Love and Lights, 2024
First Presbyterian Church in downtown Milton will be hosting its second annual fundraiser, Love and Lights, on October 12th at 6 p.m. Last year the dinner was a huge success—hosted in the middle of Elmira Street—with lights strung overhead and, as the evening settled in, stars shining above. Even before food was served, guests delighted in the beauty of the scene—a 72’ table lavished with color and texture, with flowers and wild vines, even with vegetables, not to mention the eclectic mixture of patterned china, and sparkling glassware. Jeanne Kimberl, who serves as the event’s Creative Director and is one of the congregation’s many artists said, “we were a bit anxious setting the tables. The wind was gusting. We were struggling to hold things in place, but it was amazing. Just an hour before guests arrived, the wind settled, the air became crisp. Our tables became the perfect focal point for the early autumn evening everyone craves. It was magical.”
Before dinner, guests were invited to browse the many pieces of art and jewelry and baked goods up for auction. The warm and friendly rapport was palpable even between folks who had not known each other before the event. Deborah Potter, who serves as the preacher at First Presbyterian said, “I had been wondering if people would be nervous about attending an event where you’re eating with people you just met. It wasn’t that way at all. The deep welcoming spirit that pervades our congregation seemed to allow all our members and guests to just relax and enjoy the beauty before them. I have reflected on it since as something that felt sacramental.”
And then dinner came. Out of the side door of the church’s fellowship hall, flowed broad bowls and long platters of grilled meats, delicate sides and decadent desserts. The guests helped themselves and each other to a meal many later called one of their best. Chef Chris Kimberl, known for his creative, opulent, and sprawling cuisine, delighted guests with unexpected flavors and textures that were sophisticated and artistic, yet somehow still felt like comfort food.
Members of the congregation, then only about twenty in number, helped Chef prepare. They also ironed every cloth, washed every single dish, set every table, strung every light, crafted every menu and name tag, baked every loaf of bread. They hosted tables, served the food, refilled glasses, handed out prizes and made sure every guest was content. As dinner wound down, as the slightest chill settled in the air, the entire dinner party sang Amazing Grace. The gooseflesh on every arm had nothing to do with temperature. The notes of that spiritual, familiar refrain floated down Elmira street, outward to Milton’s businesses, the highways, the river.
At evening’s end, the members of what was a tiny congregation cleared dishes without notice, took down lights, cleaned the street, washed every single dish again and locked the sanctuary doors until they would open again for worship the next day.
Since the time of last year’s memorable event, First Presbyterian Church has more than doubled in attendance. The congregation prides itself on continuing Jesus’ ministry of belonging and inclusion where everyone, everyone is welcome and always, always embraced.
This year the event promises to be just as delightful with a table that will stretch even further down the heart of Milton and even more artists and chefs in charge of beauty and cuisine. The silent auction will feature art of all kinds—painting, photography, woodwork, baking. Though the preacher keeps begging to serve more and more guests, she’s had to agree with Chef Chris—while Jesus’ ministry of love and belonging is infinite and eternal, fine dining requires some limits. So, this year, 100 feasting, joyous guests will gather beneath the oaks of Elmira to enjoy food and wine and conversation and laughter. The church encourages everyone to sign up as soon as they can—before tickets are sold out, and to remember—Sunday morning requires no registration. All it takes is stepping into that beautiful, old, once-dying church that appears to be now resurrected.
“Everyone expected our little church to just wither away, but instead we kept welcoming new members and visitors to worship and fellowship. In the early days, we could barely get through hymns on Sundays with so many timid voices. Now we have a little choir and enjoy hearing babies babbling through worship. We’re still a small congregation, but the feeling of openness and welcome and love fills and overflows the sanctuary every time we’re together. I think that’s what keeps people coming.” Deborah Potter, Preacher, FPC Milton.
Register for Love and Lights here: https://onrealm.org/FirstPresbyteri23955/give/now
Join us for worship every Sunday at 9 a.m. Everyone, everyone is always welcome.
