Love Thy Neighbor

Soul Table

“Neighbor is not a geographic term, it is a moral obligation.”       ~ ~ ~Rabbi Printz

As of January 1, 2026, Murphy First UMC sponsors Soul Table
every Thursday from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

What is Soul Table?

Our church believes that when our worship service is over, our worship through service is beginning.

  • Our neighbors, including the homeless, the lonely, the hungry, and others, are welcomed between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. when we freely share a delicious, filling, and nutritious meal while offering listening ears and companionship.
  • It is open to ANY MEMBER of our community regardless of situation.
  • Soul Table is a place to establish relationships in a warm, inviting place. laughter rings out as people gather and share stories.
  • Soul Table, now in its fourth year, goes beyond just offering a meal. Volunteers help spread the word about local resources, jobs, shelter and medical help. It seems that at every Soul Table lunch, someone is able to make a connection and get the help or services that are needed. But . . . even if all someone needs is a good meal and some conversation, Soul Table provides it.
  • We are also proud to keep investing in our local farming community, having spent $3,265.94 from Jan. – June 2026 on locally produced food. Our tables were graced with potatoes from Happy Valley Farm in Andrews, beef from Bass Hyatt in Brasstown, carrots from J.C. Campbell Folk School, eggs from Casa Canaan Farm, and
    cabbage from SMM in Hayesville. Every dish served is a taste of our region — grown,
    raised, and shared by neighbors caring for neighbors.
 

Dedicated volunteers are at the heart of our Soul Table Ministry. These three joyful volunteers added some St. Patrick’s Day mischief and mirth to a March 2026 Soul Table.

A HUGE thanks to our Soul Table volunteers. These folks have been faithfully serving our neighbors for three years! (Not pictured, Gail Peck).

The Meals

  • Chefs prepare the meals, and volunteers serve the guests at the table.
  • We serve the meals on our best dishes, not disposable ware.
  • We also serve the meals to our neighbors at the table; no one waits in line.
  • Each meal includes desserts and fresh fruits. We serve a number of locally sourced foods.
  • Guests can also take food home, and non-perishable food items are available to anyone who needs them.
  • We serve special meals at Thanksgiving, Easter and Christmas. Many people are lonely at holiday time, with no family with whom to share a meal.

Our Beliefs

We believe that kindness is loaning someone your strength instead of reminding them of their weakness.

We believe that we are not to judge or figure out if someone is deserving of our help.

We believe that our job is to restore the broken, lift the fallen and heal the hurting.

We believe that God expects us to treat others with kindness, grace and mercy because that is what God does for us.

We have found that most people need someone to listen to them and be kind to them.

We firmly believe that a blessing is not only what God does for you, but what God does through you.

How To Help

  1. Financial donation to support the cost of food and operation.
  2. Get involved by serving in the kitchen, prepping or serving the meal, etc.
  3. Contact Grant Corrigan for further information. 

Soul Table has been awarded $10,000.00 from Resourceful Communities — applied for in January 2026— designated for locally sourced food and on-site food education programming.

Over the six months ending April 30, 2026, Soul Table expanded to a hot, sit-down lunch every Thursday — welcoming 1,080 guests and serving 1,881 meals at an average of 41 guests and 11 volunteers per week! Please continue to support this program with prayers, donations, your presence and encouragement.

“It must be said
the Soul Table offers any member of our congregation
the chance to do for others.
It is a joy to find so many people anxious to help.
From cooking, decorating, serving, cleaning
and interacting with our neighbors,
the Soul Table provides a niche for everyone.”

                                           ~~~ Cobby and Diane Barfield, FOUNDER and former Soul Team leaders