This is what Christmas is all about," said Clare Funck, describing a free community meal served at Cross Roads Church on Christmas Day. "There are other people who are going through the same thing you are, and this is a chance to connect with others. It just builds you up, which is what Jesus did for us. It's what the whole season is about."

For the 27th year, Cross Roads Church will serve a free community meal on Christmas Day. Food will be available for takeout or dine-in at the church, 800 Donegal Springs Road, Mount Joy, on Wednesday, Dec. 25 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The menu will feature turkey, gourmet potatoes, green beans, stuffing, rolls, gravy and desserts. All food will be made by church members, who will also serve the sit-down meal.

"This is all about serving the community and offering fellowship with others," said Funck, who directs the event committee with Kendric Bert. "A lot of people come because they have nowhere else to go on Christmas. Maybe they don't have any family, or their spouse just passed away, or their family members are scattered all over the place. That's the major reason why I started doing this."

Funck has been volunteering with the event for 22 years. She started helping out when she was looking for something to do on Christmas since her family members do not live nearby. "My husband's family is here, so we celebrate with them on Christmas Eve, but then on Christmas Day, I wanted to do something as well," she said.

Over the years, she's realized that she gets as much out of the meal as the guests do. "I just really enjoy the fellowship and talking to the people who come," she shared. "I come here to serve them, but they are serving me, too."

Bert has been helping coordinate the event for three years. "What brings me back is serving the less fortunate than what I am," he said, noting that he's referring to people who can't afford a meal like this or who don't have anyone to share it with. "It's a way to give back to the community."

Last year, the church served more than 400 meals, and both Funck and Bert encourage everyone to come to this year's event, whether they've attended before or not.

"Please come," Funck said. "You don't need to be a church member to come. It's open to the public. You will meet other people who are going through the same situation you are, and if you have someone who can't attend but you want to come, we'll send a plate home with you for them. The food is delicious. You can't go wrong with that."

The idea for the free Christmas meal began after church member Joe McFarland sought a way to serve those in need. "He started this with his family 27 years ago as an outreach for the community," Funck commented. "It was his dream."

Church members and other volunteers strive to make sure everyone feels included, and they will often seat people who don't know each other together as a way to foster connection.

"Sometimes other people pray for each other, too," she shared. "It's not required, of course, but it does happen. Sometimes we'll see people here who haven't come before to the meal, and then you see them coming to church on Sunday."

There is no charge for the Christmas meal, but donations will be accepted for the Mount Joy Food Bank.

"It's a great big circle," Funck stated. "Everything we collect goes to them to help the community, and that's what we are doing with this meal. It's all about giving and sharing."

She also invites people to worship at Cross Roads, noting that services are held at 9 and 10:30 a.m. on Sundays.

For the meal, reservations are requested but not required. To make a reservation, call the church office at 717-653-1616. Walk-ins will also be welcome. There is plenty of parking in a large lot adjacent to the church, and greeters will direct people about where to enter the building.