WARRENTON - The
monthly meal is not just
for one church and not
just for senior citizens.
"Everybody's welcome,"
Babs Davis said before
opening the latest session
of the M and M's at the
Warrenton First United
Methodist Church dining
hall.
"We are from Mesena but
we come here for the dinner
and the fellowship," said
Louise Norris.
Since about 1985, the
M and M's - short for
"Merry Makers" - have
been gathering the second
Wednesday of each month
at the church hall. Dozens of
people dine for an offering
of $4. Homemade recipes
make the meal possible.
Davis knows the group's
history well. "I haven't
lived here all my life, just 50
years," she said. "I wouldn't
live anywhere else now."
Babs Davis, originally from
Atlanta, is married to an
area native, retired judge
Purnell Davis.
Babs Davis said she and
Carol Davis have handled
most of the coordinating for
the club for about six years.
She said about five people
cook at home and bring food
to the gatherings.
Babs Davis said the
programs vary. "We try to do
civic as well as entertaining,"
she said. Guest speakers
have included artists,
local businesspeople, and
representatives of the local
chamber of commerce.
The February program
celebrated Heart Month.
"We try to keep the people
involved and informed,"
Bea Davis said. "We have
a really good time and that
is the important thing," she
said.
"I love it," said the Rev.
David Jenkins, the pastor
of Norwood Methodist
Charge. "Good fellowship
and spiritual food." Jenkins
compared notes with Neil
Dallas, who showed photos
of his model car collection.
"Great, wonderful," Jenkins
said. "I love ecumenical
gatherings."
A typical program will
include a blessing on the
meal, prayer concerns,
important news, thank-yous
to any contributors, and a
guest speaker.
As an example of the
ecumenical character of
the gathering, host church
pastor the Rev. Jim Hanna
recently invited everyone to
the Ash Wednesday program
that day. He told of his own
childhood experience,
when Ash Wednesday was
not observed among many
Protestant churches. He
said the
observance
might be not
be embraced by all, but he
sees it as "a time to focus on
the sacrifice that Jesus made
that we might be saved from
sin."
Many accepted Hanna's
invitation.
"It's so nice to come over
here every month," said
Norris, of Mesena. "It's
away from our own church,
but we enjoy it."
The group also donates
to the United Methodist
Children's Home in
Decatur, Ga., contributes to
the food bank at the church,
and sends memorials to
s u r v i v i n g
spouses.
