Congregational Church Hosting Annual Mississippi BBQ and Shrimp Boil

Saturday, October 22, 2022, doors open 5:30 pm; dinner served 6:00 pm

Newtown Congregational Church

14 West Street

Newtown, CT 06470

Reservations: https://rebrand.ly/22bbq, 203-449-6528 or 734-645-6909

On Saturday, October 22, 2022, Newtown Congregational Church (UCC) will again host its popular Mississippi BBQ and Shrimp Boil dinner to benefit Back Bay Mission in Biloxi, Mississippi. Doors open at 5:30 pm and the bountiful buffet-style meal will be served for indoor dining at 6:00 pm. The meal features a “low-country boil” with shrimp, sausage, and potatoes; Larry Whippies’ famous BBQ chicken; salad; roll; and dessert. Choice of beverage is also included for dine-in guests. The cost is $25 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under. A limited number of prepaid take-out orders can be picked up at 6:00 pm. Reservations are encouraged via https://rebrand.ly/22bbq, 203-449-6528 or 734-645-6909. Directions for prepayment using a credit card will be provided. Dine-in guests may also pay with cash or check at the door.

The church and its Back Bay Adult Work Team have lots of reasons to be excited this year. First, after transforming the usual indoor fundraiser to a sold-out “drive-through only” event in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-19, the team looks forward to welcoming an enthusiastic and hungry crowd of church and townsfolk for inside dining. The team is also excited to return to Biloxi to work this February after a 2-year Covid hiatus. As volunteers, they’ll be helping with housing rehabilitation, new home construction, and some client services such as food distribution, laundry and showers.

Far from least, everyone is excited to celebrate Back Bay Mission’s 100th anniversary and its plans for the future. Over its 100 years, Back Bay Mission has responded to the needs of Gulf Coast immigrants and migrants, those living in poverty, and those who are unsheltered. In the early days, Back Bay provided food, shelter, medical care, and education for impoverished workers in the burgeoning gulf coast seafood industry. In the 1960s Back Bay took an active role in advocating for civil rights and integration. Disastrous hurricanes like Katrina prompted the current focus on housing rehabilitation and accessibility. As Back Bay looks forward it plans to renovate current facilities, accelerate services including mental health support and temporary housing, and to continue its work to strengthen neighborhoods, seek justice, and transform lives. Read more about this United Church of Christ outreach at https://thebackbaymission.org/. Donations to the worthy cause are welcome.