WEBSTER TOWNSHIP: Webster United Church of Christ to hold barbecue fundraiser after Memorial Day parade

By Sean Dalton sdalton@heritage.com Twitter: @seankdalton

Webster Township'saltruistic activist congregation is making a second push for funds for its community outreach ministry in time for Memorial Day this year.

The church, at 5484 Webster Church Road, is offering provisions, including barbecued chicken, baked beans, cole slaw, potato salad and corn with dessert choice of cookies or cake, to those who want to eat on site or take their food on the go into the village for the Memorial Day parade, to another park area or a backyard.

The May 28 barbecue will cost $11 per adult and $6 for children 12 and under. The event will take place in the fellowship hall of the church near the FarrellRoad entrance. Weatherpermitting,organizerswill have picnic tables set up outside, picnic style, and inside as well.

"A lot of people like me usually end up working in the yard all day and the last thing you're thinking about is making food," saidWebster Church of Christorganizer Judy Bemis. "We expect that a lot of people who have the day off and will be at the Dexter parade would rather have someone else do the cooking."

The congregation has held a barbecue with takeout option in the past and has brought the tradition back from five years ago to build on the $2,000 raised earlier this year with a live concert fundraiser held earlier this year to fund the efforts of the various ministries within the church.

Bemis said her congregation is attempting to aid Camp Take Notice, as well as fund upkeep of camp grounds that the church board have considered selling to the Department of Natural Resources at one point, but church members decided that the camp ground had too many good memories and potential for more in the future to let go for any sum of money.

"We have a lot of people who say they have good memories and there were many good events from their childhood there," Bemis said.

Webster Church of Christ also sponsors Habitat for Humanity houses, raises fresh vegetables for Food Gatherers and is looking for a replacement for the Ghana ministry that is winding down in the final time of the 10-year period of commitment that the church initially committed to. That ministry has resulted in the construction of a dozen water wells, aiding villages and refugee camps, and providing school and scholarship money to better the lives of several African children.

"Our community outreach efforts have been very successful," Bemis said. "We have had many peoplefrom the community who weren't members or regular church goers or friends of Webster, but they showed up because they wanted to support the camp."

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WEBSTER TOWNSHIP: Webster United Church of Christ to hold barbecue fundraiser after Memorial Day parade