Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

Fellowship found at First United

STAFF WRITER

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For residents and volunteers, the 63rd annual Turkey Dinner and Bazaar at First United Methodist Church represents an opportunity to bring community members together in

Staff photo:

Kurt Munz-Raper

Volunteers for the 63rd Annual Turkey Dinner and Bazaar at First United Methodist Church served community members a Thanksgiving feast Thursday.

fellowship.

“Last year we served 25,091 people,” said Shelly Atwood, chairman of the dinner. “All of our money goes for missions, some local, some nationally. We will help the Adopt-a-Cop (program) and send some (money) overseas.”

Atwood said she has participated in the event for over 10 years.

“It’s something that the community has looked forward to for years and years,” said Atwood. “It brings people to our church.”

Caley Mosier, who attends First United Methodist Church, was one of the volunteers for the event.

“It’s our own personal service to our church and the community,” said Mosier.

Attendees said the event is beneficial for bringing the community together.

“We come every year, and we enjoy it,” said attendee Lea Anne Johnson. “It brings people together that you don’t see.”

“One of the unique things about it is people from various churches come here,” said attendee Gaylon Bobo. “It overcomes our religious isolation.”

Local resident Kenda Strollinger said she attends the event annually.

“We love the craft show that they do, and the food’s really good,” said Strollinger. “It’s a lot of fun.”

Strollinger added it’s difficult to see a lot of people in the Portales community frequently, and this event is one circumstance where you can visit with people you have not seen in a long time.

“It’s across the board — judges down to housekeepers (attend),” said Strollinger. “It’s here for everybody, and I think that’s what the church should be doing.”

The event represented good fellowship, according to attendees James and Rica Lee, who said they had a good time during the seasonal tradition.

“This opens the holiday season,” said Rica Lee. “It’s absolutely community building at it’s best.”