Murphy – First United Methodist Church downtown is on a mission to unite folks through food and conversation.
The vision started after the church attended a workshop by Cindy Thompson that involves faith, hope and a desire to serve our neighbors. The vision came to fruition in September of last year and is called Soul Table.
Soul Table invites homeless as well as lonely folks to gather at a table and share a free meal, to tell stories and make connections through food and fellowship. It’s open on the first Thursday of each month from 11:30 a.m. 1 p.m.
Pastor Will Posey has worked to create an atmosphere of serving others, sharing time and resources as well as talents and gifts to help improve the lives of others.
At Soul Table, meals will be brought to and served at the table, rather than folks standing in line for a plate. The meals won’t be served on throwaway paper plates but rather nice, real plates from the church’s own tableware.
“We don’t want people to feel thrown away,” said Cobby Barfield, a church lay leader. “We want them to feel special.”
The hope and desire of the church is to feed not only the body, but the soul as well. Their job is to restore the broken, lift the fallen and heal the hurting. People need someone to be kind and listen, and they can find that at Soul Table.
Future plans for Murphy First United Methodist Church is to add a second day to the schedule for diners. The next open door to Soul Table will be Thursday, April 6.
For details, contact Cobby Barfield at 828-557-2433 or email cobbyb@yahoo.com.