A gastronomic experience to remember has been set for Saturday, July 11, when four folks from the Open Table ministry will show off their culinary talents.

The four are members of the outdoor church for homeless people, most of whom live in the woods along U.S. 15-501 between Chapel Hill and Durham or have lived there at some time in the past. The dinner is a fundraiser for the ministry.

The menu will feature Shrimp Jambalaya as interpreted by Joe Pence, a former sous chef at the Capitol Hotel in Little Rock, Ark, who was also chef at the Waterfront Restaurant in Covington, Ky., and has been a short order cook here and there in his travels around the country.

His three compatriots are a man who prefers to be called "Panama," (George Ginn) whose long suit is Southern style cooking; Francine York, who has a reputation for cooking up a feast "out of nothing," a talent she uses when she prepares food for "the woods community" where she lives; and Scott Rhoton, who says he's the only one in his family who still knows how to make buttermilk biscuits from scratch.

The event will be held in the fellowship hall at Resurrection United Methodist, 4705 Old Chapel Hill Road in Durham from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Plates are $6.50 and take-out will be available. Also, a children's plate of chicken nuggets for $3.50 will be available.

The Rev. Carolyn Schuldt, director of the ministry, said that the dinner will spotlight the talents of some individuals who have cooking talents and experience, but are currently unemployed.

"This will give opportunity for Open Table folks to partner with Resurrection Church," Schuldt said. "Working together and sharing stories, folks find despite their different living situations, that they have much more in common than they realize."

Pence, who is the lead cook in this endeavor, is from Kentucky. He is a veteran and was a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg. He lived in the woods community until a year ago when the ministry and cooperating housing agencies in the city found him an apartment in East Durham. He is looking for a job.

He will be using a recipe from the Internet with his own variations, he said this week. He learned to cook by watching some good ones at work. In addition to his work as a chef and sous chef, he worked the river boats for a while when he was living in Cajun country.

Panama, who came to Durham about five years ago, lived in his car for months, parking it for a while in the parking lot at Urban Ministries. Before he became homeless, he worked in the trucking industry, but injured his back and was forced to stop work. Right now, he is waiting through the long application and appeal process for disability support.

Rhoton is from Durham and has been homeless and disabled for 10 years. He has worked for McDonald's and in restaurants in Florida, he said. He used to live in the woods community near New Hope Commons, but now has an apartment.

Francine, in her early 30s, is one of the youngest members of the woods community. She and her fiance came to Durham a year ago. They heard that the Bull City had medical help available to homeless people.

"I'm from Georgia and we could not get medical help there," she said. She has found the help she needed at the Lincoln Health Center.

Her cooking for the community in the woods is a variation on the "Stone Soup" story.

"I take whatever we have. Maybe some leftover sausage, throw it in the pot with potatoes and onions, add a little cheese and some Mrs. Bass seasoning. Everybody contributes what they have and before you know it, you've got a meal out of nothing but a few leftovers," she said.

Francine learned to cook by watching others while working in a restaurant. These days she is unable to hold a fulltime job, however. She has medical issues that make it impossible for her to stand more than an hour or so at one time.

On the night of the fundraiser, she will cut up the meat for the jambalaya, chop vegetables, make tea and help serve, she said.

"This is a way of giving back to people who have given so much to help us."

Schuldt said members of this community have interesting stories to tell about their lives in the woods and their journeys around the country.

"Stories about their jobs, their accomplishments, their struggles, successes and failures. They are strong, resilient people, who live with joy and good humor, but separately and invisibly, except when they 'fly a sign' by the side of the road," she said.

Individuals in this homeless community make their living panhandling in the area around New Hope Commons. They meet for lunch every Wednesday at noon and hold occasional worship services on the service road between New Hope Commons and U.S. 15-501. Visitors to their services are welcome.

Schuldt said that Open Table has no regular source of funding. A grant from the Duke Endowment that paid the salary of the director ended in June. The ministry depends on volunteers from area churches, like Resurrection United Methodist, three congregations in the Rougemont Charge, Duke's Chapel United Methodist, the congregation at Duke University Chapel and the Chapel Hill Mennonite Fellowship. Most of these provide food for the lunches on Wednesdays.

Schuldt, who can be reached at 919-412-7011, said that monetary contributions come primarily from individuals. A significant gift from an anonymous donor has helped pick up the slack since the Duke Endowment grant ended. The ministry budget pays the director, picks up rent for temporary housing, and provides necessities like sleeping bags and tents for those who live in the woods.

Vacation Bible School has swamp theme

Vacation Bible School is set for Monday, July 20, through Thursday, July 23, at Advent Lutheran Church, 230 Erwin Road.

The theme is "Crocodile Dock: Where Fearless Kids Shine God's Light." Kids will join a Bayou Crew to visit the Sing & Play Swamp Stomp, Bible Bayou, Dockside Drive-In, Gator Games, Crawfish Crafts and Firefly Finale.

All kids ages 5-14 are invited each day from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Game Show VBS scheduled at church

Children ages 3-12 are invited to "Studio Go! Game Show VBS" at New Salem Church, 2030 Old Graham Road, Pittsboro, Wednesday through Friday, July 15-17 from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Supper will be served each day at 6 p.m. after which participants will take part in a real game show, experience God's word in the Bible Challenge and explore God's word through crafts and games.

Graduation will be at noon on Saturday, July 18. Parents and friends are invited to join in the celebration.

For more information and to register, call the church at 542-4832 or email to blessed360@embarqmail.com.

Please let us know what's going on in your church or faith group, so we can share your news with our readers. E-mail news and announcements to Flo Johnston at fjohnston3@nc.rr.com.