By: Brian Ekedahl                                                                                        
bekedahl@waterfrontmission.org

 Shalimar United Methodist Church Provides a Feast at Ft. Walton Beach Mission

Fort Walton Beach, Fla. Oct. 7, 2009 - September 5 was a good day at the Waterfront Rescue Mission in Fort Walton Beach. First of all, it was a Saturday, which meant that the routine was a little more relaxed for the men who are in the Mission's drug and alcohol Recovery Program, the women who are staying at the women's shelter and the staff members on duty, but it was also a day when everyone who came by the Mission for lunch was treated to a wonderful feast.

Earlier this year, during the Easter season, members from the Shalimar United Methodist Church, along with other area churches, took up an offering from their congregation aimed at providing a holiday meal for everyone at the Fort Walton Beach Mission. It was a wonderful time of fellowship, food and celebration of the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. And not only did members from Shalimar UMC provide funds for the meal; they helped prepare it, serve it and helped to clean up everything afterwards. It was truly an exhibition of the compassionate sharing and grace that comes as a result of a servant's heart. The amazing thing is that after the expenses were tallied and the bills for this wonderful meal were paid, there was money left over. So what did they do? They did it again!

The coordinator of the event for the church, Renee Crosby, contacted the Fort Walton Beach mission in July and wanted to know if we would be interested in the provision of another meal. Of course, we jumped at the opportunity. On September 5, 38 members of Shalimar UMC, led by Pastor Sean Peters, descended on the Mission with a veritable feast of prime rib, scalloped potatoes, asparagus and numerous delectable deserts.  They also provided everything from table cloths to fresh-flowered centerpieces. Everyone who came by the Mission for lunch was served, and as the old saying goes, if you went away from the table hungry it was your own fault. Shalimar UMC not only provided nourishment for our bodies, they fed our souls through generous fellowship with everyone as they served. It was a wonderful blessing all around.

So we want to extend a warm and heartfelt Waterfront "Thank You" to everyone at Shalimar United Methodist Church for their caring and kindness. They are truly a blessing to the community as a whole for their commitment to reaching out and help where needed, and to the Waterfront Rescue Mission in particular for the many blessings they have shared with us. God's blessings to everyone at Shalimar UMC!