freshbreadfaith@gmail.com

BY SHERI TRUSTY

PORT CLINTON – On June 23, Fresh Bread celebrated four years of bringing friends and strangers together for a shared meal and open conversations about faith. Each month, the churched and the unchurched come together for a free meal and the opportunity to talk about their faith, discuss their doubts. and ask questions in a nonjudgemental atmosphere. The June event was held at Firelands Presbyterian Church.

Fresh Bread dinners are hosted by Dan Moulton, Pastor Bobbie Bella, and Pastor Chris Young.

“People from different churches come,” said Jeanette Walls, a member of Firelands Presbyterian who often attends the meals. “One lady is a Franciscan nun, and there are two Catholic priests. It’s a way to connect people from different churches.”

As they celebrated Fresh Bread’s fourth birthday, Moulton, Bella and Young talked about the past, present and future of Fresh Bread. As the idea for Fresh Bread was first discussed, they knew they wanted the ministry to be community-based and centered around a meal. As they considered their target audience, they decided to leave that up to God.

This group enjoyed dinner together at Fresh Bread. They are, from left, Jeanette Walls, Alta Olmstead, Barb Kocsis, Amy Carpenter and Brian Shifflet. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

“We decided to follow the Spirit. We would open the door and trust God for who came in,” Moulton said. “God has steered this boat, and we are thankful we are on it.”

Fresh Bread became an outlet for Moulton’s personal faith.

“I wanted to be a man of God, and I wanted to do that by sharing Christ with others,” he said. “Faith, hope and love multiply when you give it away.”

Faith, hope and love, which are foundational precepts in the Bible, define Fresh Bread today, Bella said.

Dan Moulton talks to the large crowd that gathered for Fresh Bread on June 23. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

“If you were going to explain Fresh Bread to a friend, I see those three things – faith, hope and love – explaining Fresh Bread today,” Bella said. “Faith brings us together. For people who have questions about faith, this is a safe place to express doubt. Love is what we do at Fresh Bread.”

Young said Fresh Bread will continue to bring hope into the community.

“Jesus said, ‘I am the Bread of Life.’ Jesus has created us in the image of the Bread of Life,” she said. “Our faith gatherings in the future are not just to eat bread but to be bread.”

Old friends and new friends meet at Fresh Bread each month. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

Fresh Bread will continue to feed the community physically and spiritually in the future.

“Dan is taking Fresh Bread to the streets,” Young said.

Moulton is working on plans to bring meals to groups around the community to connect with people who may not be able to attend Fresh Bread or who may not have heard about it. A second community meal, called Community Table, has already been established on the west end of Port Clinton. Community Table is hosted by Ottawa County Family Advocacy Center and community volunteers on the last Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m.

The June 23 meal was packed with dozens of people, some who have come for years and some who were attending for the first time. They enjoyed cello music provided by Brian Shifflet and a roast chicken meal prepared by Chef’s Best. But mostly, they enjoyed the old and new friendships that surrounded them.

Fresh Bread is a safe space to discuss faith over a shared meal. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

“I do enjoy it, and I talk about it all the time. I tell people they don’t know what they’re missing,” said Barb Kocsis, a longtime Fresh Bread attendee. “I come because of the people and because of the feeling you get while you’re here.”

The next Fresh Bread event will be held on Monday, July 28, at 5 p.m. at Firelands Presbyterian Church, located at 2626 E. Harbor Rd. in Port Clinton. All are welcome. The event is free, but please RSVP to freshbreadfaith@gmail.com or 419-798-5119.