by Janet Moore
Social Services Coordinator and WND Director

The vision for a Wednesday Night Dinner (WND) formed out of a desire for a community potluck dinner within Bethany’s congregation. Aware that they were passing by the busy Foodbank on Wednesday nights with food items for the potluck in hand, some expressed a desire to invite people from the Foodbank to join the meal. After some deliberation, an idea was presented to prepare a meal everyone could enjoy.

On April 10, 1996, Bethany began hosting a meal on Wednesday Nights for the Queen Anne Community and Bethany’s congregation. At first it was a tentative venture, to simply “open our doors and hearts to the community and see what happens. To build relationships with people in our community and to provide for a tangible need.”

In 1996, 25 people committed to hosting the Wednesday Night Dinners. This group was divided into four teams, with each team having a leader who would facilitate and organize the meal one Wednesday per month. In their “off” weeks, the other three teams committed to spending time eating with those who joined the meal. An optional time of worship or fellowship, was also offered. Bethany member Lori Reimann (Garretson) took on the responsibility of scheduling, determining the general menu, working with the Foodbank, and working with the team leaders. Their goal was to provide 36 weekly meals to approximately 50-80 people throughout the year.

Ten years later, “seeing what happens” has born great fruit. Wednesday Night Dinners have become an important part of the life of Bethany and the Queen Anne community. We currently serve approximately 200-250 people a week, 50 weeks a year, and budget nearly $30,000 for food.

Wednesday Night Dinners now provide a steady and constant place for people to discover sanctuary. As we have grown to know and love each person who comes, we have also become more involved in walking alongside them. There have been many stories of changed lives through the ministry of Wednesday Night Dinner:

• There have been countless discussions of faith and what it means to show Christ’s love here on earth.
• Some have been helped to find housing.
• Some of our guests have been assisted in setting up a new home.
• Bethany has also worked to help guests with paperwork at various Social Service agencies and other locations.

Most importantly, people attending the Wednesday Night Dinners are feeling included in the lives of members here at Bethany (and vice versa). Recently, I heard one gentleman being invited to eat a holiday meal with a family. Another woman is being graciously included in a Wednesday evening Bible study (which has welcomed many WND guests). Yet another guest sits to hear the choir practice and praise God.

On April 26, Wednesday Night Dinner will be celebrating its 10th Anniversary at 6:00 pm. We hope to have live music, a big cake, lots of past volunteers, as well as good food and fellowship. We praise God for this enormous milestone for WND ministry.