Correspondent photo / Susan Wojnar Vicki Vicars, executive director of the Mahoning Valley Association of Churches, right, dishes up Limerick Potatoes, a traditional Irish dish made of potatoes, cabbage, beef and cheese, to Shelly Shelor of St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish in Warren at Thursday’s Taste of Faith event.

BOARDMAN — The aroma of homemade dishes and the sound of conversation filled the hall at St. Catherine of Siena Parish’s St. Charles Campus on Thursday as the Mahoning Valley Association of Churches hosted its annual Taste of Faith event. The evening celebration brought together congregations from across the Mahoning Valley to share traditional foods, fellowship and conversation in an atmosphere centered on unity and hospitality.

According to MVAC Executive Director Vicki Vicars, the annual gathering has long served as both a fundraiser and a bridge builder among area faith communities.

“Food has always been at the heart of how faith communities gather and welcome one another,” Vicars said. “The Taste of Faith is a beautiful reminder of how much we share across our traditions — and how much joy there is in coming to the table together.”

Vicars said the event began before her tenure with MVAC as a way to celebrate the Mahoning Valley’s tradition of church suppers and signature dishes.

“So many congregations in this community have a specialty,” she said. “It is a fun way to bring that all together in one event.”

Beyond the food, Vicars emphasized the importance of connection and understanding among different faith traditions.

“I hope first that they enjoy the food, all of the culinary delights prepared by our local congregations,” she said. “But more importantly, I hope that they meet someone new so that we can continue to build bridges between congregations and people of faith.”

She added that shared meals often create opportunities for healing and understanding.

He personally made the maple cookies available at the gathering, with homemade maple syrup from his parents’ maple trees in West Virginia. He also contributed the Mississippi stew sliders served up by his volunteers.

Brenda Antenucci said St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish in Warren brought a variety of foods deeply connected to parish traditions, including sausage and peppers, pierogies, kolachi and Easter bread.

She said the parish’s Italian sausage and sauce tradition is tied to their priest’s family heritage in the Warren and Niles area, while longtime parish volunteers continue to prepare traditional Eastern European baked goods together for fellowship and fundraising.

“It allows us time to gather and talk in a nonthreatening and loving atmosphere,” Antenucci said. “We learn more about other people, their congregations and our shared faith in God.”

For Cathy Pokrivnak, the event reflected the importance of ensuring everyone feels welcomed and valued.

Pokrivnak said Protestant Family Services partnered with Boardman Pizza Joe’s owner Mario LaMarca, who prepared several varieties of pizza for attendees to sample.

“It was important for our agency to be part of this event because we are a private faith-based agency with many area churches supporting us,” she said. “We promote bringing people together no matter what their faith.”

Having attended previous Taste of Faith gatherings, Pokrivnak described the event as consistently uplifting.

“Walking around the room for your dinner trying all the different foods has never been a disappointment,” she said.

Larry Bowald said Canfield Presbyterian Church contributed chili inspired by the congregation’s annual chili cookoff. Each January, church members compete for the church’s “golden bean” trophy, and the winning chili recipe is later featured at Taste of Faith.

Bowald said the event demonstrates how churches can counter division through fellowship.

“I think the churches coming together for a simple thing like sitting at table is a witness against the hatred, discord and condemnation that permeates other areas of our society,” he said.

He added that food has a unique ability to unite people from different backgrounds.

“Bringing people from differing neighborhoods and backgrounds together around food is always unifying,” Bowald said.

Pastor Jeanette Hubbard of St. Andrews AME Church in Youngstown said her congregation shared cabbage, hot water bread, and a steak, rice and broccoli dish rooted in Southern culinary traditions.

“Food is a universal language,” Hubbard said. “It is through the breaking and sharing of food that we foster and strengthen relationships.”

She described the Taste of Faith gathering as especially important in today’s climate.

“The message I hope people hear through this event is one of inclusivity, unity, togetherness, love and respect for one another,” Hubbard said. “We all are God’s children and celebrating our differences helps us to appreciate and honor our traditions, beliefs, histories and denominations.”

Throughout the evening, guests sampled dishes, exchanged stories and discovered traditions from congregations they may never have encountered before.

For many involved, the Taste of Faith represented more than a community dinner. It was a reminder that despite differences in worship styles, backgrounds and traditions, the Mahoning Valley’s faith communities continue to find common ground around the table.

“Food is universal,” Vicars said. “Shared meals can be sacred moments of connection, healing and simply nourishing one another.”

Congregations from throughout the Valley contributed dishes reflecting family traditions, cultural heritage and church fellowship.

Rev. Payne Warner of Youngstown First Presbyterian Church said his congregation values opportunities to engage with the wider community.

“Our congregation feels that our call to ministry is to serve and be active in our community,” Warner said. “Fellowship is what builds a community. If we don’t build it, community doesn’t exist.”

Warner said events like Taste of Faith provide a simple but meaningful starting point for deeper relationships.

“Sitting with each other, sharing a meal, and learning about others makes it easier to do the harder tasks of community with each other later,” he said.

He added that hospitality and shared meals remind people of their common humanity.

“These events hopefully make it easier to see both the shared humanity in each of us, as well as the shared image of God in each of us,” Warner said.