Middletown CT's Community Christmas Dinner

12/27/2025

12/27/2025

Magic happened at the First Church Middletown, UCC Community Christmas Dinner 2025! Bellies and souls were fed in a beautiful way as folks from all walks of life and faith broke bread, equal at God's table, and shared their stories. I have no doubt that Jesus and Julie Hurlbert were were there in spirit, proud to witness this day of blessings.

Over 450 meals served, 250+ were Meals-to-Go. The aprons and name tags were a success! Our Servers in red, Green Clean Team in green, Gravy Train wore khaki, Cranberry Team wore burgundy, Beverage Team in their navy stripes and Dessert Team in their white--neon green for folks like myself, Sue B, Molly and MJ as folks “in charge.” The aprons made it easier to identify those who were there to be of service and help the flow of the event.

I am keeping this post short today to honor the promise of rest I gave to myself after two months of planning, coordinating (I have multiple spreadsheets!) this labor of love we know to be The First Church Free Community Christmas Dinner. It is an honor to be a part of this, and a true labor of love to honor my friend Julie.

I am going to try and post a few pictures now--and more will follow. Please share your photos here (if able), or send them to me at [email protected].
THANK YOU EVERYONE for being there to make this event so special for our guests.

Peace & Blessings,
Linda Choser
Event Coordinator

12/22/2025

It's time to bring in your cookies, and dessert treats, cranberry sauce, stuffing and beverages!

The First Church Middletown, UCC will be open 10am-2pm Mon-Wed this week. Come in through the side door and follow the signs to the Parish Hall. There will be folks in the kitchen prepping the food for the dinner.

Thank you!
Linda

12/22/2025

Hi Everyone! Here's the latest:

We need more servers for 1pm-2pm shift (and more for earlier as well). This year we have aprons for those serving meals and working the various team efforts.

Please report to the Hospitality Room when you arrive and we'll give you something to do.

We serve over 200 meals and the help of our volunteers who show up from ALL OVER CT make this dinner a wonderful experience.

Email me if you wish to volunteer: [email protected]

Peace & Blessings,
Linda

12/09/2025

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED IN KITCHEN FOR DINNER FOOD PREP

12/09/2025

**Meal-to-Go Deadline Orders for the Christmas Dinner is
December 23rd at Noon**

Please call First Church at (860) 346-6657 and leave a message for Kortney (Name, Address, phone No. and # of meals)

11/29/2025

The planning for the 2025 First Church Community Christmas Dinner is underway! The dinner is at First Church Middletown, UCC on Christmas Day from Noon - 2pm.

If you volunteered last year and provided your email address, be on the lookout for an email next week on ways to support this wonderful event that truly exemplifies the meaning of Christmas.

There are many ways to volunteer this year starting on December 21 - 24 with food preparation; and various shifts to sign up for if you wish to be of service on Christmas Day.

This Community Christmas Dinner is supported solely by donations and many, many fabulous volunteers.

Donations are being accepted at this time: turkeys, smoked hams, boxes of stuffing, large cans of sweet potatoes, dinner rolls, and jellied cranberry sauce. You must call or email First Church to let us know what you can contribute.

Do you like to make desserts? Bring us your cookies, brownies, pies and assorted sweets!

Please email First Church: [email protected] and put CHRISTMAS DINNER in the Subject line; or call the church at (860) 346-6657 and leave Kortney a message.

Thank you to St. Vincent de Paul Middletown for your steadfast support year after year. Let's get the word out Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce.

Peace & Blessings,
Linda Choser
Event Coordinator
First Church Community Christmas Dinner

12/19/2024

Hello Everyone! If you are donating food items for the Christmas Community Dinner, drop off dates are on the flyer below. Thank you for your generosity!

If you are volunteering, I will post dates and times soon. If you wish to volunteer and have not signed up, please call the church and leave your name and number--we now have shifts! Peace & Blessings to All!
Linda Choser
Event Coordinator

12/13/2024

DONATIONS NEEDED! Season’s Greetings! We are in need of 10 more turkeys and 10 more hams! If you are able to donate, please call First Church and leave a message for Kortney (860-346-6657) or email me at [email protected]

Turkey Drop off dates: FROZEN: Dec. 17; COOKED: Dec. 22-24 between the hours of 10am-2pm. Please use side door entrance of First Church, 190 Court Street, Middletown.

THANK YOU! Your generous contributions make this event a true Christmas miracle!
Peace & Blessings--Linda Choser, Event Coordinator