For over 15 years, several area churches have come together to provide a meal for area residents on Christmas Day. While not an organization in the strict sense, the group of 10-12 area churches has adopted the name Many Churches Serving One God, and each Christmas, they come together to serve a delicious Christmas meal to anyone who wants it.
Amy Pratt, a longtime volunteer, has been associated with the group for several years. “I was pregnant with our youngest when we started, and he’s 15 now,” Pratt said. One year, some friends invited them to the meal, and they have been involved ever since.
To the best of her recollection, the meal was initially served in the basement of the Bethel Mennonite church. As the meal gained popularity, the group realized the location needed to be moved. For several years, the dinner was held at the Adriel campus, and has been at the Liberty Gathering Place for the past few years. “The full kitchen and the dining area make it an excellent location,” to serve the meal Pratt said:
During the COVID-19 pandemic, meals continued to be served via drive-thru.
For many years, the participating churches were responsible for providing different parts of the meal, with some offering cooked turkey or ham, others vegetables, and still others desserts. Eventually, Pratt said, it was decided that the churches would make a monetary contribution and that food would be purchased and prepared on-site.
Pratt said that Thoman’s IGA and Liberty Gathering Place order food, so local businesses benefit while supporting the area.
Pratt discusses how the number of meals has steadily increased over the years:
In addition to offering meals at Liberty Gathering Place, the group provides meals to staff at local senior living facilities and to first responders.
But the group’s outreach doesn’t stop at Christmas. Many Churches Serving One God also adopt local families for Christmas, and the group works closely with the West Liberty-Salem school district to support students in need.
The group is always in need of volunteers to help serve, deliver, and clean up after the meal. “Just show up, and we’ll find a place for you to help,” Pratt said.
Delivery arrangements are also possible. To order meals delivered to a Logan or Champaign county address, call the Oak Grove Mennonite Church at 937-465-4749 by noon on Christmas Eve.
If anyone would like to make a monetary donation, make checks payable to the UCC Benefit Account and mail to UCC, P.O. Box 427, West Liberty, Ohio 43357. Please clearly mark Community Christmas Meal on the memo line.
