Breakfast for Supper: Winder FUMC's beloved Ham and Egg Supper returns Nov. 1

With a much larger space at the Fellowship Hall, the supper’s popularity soared over the years, with the largest crowd reaching 1,500 attendees. The event transcends denominational lines as Winder FUMC invites members of all churches in the area to the event each year, making it a cornerstone of the community’s social calendar.

The supper is a true Southern feast. This year, church members will be preparing 2,000 homemade biscuits, 330 dozen eggs, 375 pounds of country-cured and city-cured ham and 35 pounds of grits, according to Victoria Patrick, co-chair of the event.

One of the culinary highlights is Dr. Robert Stansell’s famous red-eye gravy, a recipe that’s remained a cherished tradition at the supper.

“Watching the ladies making biscuits, men grilling ham, washing grit pot after grit pot, the line of people meeting and greeting as they awaited their turn, the smell of country ham and the taste of biscuits slathered with butter and muscadine jelly,” said Stansell, “is in sum the fellowship of working and dining together.”

For years, gallons of muscadine jelly were prepared by Reyno Petree, who passed away in 2018. This year, Todd McCain will make homemade jelly as he has for several years.

The supper returns this year after a three-year hiatus following the pandemic.

“This was one of the things I remember as a child and we wanted this to come back in full force and bring the community together,” said event co-chair Karen Garren.

“The sole purpose is not just the food, it’s the fellowship,” she said.

“Ham and Egg has been a historic reach into our community. Good food, good fellowship and a sense of pulling together for such a great event brings life to this congregation. I’m proud of our church laity and their work to bring Ham and Egg back to Winder FUMC and Barrow County,” said Dr. Rev. Geoffrey Murphy.

In the past, United Methodist Men and United Methodist Women groups split the proceeds from the event to fund scholarships for local kids. To reinforce the event’s commitment to the community, the church will give all of the event proceeds to the Boys and Girls Club of Winder-Barrow County this year.

“Winder FUMC has always aspired to be a community church, and the Ham & Egg Supper is a testament to that vision,” said church member Tina Murphy.

The supper will be held at the Fellowship Hall at Winder FUMC on Nov. 1. There’s an option for early birds to get takeout between 4:30-7 p.m. Those who prefer to dine in may do so from 5-7 p.m.