Pottery is 'souper' mission project

At Centenary UMC in Lawton, creativity and cash combine in a campaign to feed the coffers of the city’s food bank. Above, Sierra Brady examines her design work on a pottery soup bowl. During a silent auction at the church on Super Bowl Sunday, Maddie Crimmins, right, licks her lips over the completed bowls as her grandfather, Jim Cothren, ponders bids. Below, youth members take their turn decorating the bowls. Courtney Offield is at left, and Makaila Rodriguez sits beside her.

Pottery bowls decorated by students fed the "Souper Bowl Sunday" mission project by Centenary United Methodist Church in Lawton.

On Feb. 24, church leaders presented a $1,785 check to the Lawton Food Bank.

"The idea started in August as we planned our Wednesday LOGOS Ministry," said Allison Offield, the church’s ministries coordinator. "We were trying to think of ways for our children and youth to be involved in a mission that was fun as well as effective. Although it began for our LOGOS Ministry, we made certain to let the whole congregation know, and they, too, became involved."

A Lawton pottery studio was contacted. For the project, the studio offered discounts.

On Jan 20, about 30 elementary-age children painted soup bowls at the studio. One week later, some 20 middle-school youths took their turns. On the following Wednesday, a group of high school students followed suit. Some individuals, families, and women’s groups also visited the studio and painted soup bowls.

"By the time all of them were picked up and brought back to the church, we had 103 bowls!" declared Offield.

The congregation was invited to a "Souper Bowl Luncheon," with homemade chicken noodle soup and a silent auction of the bowls—on Feb. 7, Super Bowl Sunday, of course. All proceeds went to the food bank.