Armbrust Wesleyan welcomes all to meet the neighbors

Members of Armbrust Wesleyan Church host a weekly meal that is open to all and that has proven to be a great attraction for hungry teenagers.

The Community Meal offers a hot dinner served from the church's social hall on Wednesday evenings.

People from all walks of life are invited to share good food, good company and good fellowship.

“I volunteered with another group that did something similar to this in Greensburg, but that was more for the homeless, the underprivileged in the area,” said Beth Stradling, Community Meal coordinator and children's ministry director. “Ours is open to anybody who wants to come and share a meal, to anyone from the community.”

The meals have become a popular draw, attracting between 50 to 75 people each Wednesday.

The Rev. Tim Stradling, church pastor, said the dinners serve several purposes.

“First, to do something to help those who are on fixed or low income in our church and community, we give a good, free meal with lots of great food,” he said. “We also wanted to have the meal to get to know our neighbors. We hope that some people who are not in need of a free meal would come just to get to know some neighbors and to see some they already know.

“And third, we provide the meal for families who are attending our groups that happen Wednesday evening after the meal,” Stradling said.

Visitors are free to stay for programs and study groups held after dinner is served.

“We have a youth group, kids' groups and two adult Bible study groups,” he said. “Maybe it makes it easier on a mom if she doesn't have to make dinner before getting the family here.”

Beth Stradling, his wife, said some people decide each week to stay after the meal.

Several businesses help with the weekly meals, donating items outright for the dinners or providing items or entire meals to the church at a small cost.

Church volunteers man the kitchen when cooking is required, and volunteers are welcome.

“We have lots and lots of volunteers, people who come and help to set up or do whatever is needed,” Beth Stradling said. “It's all been running really smoothly.”

And the meals have engaged the young people of the church.

“One unexpected benefit of having the meals is that our teens are coming to church much earlier than they used to for youth group. Some come to serve. Some come to eat. And others come to hang out with the others,” the pastor said. “So our youth group is flourishing these days, in part because of the meals.”

A ride can be arranged, if needed, for anyone who would like to come to dinner.

“We have a man here who will come and pick you up and bring you here,” Beth Stradling said. “We'll go anywhere in the area like Mt. Pleasant, New Stanton and Youngwood.”

Several families come to the meal on a regular basis.

“I think that this is fantastic,” said Bob Walmsley of Youngwood, a regular. “They have really good food and these are really good people. It's a good time.”

Marilyn Forbes is a contributing writer for Trib Total Media.