POINT PLEASANT — Often times the smallest act of kindness makes all the difference in someone’s day.
As person after person filed into the Presbyterian Church’s Annual Thanksgiving Community Dinner on Tuesday, church members welcomed strangers into the fellowship hall in their own way - a handshake, a smile, a “hello.”
The unofficial door greeter was Pastor John Holland, who along with other church volunteers had been out earlier in the day delivering meals to those who were unable to attend. Holland said what impressed him the most about those special deliveries was just simply making contact with people and acknowledging them, listening to them. After all, being recognized and heard translates into being valued and when you’re valued, you’re loved. As Holland put it, showing God’s love is what it’s all about.
Inside the fellowship hall, those in attendance were a cross section of the community, from young to old and from every station in life, all sitting next to one another, talking. These visitors to the church were served by church members, as well as members of Boy Scout Troop #259 which is sponsored by Heights United Methodist Church. Also serving dinner were those in the Mason County Day Report program.
It appeared those who were not only breaking bread but serving the meal were a testament to all people being equal in God’s eyes. As church member Pam Heib put it, “none of us are any different from the other.”
This year’s dinner turned out to be the largest one yet with 350 meals served. Church members prepared 12 20-pound birds and 100 pound of potatoes, as well as plenty of dressing, gravy, green beans, desserts and rolls. Goody bags full of candy were also given out to many children.
This year marked the 15th anniversary for the church’s dinner.
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