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Lenten services return after two-year absence
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Rev. Jimmie Lancaster of First Presbyterian Church served as the inaugural speaker for the 2022 Lenten series of Wednesday services organized by the Greater McMinnville Ministerial Fellowship. Programs start at 12:05 p.m. every Wednesday through Easter week at First United Methodist Church and are broadcast the following Fridays and Tuesdays on WCPI 91.3 at 11:10 a.m. and 11:10 p.m. - photo by Bill Zechman

A once-in-a-century pandemic of a fiercely contagious and deadly disease knocked countless cherished traditions off track. One of those was the Lenten mid-week services organized by the Greater McMinnville Ministerial Fellowship.

When the series restarted Wednesday after a two-year suspension, it was cause for celebration.  And for serious reflection on the 40 days preceding Easter and the deeply spiritual meanings of the observance, which began some 1,800 years ago when multitudes were flocking to the early Christian church.

Rev. Jimmie Lancaster, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, was the visiting speaker for the lead-off event. He didn’t have far to travel as his late-19th Century house of worship is just across West Main Street from the regular venue for the Lenten devotionals, the comparably historic First United Methodist Church.

The public is invited to the services starting every Wednesday at 12:05 p.m. in the First United sanctuary. Ministers from various churches in Warren County will alternate in offering short lessons on themes from the New Testament accounts of Christ’s last days before His crucifixion and resurrection.  

Rev. Ryan Heatherly from the host church will be the presenter this coming Wednesday, March 9.

Following the spiritual nourishment in the Lenten worship, everyone attending is invited to the fellowship hall downstairs for a complimentary luncheon provided by that week’s sponsoring church. Guests needing to return to work speedily are encouraged to fill a carry-out box and take the soups, sandwiches and desserts with them.

Non-commercial public radio WCPI 91.3 FM has historically broadcast the Lenten devotionals the following Friday at 11:10 a.m. with a repeat at 11:10 p.m. Beginning with the resumption of the series this month, the non-profit broadcaster is adding a second day for airing the weekly services—the following Tuesday at 11:10 a.m. and 11:10 p.m.

Local farm partnership brings fresh beef to Warren County Schools
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Warren County Schools has beefed up lunch menus this school year through a new community partnership. Thanks to a collaboration between the district’s School Nutrition Department and Barton Creek Farms, students at Warren County High School, Warren County Middle School, West Elementary, Eastside Elementary, and Dibrell Elementary are enjoying locally sourced, farm-fresh beef in their lunches as part of a pilot program.

The initiative, spearheaded by Terri Mullican, Director of School Nutrition, has already shown great promise in its first few months. The partnership with Barton Creek Farms, located in Rock Island, Tennessee, ensures that the beef served is not only local to Warren County but of the highest quality. Barton Creek Farms specializes in farm-to-fork beef, with grass-fed and grain-finished cattle. Each calf is born and raised in Rock Island and goes through USDA-inspected processing, ensuring it meets the strictest safety and quality standards.

“When the opportunity arose to provide fresh, local beef, we knew it was a no-brainer,” Mullican said. “The fact that it’s a product from right here in our community makes it even more special. We can’t wait to implement it district-wide.”

Barton Creek Farms delivers fresh ground beef to the district monthly, and the nutrition

department incorporates it into homemade recipes such as lasagna, meatloaf, chili, and tacos.

As of now, the beef is being served at five schools, but the ultimate goal is to expand the program to all ten lunch-serving schools in the district.

The pilot program originated from a conversation between Mary Roller of Barton Creek Farms and Mullican. Roller, recognizing the farm’s potential to support local schools, reached out to gauge the district’s interest in serving local beef to students. Around the same time, a Warren County school board member contacted Mullican to share information about a similar partnership in neighboring Dekalb County, which helped push the initiative forward.

The timing worked in the district’s favor, as the nutrition department was able to fund the purchase of the beef using existing resources, eliminating the need for additional funding. Now that the pilot program is enjoying a successful run, the department has budgeted to extend the partnership district-wide for the 2025-26 school year.

Dr. Grant Swallows, Director of Schools, praised the program’s economic approach to student nutrition.

“This pilot is a perfect example of how we can use local resources to continue providing nutritious, healthy meals for our students,” he said. “We are grateful for partnerships like this one that benefit both our students and our local community. We always strive to support our local businesses when we can because our community is so good to us.”

In addition to working with Warren County Schools, Barton Creek Farms also partners with local restaurants to offer farm-fresh beef on their menus. The farm’s offerings include ground beef, steaks, roasts, and custom cuts by the quarter, half, or whole cow, meeting diverse consumer needs.

As the program continues to grow, the district hopes to expand its focus on farm-to-school meals, benefiting students’ health and connecting them to the agricultural roots of the community