Whether it is has been 30, 40, 50 or even more than 60 years, members from the Church of the Holy Trinity, Episcopal have been participating in the long standing tradition of volunteering at the church’s annual Turkey Dinner and bake sale— a fundraiser that is sponsored by the Episcopal Church Women.

“I started when my mother forced me to come here when I was about 12, which was about 68 years ago,” church member Lee Davis Thames said. “I did grunt work or what ever Mama told me to do.”

Thames’ wife, Jane said she has been volunteering at the dinner for 50 years, and

Bobbie Marascalco said she has worked at the dinner for close to 40 years.

Logan Peay and Josephine Peterson have been volunteering for more than 30 years, they said, and all are set to volunteer again at this year’s Turkey Dinner, which is set to run from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17.

Holy Trinity’s Turkey Dinner has a rich history in the community, and although the church members said they had seen some changes throughout the years, there are some things, which have remained the same.

The people from downtown have always come and supported the event and enjoyed the good food. Businesses have been generous in buying tickets and their employees have always come to sit around the table to enjoy the fellowship, Thames said.

“That’s a gift I think that everybody who comes, receives,” he said.

The meal will be served in McInnis Parish Hall, 900 South St. and will include turkey, dressing, green beans, cranberry salad, a roll and dessert.

Tickets are $10 and are available by calling 601-636-0542. Take-outs will also be available.

The Holy Trinity Turkey Dinner’s tradition has not just served as a means to bring the community together, it also brings together members of the church.

“I love to see how everybody comes together. Everybody doesn’t go to church every single Sunday, so it’s a good opportunity that people come and they are involved, and they’re happy and everybody is working together for a good thing. It’s a good time even though you are working hard and are worn out at the end of the day,” Marascalco said.

Peay said proceeds from the fundraiser are used to support projects at the church and outreach ministries.

Some of this year’s funds will go towards a church cookbook.

“The ECW will be publishing a Holy Trinity cookbook,” Marascalco said, which will be released in 2019, in recognition of the church’s 150th anniversary.

Marascalco said, not only will the cookbook include recipes belonging to church members, it will also be filled with photographs, stories and the history of the church.