Monday Night Manna

You may remember hearing about manna from Sunday School, Bible studies or even Sunday sermons, and while the manna served up on the last Monday of each month at Tehachapi Mountain Vineyard differs in substance from that which God gave His people in the desert, the intent is very similar: feeding God's people when they find themselves in need and when there's more month than money.

Between Pastor Barry Galloway and Lilliana Valdez who, according to Pastor Galloway "runs a tight ship," organizes and oversees these great meals, Monday Night Manna certainly is filling a much needed service.

The idea itself isn't "new," but it certainly was "new" to the congregation at Mountain Vineyard. "Our congregation is involved in our community and we like to help where we can," explained Pastor Galloway.

"We work closely with the Salvation Army and the Family Life Pregnancy Center here in Tehachapi in addition to providing a really good meal once a month for those who find themselves in need – whether it be in need of a meal or in need of fellowship."

Being treated with respect and dignity makes everyone feel good.

"Our associate church, the Desert Vineyard in Lancaster, has taken their Manna project from once a month to every Monday night and they currently are serving between 200 and 300 meals every Monday. We decided we'd start small, do it well and watch it grow," Pastor said with a big smile. "Our first Monday Night Manna served 13 people and we have grown to serving about 40 to 50."

Learning from their Lancaster sister-church, they have given congregation members a way to not only serve each other but serve God as well. "Monday Night Manna is like a very well organized pot luck," Pastor explained. "We don't have kitchen facilities as yet and all of the food is prepared by members of our congregation and brought to the church. Lilliana has organized teams of volunteers to not only prepare the meals, but to set up, serve, and visit with those who come. We also have a safety team who makes sure everyone is safe inside the church and around the grounds and a great team who cleans up after the meal."

Monday Night Manna at Mountain Vineyard began about 11 months ago and has been the springboard for incorporating a sack lunch prepared on the Sunday before Monday Night Manna after the second service. "We deliver the lunches to areas in need and invite the folks to Monday Night Manna," Pastor said.

"Our volunteers do an incredible job," shared Lilliana. "The project has changed many lives – not only those who are in need of a helping hand, but also the lives of those who give of their time and work, myself and my family included. Even my 17 year old son Christian gets involved with a loving, giving heart. And how many teenagers do you know these days who cheerfully help on a project such as this?" she said with a big smile.

All of the volunteers must be members of Mountain Vineyard, she explained further. "For the project to work efficiently, everyone must know exactly what they will be doing, thus our "teams."

We have an orientation and Volunteer Voyage 101 that they go through before actually taking part in the Monday night event."

After the orientation, members are assigned to specific teams: serving, beverages, "floaters" (aka host or hostess who go from table to table engaging in conversation) and part of the safety team. Lilliana plans all of the menus and then posts them on EventBright where volunteers then sign up to fill the needs for a particular Monday night. "That way, I know where, if anywhere, I need to fill in. Our volunteers are the real heros here! They all care about people." (Most of the time the cost of the food, including yummy desserts, is all shouldered by the individual volunteers – so it truly is a gift of love from the heart.)

"We welcome anyone to join us," said Pastor. "Whether they are hungry or just lonely, they always can come for food and friendship. So, if you find yourself in a time of need, Monday Night Manna at Mountain Vineyard is the place to be. Our hope is that everyone who joins us will help spread the word so our project will continue to grow."

"We see single folks and families, young and the elderly. And we encourage folks to come back through the serving line for seconds if they are really hungry and we send them home with food as well," explained Lilliana. "We are planning a canned food drive so we can also send folks home with canned goods and maybe even fresh fruit."

"People need to have relationships with other people and conversation is important for folks who may spend days without actually talking with others," explained Lilliana. "We have great musicians who also give of their time and provide wonderful worship background music, so Monday Night Manna is like dining at a fine restaurant. But if I can't hear myself talk, the music is softened so people can talk and share."

Some of the folks walk and some carpool, Pastor explained. "We can't pick them up because of liability issues. But they are good at getting the word out and finding rides when they need to."

"In addition to our regular Monday Night Manna events, we also are around at other times of the year.

For example, at Thanksgiving we handed out certificates for turkeys and goodies and then at Christmas we handed out blankets and personal hygiene items. I know I've said it before, but again, we, as a congregation, and individually, care about those around us and want to help where we can," said Pastor.

Tehachapi Mountain Vineyard is located at 502 East Pinon (corner of Pinon and Scarlet Oak) and has two services on Sunday, one at 9 a.m. and another at

11 a.m.

Remember, Monday Night Manna is the last Monday of the month, with dinner served between 6 and 7 p.m.

If you'd like more information about Tehachapi Mountain Vineyard, their services or Monday Night Manna,

please give the church office a call at

661-822-9313.