Story by Jordan Carrillo
First Lutheran Pastor Larry Sipe leads a prayer before the Waldorf Community Christmas Dinner is served.
With temperatures reaching the single digits on December 4, nothing felt more satisfying on a bitterly cold winter day than a cup of hot coffee and a stacked plate of warm grub. Despite a smaller than usual turnout, the annual Community Christmas Dinner at the Waldorf Community Center, hosted this year by the First Lutheran Church successfully emphasized community spirit during the holiday season.
The origins of this community meal are unknown–nobody seems to know when or why–but what is known is that the local churches in town, First Lutheran and St. Joseph, have been trading the hosting responsibilities for years with proceeds going toward admission programs for the respective church. This year, the ladies of First Lutheran Church, led by Marlys Nelson, served their community a classic Christmas-themed menu provided by Infinity Catering. A mouthwatering plate featured delicious turkey, savory stuffing, and rich gravy while decadent cheesecake and crispy salad were prepared on site, compliments of the First Lutheran Ladies themselves.
The atmosphere was festive with Christmas music and the Community Dinner welcomed some local VIPs as Mayor Wilkening, First Lutheran Pastor Larry Sipe, and Waseca County Sheriff Dulas attended and dined with their constituents. Just before the meal was served, Sipe led a small prayer to bless the meal and to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. As plates were stacked and bellies began to fill, the true meaning of this event revealed itself. Many locals took this time to regale about their grandchildren, what they did for Thanksgiving, and what gifts they plan to purchase for the upcoming holiday season.
Following the meal, Wilkening addressed the crowd with updates on several projects in Waldorf including new housing & agricultural businesses, plans for Waldorf Days in August 2026, renovations to the baseball field, and a recent demand to seek grants for a sewer line and playground equipment. Dulas followed with a public safety update for members of Waseca County: the department had responded to over 10,000 calls in 2025; the new Justice Center is “still in the early stages” with construction considered a “long way off”; the holiday season can bring great joy, but Dulas urged residents to remain vigilant about the increased volume of scam calls; the County is in talks to better ensure quick access to emergency services for rural Minnesota towns.
While attendance was lower this year for the Community Dinner with approximately 60 residents compared to over 90 last year, long-time coordinator Nelson noted the event’s primary purpose remains “filling hearts with a sense of community.” Though there was plenty of room for many more to attend this dinner, the laughs of longtime friends who did attend echoed in the halls, ensuring that this tradition may continue for years to come.
