Remember that feeling of being sick as a kid and your mother bringing you chicken soup and how that soup made you feel better, not just because of the magical properties of chicken soup but because the simple act of being fed made you feel loved? If you were blessed with this care as a child you know the healing power of being fed when you’re sick or in crisis. Seven years ago, parishioner Cheryl Crow got an idea: what if we - parishioners - could provide meals to parishioners going through a major life event, such as a surgery, cancer treatment, or the birth of a new baby. That idea took root and Meals in Motion was officially launched in March 2012. Our first meal schedule was for the Zeller-Powell family when Elizabeth Grace was born. This quiet but mighty ministry has grown since then. Currently 20 volunteer cooks provide 40-60 meals a year to fellow parishioners. But don’t let those facts fool you; this is a surprisingly low commitment ministry. You can join the meal schedule email list and choose to schedule yourself when you have the free time to help.
This ministry is about more than the meals. It’s about communicating that loved and cared for feeling to fellow parishioners. Making and receiving meals is an intimate act. Opening ourselves up to receive food or to share what we’ve cooked makes us vulnerable and that vulnerability can be a barrier. But we hope that you won’t let it be. Phyllis Hockley, a parishioner who is most comfortable making meals for others, found herself on the receiving end of this ministry. Here are her thoughts on receiving food from the Meals in Motion ministry: “Don't think, ‘I’ll manage. I don't need help!’ That's what I thought, but deep gratitude flows to the parishioners who visited me with food when I had my operation. Some yummy food was just what I needed in my low energy state. Some cheering up was just what I needed in my low energy state. Those meals were more than meals, and I am so grateful for this ministry.”
Cheryl Crow shared that others have found their nervousness relieved by communicating with the parishioner they are cooking for. Wondering if the lasagna you are thinking of cooking will be well-received? Many cooks have found that reaching out has allowed them to feel confident that their meal will be welcomed enthusiastically.
If you are interested in joining your fellow parishioners in cooking meals, please contact Cheryl Crow at cherylmcrow@gmail.com. She will add you to the meal schedule email list and you will receive emails when a new schedule is made. Again, it’s low commitment, if you can’t make the dates work for a particular schedule, that’s okay. You get to choose when (and what!) you make.
