Saturday/Sunday's Bread

 by Judy Coltman

I don’t really like to cook.  I cook, of course, because it works for my family, but it’s not something I yearn to do.  So then why, I used to ask myself, do I look forward to giving up one Saturday afternoon a month to prepare and serve a meal for a room full of people?   

At Saturday Sunday Bread, we serve a hot meal to people in need in Boston.   Along with other area volunteers, our group from Epiphany gathers early in the afternoon on the 4^th Saturday of the month to set up the dining room, prepare a meal, and then cleanup for about 100 guests.  We welcome the guests at 2:30 and serve them salad, a main course, juice, coffee, bread and dessert.  My favorite job while the guests are with us is to serve the coffee.   Going from person to person at the tables and pouring coffee—black or with milk—allows me the chance to personally greet the guests and, sometimes, it provides me the opportunity for conversation.   I think what keeps me going back each month are these chances for connection.    These connections, whether a smile, a nod of acknowledgement, a chat, or just a request for more coffee, help me to see the individuals within the room full of strangers, most of whom are down on their luck.  They personalize the struggles that life presents.    They broaden my understanding. They help me feel God’s presence.  

Parishioners from POE were some of the first volunteers at Saturday Sunday Bread back in 1983.  Help us maintain this as one of Epiphany’s missions by joining us some 4^th Saturday of the month!