“Westminster wants to be a church home for those attending the Assembly,” said Melanie McCall, the congregation’s coordinator for fellowship, events and communications, “and one thing that you can get at home is good food.”

Because a small portion of the $10 breakfast cost will benefit the Groveland Emergency Food Shelf – an assistance program serving people in south Minneapolis near downtown – McCall hopes that people will come “to feed both their tummies and their souls while helping to fill someone else’s tummy.”

McCall, who has oversight of the more than 100 events and programs offered by the church throughout the assembly, has recruited more than 365 volunteers to “make it all happen.” She said that the concept for the Calvin Café was inspired by Westminster’s downtown neighbor, Central Lutheran Church, which had a similar arrangement during the 2009 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America held at the convention center last August.

“It just felt like the right program for us to express our overarching desire to offer hospitality and to be welcoming to everyone at General Assembly,” said McCall.

A full, hot breakfast will be available from 7 to 8:30 a.m. Monday through Friday, for $10, payable at the door. Box lunches, with meat and vegetarian options, may be picked up from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church by those who pre-ordered tickets, or purchased at the door for $10 on a first come, first serve basis. 

Meals may be enjoyed either in Westminster’s Great Hall or in the church’s courtyard. Lunch guests are also encouraged to stay for Westminster’s “12:30 Breakaway!” – free, daily half-hour concerts open to the community. For a complete program listing, visit the church’s website.