Miracle Waters Worship Center was looking for a way to give back to the community.

Members considered many different ways of supporting the community from holding food drives to sponsoring families. That is when Tracy Wood, secretary for the church, stepped in and suggested the church think outside the box. From that concept sprang the idea for The Potter’s Plate.

Located in the church’s fellowship hall, The Potter’s Plate will provide a location for dinner and live entertainment from local groups. The first event will be Oct. 24 at 6 p.m. and will feature Willing Vessels, a gospel group, and a baked spaghetti dinner. Tickets for the event are $10 in advance or $12 at the door. Children 6 years of age and younger eat free.

“It’s an atmosphere they know they can bring their kids and relax,” said Wood. “It provides a place where you don’t have to worry about who you’re sitting next to or what’s being said. This is kind of a dream and it’s a start. Right now we’re doing it for the church and the community.”

One of the things Wood and Pastor Rodger Easter hope will draw people to the events is the fact that they do plan to use local talent as much as possible. The Kinders are booked for November, and Deborah Simmons and the Easter Brothers are booked for different dates in December. The Easter Brothers Christmas show will be Dec. 11 and Dec. 12.

“We’d like to use people who are local, the in-town gospel groups,” said Easter.

“There’s a lot of groups that just want to sing. Music is their ministry,” said Wood.

All of the proceeds from the event will then be put back into the church and in turn the community. They hope to use the money to keep The Potter’s Plate going, organize a youth rally, sponsor a family at Christmas or Thanksgiving and any other needs that they see.

“Everybody knows the Easter Brothers, that was my grandfather. But this is the church, this is us,” Wood said of the event. “We’re doing it for our church and our community, not just for another dollar.”

The building will seat about 120 people around the tables and Easter said if the event grows, which he hopes it will, they will make accommodations for even more people. The fellowship hall was an ideal location for the event because it sits empty for most of the week, he said.

“We’re shooting for having things two times a month. We can always crank it up for special occasions,” said Easter.

The food for the events will be different each time. Wood attended culinary school and is looking into once again having a cooking show.

“A lot of people have been excited about it,” said Wood of the upcoming event. “This would give them an evening of entertainment with food.”

For more information on The Potter’s Plate or to purchase tickets, contact 648-1460.

Contact Morgan Wall at mwall@mtairynews.com or 719-1929.