By Eileen Beckwith
“Enliven our imaginations to dream big dreams, and open our hearts to share all we have to build the future of your Church, that we may live and serve in Jesus’ name.”
~ From the Renewing Our Mission Campaign Prayer
Members of St. John the Baptist in Ephrata gathered in mid-November for a fundraiser lasagna dinner and social, with all proceeds dedicated to the Renewing Our Mission endowment campaign. The event was a huge success, raising $1,956.00. Event coordinator Jerome Bonneville noted, “We were able to raise some money for the endowment fund and enjoy a meal and fellowship that included some guests from outside St. John’s.”
After Renewing our Mission Campaign Coordinator Lisa (Lybecker) Stagaman’s April presentation to St. John’s—the church where she grew up—individuals donated to the fund. The congregation as a whole wanted to make a contribution as well, but had not yet done so.
When Bishop’s Committee members discussed this at a recent meeting, an obvious solution was for the committee to vote to make a donation. Warden Bruce Reim suggested, “I’d really like to see us to do something that would give the entire congregation a chance to participate.”
Somebody said “fundraiser dinner,” and the idea took off. Everybody could be involved. Schedule it on a Wednesday to miss weekend conflicts. People could avoid cooking dinner on a work and school night and have the opportunity to support a good cause. Members could invite friends and neighbors outside of St. John’s and enjoy a social time prior to the meal.
Bishop’s Committee member Jerome Bonneville, who loves to cook, volunteered to prepare the meal. He enlisted the help of his mother, Madge Bonneville, who has cooked nutritious meals for generations of children in her career as Director of Food Services for the Ephrata School District. Now retired, she still adds love to every dish she prepares, and she loves to cook for large numbers.
Parishioners Ken and Sue Greene, who exchanged their wedding vows at St. John’s in October, offered sparkling cider and champagne to make the event more festive. Others volunteered to bring desserts, provide funds for the groceries, and set up for the event.
Although the evening was cold and dark, the atmosphere inside the candlelit undercroft was cozy and warm in every way. The aroma of garlic bread and lasagna permeated the air as the children played and mingled with the adults. Following dinner and dessert, a few of Audrey Ledgerwood’s prize home-baked pies were auctioned, with the proceeds being added the ROM donations container.
Wayne Lybecker, a St. John’s parishioner since its doors opened in 1954, reflected, “The whole thing was good for the Diocese, but in many ways we benefited more from the evening.”