Food Ministry with Hope Fellowship

Jessie Anderson

Scoop into a take-out container, press the lid tight, stack inside the insulated bag to keep warm until people arrive. The earlier 1:30-3:30 cooking team heads out. Chat with other volunteers about which church they are from, their story of a recent return to faith, share jokes. Prep extra coffee for the guests (it’s everyone’s favorite). Set cutlery, salad dressing, baggies at the kitchen window. At 4:00pm the doors will open at Hope Fellowship’s weekly Sunday afternoon Drop-in Ministry, aimed to love our neighbors experiencing food insecurity and homelessness by meeting some physical, relational, and spiritual needs.

“What do you have today?” “Barbeque chicken, broccoli, and mashed potatoes!” “I’ll take two… yup, two waters, but just one salad and one cookie.” “You got it! We’re glad you came here - and go Celtics!” (They glance at their jersey, and reciprocate my high five with a smile.) A quick interaction; there’ll be about 50 guests. Volunteers promptly find their role accommodating both kitchen efficiency and relational guest engagement. The packaged food supply runs low: one of the window volunteers deftly swings back to join the prep team. A guest asks for toothpaste or clothing: the lead person steps out to supply and document it. And as folks wait in line they are individually invited to share prayer requests. Later, after guests have all left, the volunteers will pray over each written name and request. 

The line is trickling to a halt and I take a deep breath. Well, dishes are already being cleaned so I’ll wander out and join the guests. Ah, there’s the two older gentlemen who I’ve chatted with before! They allow me to join, and once again I learn from their knowledge and experiences. I can’t quite keep up with all that they know, but they invite me in regardless to hear their stories. There’s shared joy upon discovering that we grew up in similar parts of the country, and then in a moment of awe I learn they have been friends (or frenemies when stealing each other’s dates) since childhood! It strikes me now that, in this space designed to serve as Jesus did in a tangible way, I get to witness how Jesus has served these two men in the deep intangible gift of lifelong friendship - a gift that has stood the test of time, across split geography and changing circumstances. Isn’t this kind of steady companionship truly what we all desire?

I am grateful to be welcomed to serve in this ministry; to be a part of the shattering of invisible barriers, where we get to share the same space and time and conversation. Those simple movements of the ministry - organizational, relational, preparatory - become Kingdom moments. 

If you’d like more info about the Drop-In ministry, which CotC partners with as a Justice and Mercy initiative, you can email foodjustice@cotcboston.org.

Jessie Anderson lives in Cambridge with three other women of faith. She just finished her PhD and will start working at iMotions shortly.

A New Space for Seeking: Camp Booyah 2026

Anna Burden

The first Northeast Camp Booyah created momentum for youth groups across our region! The thirty youth who attended this year, including five from CotC, did so not knowing what to expect. Two of these students were brand new to our group, one of whom is a friend who doesn’t attend CotC.

On the final night of Booyah, during a Eucharist service, Deacon Heather processed the Gospel to the middle of the room and started reading Matthew 6:25-34. Unlike other services, at this one, youth and leaders started reciting the passage with her. Some were stumbling over the words; others had the entire passage memorized. The whole week focused on this passage–it was preached on every day, turned into a picture puzzle for a game, and reflected on during solo time.

Many parts of this service felt familiar for the youth, but this time there was an overwhelming sense that it was for them. Not only this moment, but all of camp showed that the Church is for them. From this place of belonging, youth considered what it would mean to trust God with their anxieties and their longings for more and to seek His Kingdom first.

“Let us go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit!” came the dismissal, and rejoice we did! Youth and leaders sang, danced, and performed skits in a talent show. Liddie and her friend recreated theme skits from the week about characters named Baby Babet and Betty Babet. “Babet” had become an unofficial greeting throughout camp, including at the passing of the peace during the final service.

So far, Booyah has definitely been my favorite part of my summer. I love being with other churches and of course being with my own. Spending time with Addi was so much fun and we grew so close to each other and in Christ. My favorite part of camp has to have been playing the games or playing 9 square. BABET ~ Liddie

Applause from the talent show died down, and music for a dance party started up! The floor was nearly shaking as every middle- and high-school student joined the party. The energy in the room around new friendships and inside jokes was a tangible reminder of God’s presence. This week wasn’t about games and skits; it was about belonging with God’s people.

At the very end of the night, as everyone was getting ready for bed, we named what was already clear from the week: the girl who was brought as a friend, knowing no one else, has been adopted into Church of the Cross.

Anna Burden is the Director of Youth Ministry at Church of the Cross and lives in Quincy with her family.