St. John UCC’s “Bowls of Goodness” Returns With Warmth and Lots of Great Flavor

GraniteCityGossip.com, February 22, 2026

St. John United Church of Christ welcomed neighbors from across the area yesterday, February 21, for its 4th Annual Bowls of Goodness event, filling the fellowship hall with the unmistakable aroma of simmering soups, hearty chilis, and the kind of laughter that only happens when people gather around good food for a good cause.

Crockpots and stock pots were lined up, each one carrying a story, a family recipe, a church tradition, or a new creation someone hoped might surprise the crowd. Guests moved from table to table with tasting cups in hand, sampling everything from classic homemade soups to bold, spicy chilis that drew appreciative nods and a few playful warnings. Plenty of homemade desserts topped off the tasting event.

Volunteers kept the atmosphere warm and welcoming, offering refills, sharing recipes, and making sure no one left hungry. Folks darted between tables with the energy only a community event can spark, while longtime members caught up with familiar faces they hadn’t seen since last year’s gathering.

Celebrating This Year’s Winners
After the final votes were tallied, the church announced the champions of this year’s cook‑off. The winners are… drum roll, please!

Best Soup went to Nina Jackson, whose Soup #8, a hearty vegetable beef, won over the crowd.

Best Chili was awarded to Jeremy D. Haston for Chili #1, a bold and flavorful Tex‑Mex creation that clearly struck the right chord with tasters.

St. John UCC also extended heartfelt thanks to all who entered their homemade masterpieces.

Chili participants: Donna Brandes, Mary Jo Seibold, Donna Cramer, Jim Watson and Jeremy Haston

Soup participants: Nancy Jacobs, Nina Jackson, Karen Gaines, Corey Fischer and Conyr Fischer

Their generosity and creativity filled the room with an incredible variety of flavors and made voting deliciously difficult.

The event wasn’t just about food. It was about connection. Bowls of Goodness has become one of those rare traditions that blends comfort and purpose, reminding everyone who attends that community is built one shared meal at a time.

As the afternoon wrapped up, organizers expressed gratitude for the cooks, the tasters, and the volunteers who make the event possible year after year. With another successful gathering behind them, St. John UCC once again proved that a simple bowl of soup can bring people together in the most meaningful ways.

All photos courtesy of St. John UCC