Steps of Faith... in food ministry

The disciples at Attica United Methodist Church are on a new adventure… an adventure to expand our food ministry.

We began about two years ago by hosting a food truck. The need is great: 19 percent unemployment. So, we started out by hosting a Food Bank two times per month, serving about 60 people per month. That grew; and during our peak months about 140 people are served. And this is amazing in our township of under 5,000 people.

Other needs continue to challenge us and we respond. Two of our disciples are now ready, willing and able to help a client sign up online for a Bridge Card (aka food stamps). Other connections are made in our community and during this past November/December the Vocational/Technical Center provided us with whole chickens to give away. Financial support has come from both far and near. Rep. Kevin Daley, an Attica guy at heart, donated funds to help us. Even our friends at the Lapeer Meijer’s helped by featuring our Food Bank and granting us funds.

And, most importantly, our clients know we are generous.

Meanwhile, one of our disciples working at the Food Bank, felt pressed by God to research what it would mean for us to take on serving a hot meal one day per week. Approved by our board to do this, she set out to connect with the local Health Department to begin a list of what it would take.  

Frankly, I thought we would end up needing to do fund raisers for a few years to even get the commercial equipment required. But, God has a way of making me smile and letting me know I ought not to take myself too blasted seriously. God also has a way of reminding me WHO is in charge. (And it certainly is NOT the Pastor at Attica United Methodist!)

Lo and behold our list of what is needed is short and attainable. And, in talking about our Dinner at Attica Methodist project, volunteer workers are starting emerge both from our congregation and even from other congregations!

By far, we are not the largest congregation in Lapeer County, but we certainly can do BIG THINGS, when God is in it! And perhaps part of our work is to offer to others to come alongside us and serve God’s people… and through THAT even more disciples will be made!

God has indeed cleared the way for us to begin this work and by the time all our ducks are in a row, we expect to be serving hot plates of food for dinner well before Easter!  

 Be blessed!