Breaking Bread Together: St. John's Saturday Luncheon Social by Sandra Lee Schubert
This is the unedited version. The article was featured on the Diocese of Newark website and e-news. 

On the hill where Cornelia Street meets Cedar Street, behind St. John's Church, something wonderful happens every Saturday. The parish hall kitchen hums with activity as volunteers prepare lunch for their community. Today, it's the men's group from St. Peter's trading their usual spiral ham and potatoes for hamburgers and hot dogs with all the fixings.
Steve greets everyone by name, asking about family members who couldn't make it. Jerry serves the food with a smile. The mailman stops by during his lunch break, delivering St. John's mail before joining the meal. For one precious hour, the parish hall buzzes with conversation, laughter, and the simple joy of sharing a meal. St. Peter’s has been a part of the program for over 20 years. The Men’s group and the Women’s group are active supporters of the luncheon. Steve loves the interaction with the men who are bagging bread donated by Anthony’s Bakery, cooking food, and setting up the hall for lunch. He enjoys the interaction with the guests who come through the red door and be seen chatting up people or eating lunch with the guests.
This is exactly what the Saturday Luncheon Social was created for: food, fellowship, and genuine human connection, served every Saturday from noon to 1 p.m.

​A Legacy of Service
The Saturday Luncheon Social began around 2000 under the leadership of Rev. Stephanie Wethered, St. John's first female rector. During her tenure, The Episcopal Diocese of Newark named St. John's "Church of the Year" in recognition of their community support work. Rev. Wethered's vision extended beyond Sunday worship, establishing the Community Development Corp. (CDC), an after-school program for low-income families, and the Saturday Luncheon Social—opening both kitchen and hearts to the wider community.
Originally served by a women's group, the luncheon has evolved into a collaborative effort hosted by local church groups of different denominations. Each group brings its unique flavor of food and hospitality to the table. Natalie, a deacon from the First Presbyterian Church of Boonton, says they enjoy making delicious meals for people. “It's our mission to serve the community.” We love the cast of characters who walk through the doors.”
Helen, from Mt. Zion Baptist church, loves the camaraderie the luncheon offers. People can arrive sad, but will leave with a smile on their faces. “I love cooking and serving food. I especially enjoy being called “Aunt Helen” by the people enjoying the food.  

The Regulars and the Newcomers
Twenty-five years later (with only the pandemic shutdown interrupting service), familiar faces gather around the tables. There are people who have been coming for years—families and friends who live down the block or travel from surrounding areas to be part of this weekly tradition. One guest started coming by bringing a friend from a nursing home and was amazed that he was applauded entering the hall. Years later, he still comes. Joe says, “it is the highlight of the week and has become dear to my heart.”
Agnes shares a similar story. Her dad would bring his friend Joe shopping, banking and to the luncheon. She would bring him on the days her dads couldn’t make it. Years later when her dad became sick it became her refuge and support. And on occasion there are four generations of families at one meal.
Of all the guests we spoke to offered similar tales. They love the atmosphere of homeyness and fellowship that they find here. For an hour, they relax, meet with family and friends, and enjoy a good meal. If they came in lonely, they eventually found friends.
The original vision remains unchanged: providing a social gathering where people can meet over a good meal. But execution has beautifully evolved. St. Peter's men's group might serve their beloved ham and potatoes one week, while their women's group offers splendid chicken parmigiana the next. The Presbyterian church down the block delights in variety, bringing something different each time they host. Mt. Zion’s Baptist church delights in cooking and serving good food, while St. John’s loves their opportunities to serve. All the churches have served for over 10 years or more. The Boonton United Methodist church is the newest participant, serving just two years with will bless the hall with the small daughter of the Pastor.
What matters most is that everyone leaves well-fed, often with extra food for later or a meal for a family member who couldn't make it.

Challenges and Hope
Before the pandemic, the luncheon regularly served a minimum of 25 people. Now, attendance fluctuates—sometimes as few as five people join for lunch. This presents a challenge for groups who have invested time, effort, and money into preparing meals. They would gladly feed more, but they continue showing up faithfully, ensuring leftovers find their way to those who need them.
St. John's has reached out through conversations and social media, hoping to connect with more community members who might benefit from or enjoy this weekly gathering.
Behind the scenes, St. John's works to maintain the space, keep the kitchen updated, and provide the supplies needed for each luncheon—plates, bowls, napkins, and cutlery. Many items are donated by parishioners, local residents, and the hosting groups themselves, creating a true community effort.

An Open Table
The Saturday Luncheon Social is open to everyone. You don't have to be hungry—you might just want a place to eat with a few people on a Saturday afternoon. The table is set, the welcome is genuine, and the conversation flows as freely as the coffee.
Join us any Saturday from noon to 1 p.m. And if you're part of a group that would like to provide a meal, new volunteer groups are always welcome. After all, there's always room for one more at the table.

Happy Epiphany!
 
January 6 marks one of the major celebrations in our church, when we remember how wise men from the East followed a star to locate and pay homage to baby Jesus in Bethlehem. An epiphany is a revelation or manifestation of the divine. On this day, we rejoice at the manifestation of Jesus to the foreign Magi, demonstrating that the incarnate Word came into the world for all people.
 
This Sunday, I hope you will join us as we celebrate Epiphany and welcome Deacon John’s great-granddaughter Phoenix into our congregation through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. We’re also expecting a guest appearance of the three Magi!
 
As we contemplate the divine light that is Jesus, and the starlight that guided the wise men, let us also consider how we might share the light of Christ that is within us. One opportunity comes this Saturday, when St. John’s will provide the meal for the Saturday Luncheon Social. (If you can help, please let Sharon Liparini know at [email protected].)

Our light also can shine brighter when we join in ministry with other light-bearers. This Wednesday, I invite you to attend a 7 p.m. prayer at service at St. John's with Bible meditations as we host members of St. Peter’s in Mountain Lakes and Church of our Saviour in Denville as part of the Got Faith? Christian formation program. This year, we also will continue to work with members of these and other congregations in supporting the Afghan refugee families in their resettlement.

I can’t wait to see how else St. John’s will spread light through our community in 2023.
 
I wish you all the joy of the Magi and look forward to seeing you on Sunday.
 
Rev. Sharon

#SaturdayLuncheonSocial #SLS #MovingForward #Thriving #StJohnsBoonton

St. John's is excited to again offer meals through our Saturday Luncheon Social program. The meals are provided by Faith and Community groups in the area.
We gather around a table or two and share a meal and fellowship with others.
If you or someone you know is in need of a decent meal join us on Saturdays from noon to 1:00 P.M.
Moving forward, we need volunteers to pick up Saturday bread donations, guide volunteers from other churches, and provide food for our scheduled weeks. If you can help, please let Sharon Liparini know at Sharon.Liparini(at)gmail.com.