With Lent on the horizon, Mantua United Methodist Church will host a soup supper at its McConnell Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 22 to welcome the season.
“It is a simple meal of soup, bread and fruit to mark the beginning of the Lenten season, which is a time to spiritually prepare for Easter,” said church senior Pastor Doug Baitinger. “It is really just an opportunity for spiritual reflection, confession and or meditation for people as we enter the season approaching Holy Week.
“We use a variety of homemade soup made by people who attend,” he added. “If people would like to bring soup to share, they may. But it isn’t required to attend.”
Though a church event, the soup supper is free for non-parishioners and requires no registration. It has occurred annually for more than15 years and is expected to draw 35 to 50 people.
Immediately after the supper, the church will host a traditional service for Ash Wednesday – also on the 22nd and the first day of Lent – that will also be open to supper patrons, who can attend the service even if they don’t take part in the supper itself.
Baitinger said people can expect an evening of coming together in a welcoming atmosphere at the supper.
“(It’s) a … time of fellowship and good food,” he noted.
Soup supper hours are 5:30 to 7 p.m. For more information on the event, the Ash Wednesday service and other Lenten events – including Easter services – email the church office at office@mantuaumc.org or call (856) 468-2711.
