CityView Magazine

CityViewNC.com | 11 Photos by Cindy Burnham Photos contributed Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church 614 Oakridge Ave., 910-484-2010, Faygreekchurch.com Most people know the large Greek church through its annual Greek Festival and the World's Largest Spaghetti dinner. The Greek Festival, held every September, has live music, dancing, vendors and, of course, delicious Greek food. This past year was scaled back, leaving off the full menu and live music for a "Greek Grab n' Go." But organizers were glad to bring the event back after not being able to host it in 2020. The World's Largest Spaghetti dinner, held since 1958, features more than 4,000 pounds of dry spaghetti, 900 gallons of sauce and over 100 volunteers along with tables of Greek pastries. If food is the way to the heart, the community feels the love from this church annually. All of the church fundraisers benefit local charities and organizations such as the Red Cross, the Second Harvest Food Bank, the Autism Society and the Vision Resource Center. This year, the church is adding a Greek cuisine and comedy night. It will include a five-course dinner prepared by Chef Peter Minaki and entertainment by Greek-American comedian Basile on May 1 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Courses will be paired with five Greek wines. Miniaki has authored several cookbooks, including "Everything Mediterranean,'' and is considered one of Canada's premier Greek food and wine experts. Seats are $100 per person and tables can be reserved until April 20. A girls' night cooking demo will take place April 28 with Minaki. The cost is $40 per person, and seating is limited. To make a reservation, call 801-915-0098. Most church members also belong to AHEPA, a Hellenic nonprofit organization that hosts events like the annual Athena Night at the church to raise money for college scholarships. First Presbyterian Church 102 Ann St., 910-483-0121 , Firstprez.com First Presbyterian Church supports the community through several initiatives. Its "Serve and Share" campaign provides opportunities for church members to support local mission partners, including Fayetteville Urban Ministry, Operation Inasmuch, Connections of Cumberland County, the Care Clinic, Better Health, Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity and the B Street Coalition. Outside the community, members have traveled to Mexico to help build churches and schools and to Haiti to provide medical assistance. It also helps with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance relief efforts worldwide. Since 2010, the church has packaged more than 830,000 meals for Rise Against Hunger with a goal to surpass a million. Around 60 to 70 members measure ingredients to vacuum seal meals for those in need. The Rise Against Hunger event starts the annual Mission Conference week at the church with local speakers and fundraisers. The Presbyterian Woman adopt a local agency each month to collect items for, including Second Harvest Food Bank and Operation Blessing. The children's ministry is also involved in initiatives that include collecting new and gently used coats for the winter coat drive, hosting backpack buddies for students at T.C. Berrien Elementary School, collecting cleaning supplies and hygiene kits for Operation Inasmuch and Connections of Cumberland County and raising money to send Bibles written in Haitian Creole to Haiti.

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