Muffin Mornings a scrumptious success

Sarah Rennie - There's nothing quite like the smell of muffins fresh from the oven, especially when paired with just brewed coffee. It's a winning combination, and for the Huntington United Church Women (UCW), it has proven to be a scrumptious success. The idea to start opening the Church every Friday for Muffin Morning was inspired by a story of a similar program being run out of a church in England. The women of the UCW were looking for a way to become more involved in the broader community and decided to put their baking skills to good use. The first Muffin Morning took place last March to a very positive response, and has been gaining in popularity ever since, with an average now of between 12-16 visitors per week. “Reaching out to the community has been really very special,” says Wendy Kell, one of the UCW members behind the initiative. “it’s great quality time,” she notes, of the conversations that take place in the small basement parlour. There are a number of church regulars who attend, but also several members of other churches as well as people who stop in off the street. “It is nothing to do with church life,” suggests Ms. Kell. Rather, “it is a drop-in place with no strings attached,” says Gail MacGregor, who is also involved in the project. Among the people who come together each week, the gathering has been used by a group of mothers looking for a place to meet with a safe environment for their children to play. In encouraging this type of activity, the UCW sees the Muffin Mornings as an opportunity for people of all ages to enjoy a delicious snack in each other’s company free of any expectation. With no set price, the weekly Muffin Morning is not a fundraiser, however the UCW has been especially surprised by the generosity of those who come to enjoy a fresh muffin and cup of joe. So far, the initiative has allowed the group to make several sizeable donations to charitable organizations including The War Amps, Humanitarian Coalition, Canadian Feed the Children, as well as a donation to the Church. The weekly Muffin Morning is open every Friday morning from 9:30 am to 11:30 am at the Huntingdon United Church. Everyone is welcome.