Every community needs a time and place to come together. This is especially true during challenging days. What better way to do this than with warm food around tables in friendship, laughter and connectedness.
At Hillcrest, we value time spent together building community. This is done through weekly ministries of bible studies, kid’s groups, youth groups and church wide events.
Around the dinner table, we share our lives, our hopes, our dreams and our thoughts. This is how we relate to each other, meeting people, listening to their stories and breaking bread together.
A one-hour worship service each week does not leave room to build deep connections with people, but time spent together around the table, sharing a simple meal does. People need a space to feel heard, valued and connected. Scripture gives us countless examples of Jesus using meals as a form of ministry – feeding the five thousand, dining with outcasts, and breaking bread at the Last Supper. Perhaps we are called to do the same.
The Hillcrest Kitchen serves the church family in the following ways:
Funerals: During a difficult time in people’s lives, we create a simple meal so that the families can spend time together. We have a volunteer team that makes the food feel special with the care and creativity of serving with a smile and efficiency. 2024 saw 6 funerals.
Kid’s Groups: We have Glow Girls, Just Boys, XP 56 (Fridays and Sundays), weekly kid’s groups that have a snack together each week. (around 200 per week)
Youth Group: They meet on Tuesday and Friday nights and the kitchen provides a snack for their events.
Men and Ladies Bible Studies: These meet weekly with a snack provided.
Business Leader’s Group: A monthly group that enjoy a light breakfast.
Lunch Café: A monthly lunch group that meets on the fourth Thursday of the month. This is about 60-80 people that meet regularly. It is a safe place to invite your non-churched friends. Time is spent in conversation and getting to know one another better. It is a free lunch but donations are accepted to help with the costs. An example of the menu:
Two varieties of soup
Buns/Biscuits
Veggie tray
Dessert
Brunch Banquets for Ladies at Christmas and Spring: These are well-loved events that ladies can invite their friends and neighbours to. The attendance is capped at 200 ladies, and it consistently sells out. Many ladies (and some men) volunteer in the kitchen to make this event happen. You should hear the buzz in the kitchen on these mornings! So much fun!
Stick Around Sundays: These are church wide events that encourage the congregation to stay and get to know people better! It usually consists of a light meal such as soup and biscuits. Come to the gym and sit at a table and get to know other people as we share a meal together. These happen about 6 times a year and the gym is very full! Line ups are long but that is also a great way to meet new people too!
All Nations Sunday: This event celebrates the different cultures in our church and there is also a food connection. People come and make different foods / drinks that represent where they are from. The kitchen is a beehive of industry as people bake and fry their creations! This is a very fun and interactive experience!
Pajama Jam: Time change Sunday! On this Sunday to make up for the lack of sleep, kids come to church in their pajamas, and we give them breakfast!
IF Gathering: A two-day conference with a breakfast and lunch provided.
Easter Egg Hunt: The church kitchen provides “bunny bait” for the kids to munch on while hunting for the eggs.
Mother’s Day: We made chocolate chip oatmeal cookies for the moms with a variety of tea provided in a beautiful hand folded paper case.
AGM: There was a dessert buffet and coffee served while discussing the year in retrospect.
Anniversary Sunday: 2024 was a banner year at Hillcrest as we celebrated our 75th birthday! Cake, quiche, sausage and Biscuits were served in the foyer as we all celebrated.
Youth Grad Banquet: The grade 12s and their families celebrated the accomplishments for the past 12 years. Appetizers were provided as part of their celebration.
Father’s Day: Cupcakes were served to our dads (Chocolate, vanilla, coconut and red velvet)
Pancake Breakfast: Every year during the Medicine Hat Stampede, Hillcrest brings out the griddles and cowboy hats and serves pancakes and sausages to whoever comes! Last year, we served about 1600 people.
Summer Social: We celebrate our last single service of the summer with a fun get together. We serve the hot dogs and the congregation brings chips, cookies and drinks! Lots of fun and a huge variety of homemade and bought items!
September Kick-off: At the second Sunday of September, all our ministries begin, and we showcase our weekly events. Food is provided. Last year we had, homemade granola and yogurt, egg bites and fruit.
City-wide Youth events: a snack is provided for all the youth across the city that want to come.
Open House: We open our doors and welcome our neighbors. Light snacks are provided. We want to show our hospitality! Last year we served, Pepperoni Pizza sliders, oranges and Pumpkin cookies!
Legacy Christmas Banquet: A sit-down meal is made with the youth serving a family style meal. Last year we prepared; pork tenderloin, mashed sweet potatoes, broccoli salad and panna cotta with fresh berries and a berry sauce. The King’s Kids (our school aged children) put on a play with lots of singing! Cookies and hot chocolate are served after the performance. A wonderful event!
Cinnamon buns: served every Sunday in the foyer along with coffee, tea and water.
Phew! Is that everything? The church is abuzz with many events and the kitchen is an integral part of our ministries at Hillcrest. Thank you for supporting this ministry.
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