During the weekend of November 21 and 22, numerous members of Concordia Lutheran Church, Kirkwood, packaged and distributed 1,200 turkey dinners, which included a frozen turkey, stuffing, green beans, gravy, and potatoes—enough to feed a family of five: 6,000 people in all. Recipients included hundreds of individuals, plus churches and organizations, such as Christian Friends of New Americans, Church of All Nations, St. Trinity Lutheran Church, and others.

This was the Sixth Annual Turkey Blessing Event, the purpose of which was to extend Concordia’s ministries of service and witness into all parts of the Kirkwood community and beyond. This year, recipients included almost 100 New American families from Nepal, Bhutan, Eritrea, Congo, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Cote d’Ivoire, and elsewhere.

To be sure, the gifts were received with thanks. As Jacqueline from Congo put it, “Thanks to everyone who provided my family with this special dinner. The money I saved I will use to buy other items for my two boys. I am the only parent that works, so it is hard for me to afford everything.” Recipient Hubert Thebe, also from Congo, also shared, “It is a real blessing that we are getting this gift. It means a lot to us and our family. Thank you for being there for us immigrants.”

Due to a need for more space, the assembly and distribution of the dinners took place on the campus of Meramec Community College. Without question, this ministry continues to expand, both in terms of beneficiaries and participants. As Pastor Dave Meggers noted, “This year, we were joined by volunteers from CFNA, Church of All Nations, St. Trinity Lutheran Church, Lutheran High School South, and more. The fellowship that has become part of this effort is encouraging and even inspiring.”

Thank you, Concordia, for this excellent ministry of service, witness, and fellowship!
Rev. Al Buckman

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