great food to the community.
Beautiful Post – TRUE Spirit of the Holidays – Be Blessed My Friend:)
Thank you, Renee.
That’s so lovely, Audrey. This really is love in action and what the true meaning of Christmas is all about – take your eyes off yourself and think about what you can do for others. It looks like it was a huge success and I’m sure all those who attended came away feeling very blessed xx
Yes, the dinner was lovely. I’ve so enjoyed attending the past several years and documenting this dinner. The volunteers are all cheerful and attentive and kind. Plus I see lots of people I know and make new acquaintances like Mike and Sue.
How was your church dinner this past weekend?
Yup…..I am officially hungry!!!! That cake, although so easy, is one of my absolute faves!!!! Especially in the hot summertime!! I love the writing on the apron!! LOL! Such a grand time of fellowship and blessings for all!!!!
That “poke cake” is so retro 70s.
And we are all “retro”!!!!! ROFL!!!!! So appropriate!!!!
Yup. Retro.
Yummy dinner!!! I would imagine there would be crowds coming to attend this feast, how is crowd control, do folks have to wait in line for seating? It’s a beautiful church with lovely servants of Christ!
There’s never been any waiting for seating, at least not when I was there.
I like your term, “lovely servants of Christ.”