“For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes, and you clothed me … ” – Matthew 25:35-36 New International Version (NIV)
Sunday Suppers is a local Community Ministry of
The First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant
250 W 7th ST
Erie, PA 16502
Erie Sunday Suppers is a calling from our work with “Our Neighbors Place”, a winter overflow homeless shelter. A nutritious dinner is served on Sundays to our neighbors who may be food insecure or facing difficulties in their lives. It is a blessing that several area churches and organizations partner with us to provide this weekly meal
Sunday Suppers motto is “The Poor should not be treated poorly!” In recognizing that there are many kinds of “hunger”, we make every effort to treat each person as a valued guest, recognizing the human need for respect, dignity, and community. Meals are served with real tableware and on earthenware plates for we believe our guests deserve better than disposable plates and plastic tableware. 130 to 200 guests are served weekly, with larger crowds in the summer and toward the end of each month.
A quote from Pope Francis helped shape a vision for this ministry. He said, “You pray for the hungry. Then you feed them. That’s how prayer works.” We believe we are prayer in action as we feed our hungry guests.
Our Sunday Suppers have been a tradition since July of 2014. The First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant could never accomplish this ministry by ourselves and we are grateful for our fellow church communities and groups who graciously provide food and volunteers. Many of the guests receiving these meals come weekly, others attend only when their needs are greater. Our guests have truly formed a “Sunday Supper” family.
In addition to the warm meal, our guests are provided showers for those who are unsheltered and clothing when available!
Ten to twelve volunteers seasoned volunteers attend weekly to provide serving assistance to congregations and community groups. In celebrating 10 years of this community ministry we are grateful to provide this service allowing us to show the work of the holy spirit’s presence in our lives with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness.
If you are called to help this ministry by preparing and providing a Sunday Supper meal, please to look at our scheduling calendar[click here] to find an open date. Then please contact the church office at 814-456-4243 for more information. Thank you for your interest in this community ministry.