Auburn church offers entertaining afternoon to seniors
AUBURN – Word has gotten around among local senior citizens that the United Methodist Church serves up some good food.
They show up early to save a seat. Several call ahead to reserve whole tables for their friends. For the past seven years, those 60 or older have a found a place to go each month to enjoy professional entertainment, a huge lunch, and good conversation with each other.
“The food is just wonderful,” said Erma Sturgis of Minot. “It’s nice to get out with your friends. A friend of mine called five of us to come out with her today.”
Sturgis belongs to a different church, as do about half of those who attend the monthly luncheons. “The service isn’t about proselytizing,” said Pastor Rich Cullen. “People always comment about how good the food is and how much of it there is. I think many of them mark these lunches on their calendars and look forward to them.”
Gladys Chapman, who coordinates the lunches and runs the kitchen, said she does it because she loves to cook and she loves to see people eat.
She also has a soft spot for senior citizens.
“My mom lived with me for a long time,” said Chapman. “It was always nice for her to have something to do and to see other people. And it’s always a good thing to share a meal.”
The church gets calls from 60 to 100 people each month to reserve a seat for them, said Chapman. Tuesday’s lunch guests totaled 63. Winter often presents hazardous driving conditions so there is never a lunch scheduled in February, said Chapman. She added that she didn’t dare skip two months in a row or she’d be sure to hear the complaints. The next one will be March 16.
Besides the meal, Chapman also makes sure that seniors are able to enjoy quality entertainment. Tuesday’s luncheon featured a family trio called Glorybound from Hampden. The group tours the East Coast and Canada sharing its version of Southern Gospel with church groups, prison inmates, nursing home residents and preschool students, said singer Retta Kelley.
Other regular performers at the senior luncheons have included local high school choirs, child violinists, and even a magician. Chapman said people are always giving her a business card or the name of group that they saw at a fair or on vacation.
Part of the $6 per person charge goes toward paying for the entertainment, said Chapman. The rest covers the cost of the food. Each lunch makes just enough to prepare the next month’s meal. Chapman’s famous meatloaf and New England boiled dinners are the most requested.
For more information or to reserve a seat, phone the church at 782-3972.
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