10 To 1. Great odds in building a stronger community

Just before Christmas I was doing the last minute scramble. I’ve ranted and rambled about the whole holiday hullabaloo and at the same time always participate especially as the day draws near. Wednesday December 19th after speaking with a fellow parishioner I pointed the car towards Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Quakertown. Bob Flack and some other parishioners from St. Isidore’s along with scores from other area churches I’ll mention as we go further along, tend to our area’s community by providing a place for those looking for food and fellowship. Many meals have been served, bellies and hearts filled the result of combined efforts from 10 area churches all teaming up to help our growing community with loads of food, clothing and other items to support and pay forward Christian love to their fellows.

This particular night, December 19th, Emmanuel Episcopal always the host for these ‘Bread of Life’ Dinners was jamming. Toys, food, clothing, items to fill the pantry, delectable baked goods and more were in abundance, even dear old St. Nick paid a visit. It looked as a scene from ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’, the ending where George Bailey returns to find a home filled with love, friends and abundant love. You couldn’t help but feel Christmas, the true spirit of the holiday alive in the warmth of food, gifts and most importantly people. People and love. Despite the faith differences of 10 area churches all unite to one common goal. Serve others and each other throughout the year. The ‘Bread of Life’ Dinners are held monthly again at the host church Emmanuel Episcopal. An exhausted staff of workers guided by Doris Burnside was wrapping up the dinner on the 19th when I had the chance to sit and find out where the inspiration started to have ‘The Bread of Life’ dinners. Doris explained 14 years ago she walked into a downtown building where meals were served. It happened that the building was marked to close and with it meals provided to those in our community. After a year hiatus Doris approached her pastor at Emmanuel and had the idea to rebirth the monthly program and thus ‘Bread of Life’ was reborn.

The dinners occur once per month and each of the 10 area churches supporting the fellowship takes over a select month. Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving get special attention. Transportation is even arranged for those that can’t make arrangements to get themselves to the ‘Bread of Life’ each month. Everything has been thought of. I was eyeing up the food coming out of the kitchen and save for the fact that I couldn’t stay due to coaching responsibilities, would have stuck around and had a plate, or two, or three. The food looked dynamite.

For the past 14 years ‘Bread of Life’ has been going strong. I’ve been in Quakertown for almost this entire time and have read in my church bulletin at St. Isidore’s about Bread of Life but was unaware of its magnitude and its importance to so many in our community. Seeing it first hand made me a believer. This Bread of Life monthly series of meals and other items provided keep our community’s heartbeat pounding strong and healthy. The 10 area churches that support the Bread of Life are West Swamp Mennonite, Swamp Mennonite, 1st Church of the Brethren, St. John’s Lutheran in Quakertown, St. John’s Lutheran in Richlandtown, Emmanuel Episcopal, Trinity Lutheran, 1st United Methodist, United Church of Christ Quakertown and St. Isidore’s. The next dinner will be upcoming Monday January 7th at Emmanuel Episcopal and all are welcome. If you’d like to help out and are a member of any one of the many churches participating inquire with your minister or priest and join your church in support of this wonderful fellowship. ‘The Bread of Life’ a 10 to one chance realized in a common goal, to grow a stronger and more loving community. See ‘ya around town.