News from the Pews: Community Meal, Bikes Blessing

Local churches bring the community together with food and fun:

Sunday Supper at Starr

When the recession started to impact families in Royal Oak, members of felt the need to respond.

In 2009, the Castle family of Royal Oak hosted a Thanksgiving meal at Starr, welcoming family, friends and anyone else who wanted to join them for a real, home-cooked meal.  A few months later, during a Session meeting in early 2010, the idea to host a monthly community meal – at no charge to anyone attending – was unanimously blessed with a resounding “yes.”

Each month, the meal is lovingly prepared and served. Menus range from spaghetti, bread and salad to ham, scalloped potatoes and a vegetable.  For the summer months, a barbecue is being discussed.

“We feel so grateful for our friends who come out every month,” said Janie Castle, a member of Starr and a meal coordinator. “We’re glad people are joining us and enjoying this.”

May’s Community Meal will feature fried chicken, salad, potato salad and corn.

“There is no charge. Come out and have dinner with people in your community,” said Sandra Woodcox, a member of Starr who is coordinating this month’s meal.

Dinner is 4-6 p.m. Sunday at , 1717 W. 13 Mile Rd., Royal Oak.

For more information about Starr church, call (248) 288-3230, visit www.starrchurch.org or Starr on Facebook.

Blessing of the Bicycles

In anticipation of summer peddling, cyclists are invited to bring their bikes to the Blessing of the Bicycles ceremony and event 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at Prince of Glory Lutheran Church, 1357 W. 14 Mile Rd., Madison Heights. Additional activities include information areas, food, crafting, bike decorating and a bike parade and a fire truck.  The event is free.

“This is the first year that Prince of Glory will be offering a blessing of the bikes. The idea came from our new pastor, who is an avid bicyclist,” said Linda Newton, Outreach Coordinator for Prince of Glory.

“As the summer approaches and more people are out and about on their bikes, we are trying to give children of all ages a place to come and have their bicycles blessed for summer riding,” said Rev. Bob Hegdal, pastor of Prince of Glory.

 The church is hoping to raise awareness of the presence of people on bicycles, reminding them to be extra vigilant as they travel on the roads of our communities. 

Information will also be available regarding the many activities offered at the church, including the grand reopening of the preschool. There will be a Preschool Open House on Sunday from 12:30-3 p.m. and June 18 11 a.m.-3 p.m. For more information, call (248) 588-4652, or visit www.princeofglory.org

If you would like your church’s special event to be considered for publication, email Lynne Cobb and/or enter your events in our calendar at royaloak.patch.com/search/events