Browse Le Menu below.
First Presbyterian Church in downtown Milton will be hosting its second annual fundraiser, Love and Lights, on October 12th at 6 p.m. Last year the dinner was a huge success—hosted in the middle of Elmira Street—with lights strung overhead and, as the evening settled in, stars shining above. Even before food was served, guests delighted in the beauty of the scene—a 72’ table lavished with color and texture, with flowers and wild vines, even with vegetables, not to mention the eclectic mixture of patterned china, and sparkling glassware. Jeanne Kimberl, who serves as the event’s Creative Director and is one of the congregation’s many artists said, “we were a bit anxious setting the tables. The wind was gusting. We were struggling to hold things in place, but it was amazing. Just an hour before guests arrived, the wind settled, the air became crisp. Our tables became the perfect focal point for the early autumn evening everyone craves. It was magical.”
Before dinner, guests were invited to browse the many pieces of art and jewelry and baked goods up for auction. The warm and friendly rapport was palpable even between folks who had not known each other before the event. Deborah Potter, who serves as the preacher at First Presbyterian said, “I had been wondering if people would be nervous about attending an event where you’re eating with people you just met. It wasn’t that way at all. The deep welcoming spirit that pervades our congregation seemed to allow all our members and guests to just relax and enjoy the beauty before them. I have reflected on it since as something that felt sacramental.”
And then dinner came. Out of the side door of the church’s fellowship hall, flowed broad bowls and long platters of grilled meats, delicate sides and decadent desserts. The guests helped themselves and each other to a meal many later called one of their best. Chef Chris Kimberl, known for his creative, opulent, and sprawling cuisine, delighted guests with unexpected flavors and textures that were sophisticated and artistic, yet somehow still felt like comfort food.
Members of the congregation, then only about twenty in number, helped Chef prepare. They also ironed every cloth, washed every single dish, set every table, strung every light, crafted every menu and name tag, baked every loaf of bread. They hosted tables, served the food, refilled glasses, handed out prizes and made sure every guest was content. As dinner wound down, as the slightest chill settled in the air, the entire dinner party sang Amazing Grace. The gooseflesh on every arm had nothing to do with temperature. The notes of that spiritual, familiar refrain floated down Elmira street, outward to Milton’s businesses, the highways, the river.
At evening’s end, the members of what was a tiny congregation cleared dishes without notice, took down lights, cleaned the street, washed every single dish again and locked the sanctuary doors until they would open again for worship the next day.
Since the time of last year’s memorable event, First Presbyterian Church has more than doubled in attendance. The congregation prides itself on continuing Jesus’ ministry of belonging and inclusion where everyone, everyone is welcome and always, always embraced.
This year the event promises to be just as delightful with a table that will stretch even further down the heart of Milton and even more artists and chefs in charge of beauty and cuisine. The silent auction will feature art of all kinds—painting, photography, woodwork, baking. Though the preacher keeps begging to serve more and more guests, she’s had to agree with Chef Chris—while Jesus’ ministry of love and belonging is infinite and eternal, fine dining requires some limits. So, this year, 100 feasting, joyous guests will gather beneath the oaks of Elmira to enjoy food and wine and conversation and laughter. The church encourages everyone to sign up as soon as they can—before tickets are sold out, and to remember—Sunday morning requires no registration. All it takes is stepping into that beautiful, old, once-dying church that appears to be now resurrected.
“Everyone expected our little church to just wither away, but instead we kept welcoming new members and visitors to worship and fellowship. In the early days, we could barely get through hymns on Sundays with so many timid voices. Now we have a little choir and enjoy hearing babies babbling through worship. We’re still a small congregation, but the feeling of openness and welcome and love fills and overflows the sanctuary every time we’re together. I think that’s what keeps people coming.” Deborah Potter, Preacher, FPC Milton.
Register for Love and Lights here: https://onrealm.org/FirstPresbyteri23955/give/now
Join us for worship every Sunday at 9 a.m. Everyone, everyone is always welcome.
Browse Le Menu below.
