Turkey Blessing

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Editor’s Note:  For the past eight years the Men’s Ministry group of Concordia Luth4eran Church, Kirkwood, have been giving away up to 1,000 turkey dinners, each dinner consisting of a 12 to 16 lb. frozen turkey and a carton of side dishes. Recipients have been people from the greater Kirkwood, community and beyond, including dozens of immigrant and refugee families.  Here Tim Wingenbach tells us more. 

The Concordia Lutheran Church, Kirkwood, has a Men's Ministry group that simply creates opportunities for men to come together in Christ. We host events like BBQ's where we get to connect with other Christians beyond the "peace be with you" at church on Sundays. The group brings in speakers like former professional athletes to talk about their walk with Christ and missionaries who share experiences from four decades of witness and service among unbelievers. Our goal is to bring men together for fellowship and faith formation so that the good news of Jesus is spread through the community in outreach. The biggest event we put on each year is the Turkey Blessing. 

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In 2014, a group of men at Concordia Lutheran Church, Kirkwood, led by Matt Schelp decided they wanted to serve the community by giving away 1,000 Thanksgiving meals. After some planning and funding through Concordia, a wild idea became reality. The annual Men's Ministry Turkey Blessing is where we give away 1,000 frozen turkeys and the sides. The Men's Ministry raises funds throughout the year to purchase the food and a group markets the event to organizations throughout the St. Louis area. The weekend before Thanksgiving, hundreds of men and boys from Concordia Lutheran Church put together and distribute these meals to families in need.  Anyone is welcome to drive through to pick up a Thanksgiving dinner. The only question they are asked when they pick up the meal is "What can I pray for with you?" 

This event allows us to help families struggling to make ends meet provide a Thanksgiving meal, but it also gives us an opportunity to bring God and our faith into someone else’s life.  One of our members this week said “I first volunteered for this with my son because he needed to do a service project for school. This is now our seventh year handing out turkeys together and we can’t imagine missing it. The ability to pray with a stranger and allow them to be vulnerable in sharing their challenges has an amazing impact on all involved.” Whether you are receiving or giving the meal, this type of outreach is powerful. 

Since the pandemic, Concordia Lutheran Church has embarked on a spiritual journey during which we are working to emerge with one heart in Christ to renew, grow, and go. Renew our commitment to living in God's word and being generous towards others. Grow personally in our faith to enhance connections with others and God. Go deepen our community partnerships and serve our neighbors. The Men's Ministry Turkey Blessing is a great example of our members living all three aspects of the Concordia Emerge commitment. 

By Tim Wingenbach