This year, the women of Bethany Baptist Church, New Brockton, in Coffee Baptist Association will carry on a Thanksgiving tradition that began 20 years ago.
Every year, they host a home-cooked Thanksgiving lunch for about 50 special-needs adults and leaders from the nearby Coffee County Training Center. The Bethany Baptist women cook, decorate, present a devotion about the holiday and lead in prayer.
“We try to make this time special for them, because these precious people are worth it,” said church member Peggy Stroud. “This is one of the best and most rewarding projects we do all year. We feel such love toward these people.”
Though the lunch is a missions project initiated by the Women on Mission group, about 90 percent of the women of the church take part, Stroud said.
The event, held at Bethany Baptist, provides an outing for the training center’s clients, and they often get involved in the program — singing, performing sign language to songs and sharing other special talents.
This year, Pastor Tony Dye will play his guitar and lead in singing.
“I am so thankful for the compassion and spirit of servanthood demonstrated by the ladies who have been involved in this banquet each year,” he said. “Their genuine love and concern for the people in this community is evident in the way the people of the training center have responded to them. It is such a joy to see people connecting in true fellowship because of the love of Jesus Christ.”
Shelia Danford helps Stroud organize the lunch and said she is touched not only by the spirit of the training center’s clients but also by the church members’ willingness to help.
“These women are all so gracious to prepare food and do whatever is needed,” Danford said. “When they’re asked to help serve, they jump right in.
“It’s a lot of work but it’s a blessing.” (TAB)
Share with others: