HOT PURSUIT

Over the years I have always had an appreciation for “church ladies” (sometimes men, too, but mostly women) who certainly know how to dish up great hospitality for a variety of church-related functions.

This became evident to me once again last week when I stopped out at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church at Meriden. It was part of the Friendship Wagon Train traveling across southeastern Minnesota over an eight-day stretch. About 65 cowboys, ranchers and farm hands stopped for a lunch break at St. Paul’s where the “church ladies” came into play.

They dished up a traditional sloppy Joe meal for the wagon train participants. The effort was coordinated by Jayne Dinse of Owatonna. It certainly wasn’t the largest gathering they’ve been involved with, but it didn’t stop them from offering lots of love to mostly strangers they’ve never met before.

The group appropriately is called, St. Paul’s Women of Mission. Seven women took time out of their busy schedules to serve a noontime meal. Their effort was helped with a $250 grant from Thrivent Financial, Dinse said.

Some wore special Thrivent t-shirts with the words “live generously” stitched on them. Live generously is Thrivent’s core rallying cry, representing their mission to help clients give back to their communities. Through programs like Thrivent Action Teams, members lead local volunteer projects and receive resources, including up to $250 in seed money and the iconic t-shirts.

There was no doubt the Meriden ladies were acting with a heart and making the lunch with love.

“It’s such an honor (to do this),” she said, adding especially the cause they represent with Special Olympics Minnesota. The wagon train raises up to $35,000 every year to help Special Olympics.

St. Paul’s group took up a freewill donation totaling $233 for the meal. It didn’t go into the pocketbook of the church, but rather it was turned back to the riders for Special Olympics.

The foundation of Special Olympics provides athletic opportunities for children and adults with intellectual and physical disabilities. The movement has been spreading because of its mission and values filled with inclusivity and kindness.

It has grown into schools like Byron High School, through its Unified Club and physical education class that promotes inclusive environment for all students, with or without disabilities.

Dinse said she received a call from Jolene Gundermann of Waseca inquiring if St. Paul’s would host the riders for lunch. Gundermann is one of the riders who has been involved since its beginning nearly four decades ago.

The rural church near the county line of Steele and Waseca had been familiar territory for the wagon train. In 1989, they camped overnight on the church grounds during the ride. St. Paul’s council didn’t think twice about allowing the riders to use the church as a lunch stop.

In fact, Dale Hoffman, who serves as church president at St. Paul’s, brought in a couple wagons for the riders tie up their horses during the stop.

After 38 years, organizers of the wagon train say the tradition continues for them because movements like these are encouraged by the support of their communities.

The church ladies at St. Paul’s have fulfilled a need where they helped a group of horse lovers go in hot pursuit of raising awareness and donations for such a worthy cause.