First Church Bedford Hosts West Virginia Mission Festival

Bedford’s First Church of Christ is bringing a little bit of Appalachia to town with toe-tapping folk music, a pulled-pork supper, free kids activities, and an old-fashioned Cake Walk -- and it’s all for a good cause!

The fourth annual West Virginia Mission Festival will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, March 28, at First Church, 25 Great Road, in Bedford. In addition to live Appalachian folk music by Tim & Maggie, and a Southern-style buffet dinner (included with admission), the celebration will also feature a silent auction, and a variety of arts and crafts, and baked goods for sale.

A free-will offering will be collected at the door to support the First Church West Virginia Mission Project, with a suggested donation of $15 per person or $40 per family. First Church will donate 100 percent of the proceeds from this event to fund its on-going humanitarian mission work in West Virginia.

For six years, the church’s West Virginia Mission Project has helped fight poverty in Appalachia by supporting nonprofit organizations in and around Princeton, in one of the poorest counties in southeast West Virginia. These groups are dedicated to making home repairs for local residents, providing after-school children’s programs, and hosting arts activities for at-risk youth.

The highlight of this year’s Mission Festival is the music of Tim & Maggie. This popular duo from Athens, W.Va., has spent decades studying and performing early American/Appalachian music, including tunes from England, France, Ireland and Scotland. They play various instruments, including banjo, guitar, flutes, spoons and bones. Tim & Maggie will perform two musical sets, from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m., and 7 to 7:45 p.m.

A delicious dinner buffet (included with admission) – featuring smoked pulled pork, slaw, sides and dessert - will be served from 5 to 8 p.m. There will also be a variety of activities for children, as well as a Cake Walk – think musical chairs with cake! – plus a Cupcake Walk for the kids. Local arts and crafts, baked goods, sweets and savories will also be for sale.

The entire community is invited to the 2020 West Virginia Mission Fest to sample the fine cooking of our First Church chefs and enjoy some lively Appalachian folk music. This benefit will help bring hope and optimism to a naturally beautiful part of the United States with deep and distinctive cultural roots. For further information, please visit: firstchurchbedford.wordpress.com or call 781-275-7951.

First Church of Christ Congregational in Bedford, Mass., is a member congregation of the United Church of Christ. We welcome all, grow in faith, and joyfully serve.