The Calm in the Middle of the Storm

Peace Lutheran Church
Peace Community Center
TACOMA, WASHINGTON

Sister Ruby Williams grew up watching her father serve food in the family restaurant in Arkansas. She now puts that experience to work every night at Peace Community Center, where "Sister Ruby" supervises the feeding program Monday through Friday night in April and October.

“My mother runs the restaurant at home,” said Carvin, Sister Ruby’s son. “Mama's got the best restaurant on Sunday…fried chicken."

Sister Ruby first came to Peace Lutheran Church in 1983. The next year she started a feeding program there with the help of another woman at the church who also had a restaurant. At first the two women did all the cooking, but in 1986 they joined with New Covenant Pentecostal Church. Peace Lutheran Church hosts the program in April and October; New Covenant serves as host for the rest of the year. Churches from around Tacoma now provide meals and volunteers to serve, leaving Sister Ruby to supervise, greet, and keep everyone calm.

Sister Ruby is the calm in the middle of the storm. During a busy night at Peace Lutheran, she manages volunteers, overcomes obstacles, feeds her granddaughter, and greets people as they enter the church.
Consistently pointing to the fact that God is doing all the work at the feeding program, Sister Ruby remembers, especially when feeling frustrated or tired, "Well, Lord, you're still workin'!" Maybe this belief is the reason why Sister Ruby Williams can be that calm in the middle of the storm, and the reason why she can continue to serve her church and community night after night, month after month, year after year.