The Disciples Men group at Park, like all of its fellowship and leadership groups, participated in a month of service to honor the 175th Anniversary of the church.  In March of this year, the men reached out to the needs of New Albany by preparing and serving meals at the Wednesday night free meal "soup kitchen" that is a ministry of the Main Street United Methodist Church.  On four of the five Wednesdays that month volunteers fed an average of about 65 people.  The meals are free to anyone that comes and largely serves folks who are having trouble making ends meet.

Main Street then asked if the Park men would be willing to be a full-time participant in the ministry.  Pastor Brown brought the invitation to the men's breakfast in April.  But, he had reservations.  Someone else, however, suggested that it was exactly what the men's fellowship needed to be doing and that they should commit to a six-month trial period.  Since May, they have been gathering, working, and serving on the third Wednesday of every month.

The meals vary and often depend on the weekly specials at the local store or donations.  Main Street members Bernadette Fife and Glenn Burks still help get the men of Park started and through each meal, but it is becoming routine.  Volunteers that have time to give in the afternoon arrive around 3 pm on those days to start cooking.  More volunteers arrive around 5 pm to serve the meals at 5:30 and then clean up.  It's not unusual to have more help than is needed, but the fellowship is an obvious draw for the men.

But, it's not just about the hard work and the fun of working together.  Serving touches the faith of those who participate in rewarding ways.  Jesus talked about taking care of the needs of people as a way of actually serving him.  "Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me."  (Matthew 25:40)

Tom Pickett makes an effort to be at Main Street whenever possible.  "It's a joy to do that, you know.  I enjoy doing it.  It gives me a good feeling to help people.  It gives me inspiration."  Then he said with a laugh, "The bible says that when you give that it's always returned to you.  So, some day, who knows?"