The New Vienna Community Church held its 10th Annual Virginia Caldwell Memorial Garbage Can Supper on Saturday, Sept. 19 on the grounds of the church with approximately 50 members and friends gathered.
A Garbage Can Supper is a unique way to cook food, the process having been inherited from Samantha Friends Church former member Virginia Caldwell. Pastor Dan Mayo and his wife, Bev, pastored the Samantha Church back in 2001 and 2002 where Virginia was a member.
Mrs. Caldwell held numerous suppers over the years for members and friends. After Virginia died in 2010, the Mayo’s decided to carry on the tradition at their church in New Vienna in her memory.
Chicken, potatoes, carrots, cabbage, onions, and smoked sausage are layered on a rack in a can that holds about 6 inches of water in the bottom of the can. The can is placed on an open fire and cooks for 2 ½ to 3 hours. It is then taken off the fire, and the layers of food are taken out individually and put into serving bowls and served along with sides, salads and desserts brought by guests. Supper was served about 5:30.
This year, an added feature was the burning of the church mortgage which was taken out at the beginning of the ministry in 2008. It was subsequently refinanced in 2016 through LCNB. The mortgage was paid in full in August, and the church chose this occasion for a mortgage-burning ceremony.
“We are so proud of our congregation for the incredibly hard work and perseverance demonstrated by its members in seeing this great accomplishment come to pass,” said pastor Dan Mayo. “The weather was perfect; everyone had a delightful time of fellowship, corn hole and other games, supper, and the mortgage burning around the fire afterwards.
“We are very blessed with faithful members who give generously of their time, talent and resources and keep the grounds looking beautiful, the offering plate full and the fellowship rich. Our motto, ‘Pray and March on’, was coined about four years ago by a member who advised me, while going through some challenges himself, that this is simply what we must do. And, we have done just that. Now, as we look forward to the future God has in store for us, we will continue to ‘Pray and March on!’”
Regular services are held Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and Wednesday at 6 p.m. For more information, please call Pastor Mayo at 937-725-0445.
