Speaker 1: 00:00

Saint John's Lutheran Church located in Northfield will host its Christmas day community dinner again this year. On the menu includes turkey, Swedish meatballs, cheesy potatoes, salads, lefse, and many desserts. Saint John senior pastor Pam Fickenscher says that the event is supported by 65 volunteers and over 100 donations from church members and started from the efforts of one of the church's families.

Speaker 2: 00:23

One family in particular that, they had a a tragedy in their family, and, they really wanted out of that for something beautiful to grow. And and so they sort of became the the linchpins that, made sure that that our church community could really welcome everyone in into, a little bit of moment of celebration on Christmas day.

Speaker 1: 00:47

She noted the importance of gathering in community.

Speaker 2: 00:49

It's just a wonderful way for people from all walks of life to get together on the day and celebrate. And in Minnesota, we tend to assume that everybody has a family to scurry off to on Christmas, but that's not necessarily the case. And so, it's often been a really great way to just make sure that everybody has a little bit of community and a little bit of company on Christmas day.

Speaker 1: 01:10

She noted that all are welcome to the dinner.

Speaker 2: 01:12

We welcome people from all all communities, and we certainly have folks who are not Christian that come to the dinner as well, and folks who are, working that day. We have first responders that stop by just to get a little bit of hot food and a sense of celebration even though they're they're kinda busy doing their duties on the day of Christmas. So, it's definitely for for everyone.

Speaker 1: 01:33

The event starts Christmas day at Saint John's at 11:15 and goes until 1:30 and is free and open to all to attend.