The Lazarus’ annual Christmas dinner is set to be held in Atlanta First United Methodist Church’s parking lot on Sunday, Dec. 12.

In a Facebook post, the Atlanta First United Methodist Church announced that the Lazarus annual Christmas dinner will be held on Sunday from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m.

According to the post, the annual Christmas dinner will be a fun afternoon of eating together and toasting another year of being in a community with people who are homeless.

The Atlanta First United Methodist Church also encouraged the public to sign and volunteer for the event.

Those who wish to attend and to volunteer may visit the Atlanta First United Methodist Church webpage for more information.

Lazarus Volunteers

According to Lazarus’ Facebook page, it is a non-profit organization that fosters kinship with the community in order to transform lives in meaningful and tangible ways.

Its Facebook page said small groups of Lazarus volunteers have been traveling to downtown Atlanta since 2000 to come alongside folks who are homeless.

Some of the chronically homeless friends have sought treatment through long-term programs and services, found permanent residence, and become regular Lazarus volunteers as a result of the volunteers' faithful commitment.

Meanwhile, the non-profit organization said its annual Christmas Dinner is a day when individuals gather with friends who are homeless to commemorate another year of living together in the community.

According to its website, the organization welcomes everyone to an outdoor feast with all the ingredients of a homestyle Christmas dinner — turkey, dressing, gravy, sides, and cornbread — as it has done every December since 2001, except last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

With table decorations, caroling, and plenty of Christmas cheer, the organization claims to make this holiday supper exciting and festive.

The organization members noted that they are preparing the dinner differently this year than in previous years because they are continuing to take COVID precautions.

Instead of asking volunteers to make and deliver the food, they will have a local food vendor offer the Christmas feast.

Even with this adjustment, the people will realize that they may still engage in the joy of community by sitting side by side and enjoying a delicious meal together.

That is the most important aspect of this event, according to the organization.

There are numerous ways to help with this holiday celebration, with the most pressing needs in the areas of caroling, decor (table decorations), setup, deconstruction, and cleanup.

Those who wish to participate may visit the Lazarus organization’s website for more information.

Church’s Preparation for Holiday Season

Several volunteers and members of the Atlanta First United Methodist Church have volunteered their time and effort to help decorate the church in preparation for the holiday season.

The Atlanta First United Methodist Church said in a Facebook post on Monday, Nov. 22, that its volunteers and members had a good time "hanging" out at the church building last Saturday.

The church also expressed gratitude to the volunteers who helped string garland, set up candles, and decorate the Chrismon tree.

Participants in the worship service at Atlanta First United Methodist Church should not miss the Sunday worship service at 11 a.m., according to the church. It illuminates the sanctuary.

According to the post, the lighting of the sanctuary marked the start of a new church year and the start of Advent, a season of preparation leading up to the birth of Christ at Christmas.

 

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