Members of the Swampscott Church of Spiritualism gather on the morning of the first Sunday each month – not to practice religion but to make sandwiches.

Carrying loaves of bread as well as jars of both peanut butter and jelly, the group gets right to work, assembling as many sandwiches as possible.

“We thought we would start with something simple,” said
Susan Post, president of the church’s board of trustees. “It’s turned into the loveliest thing that we do.”

Post said community outreach efforts have been an emphasis of the church community lately. Members purchase their own sandwich ingredients, which Post said doubles as a chance for the community to spend time together and share conversation.

The monthly sandwich making started in September of 2025 and continues to be an event members are excited to attend and help out with.

“It brings us joy to be together and know we are making a difference in the lives of our neighbors,” said Post.

The hour or so the group spends making sandwiches each month never feels like an obligation, she said. Instead, it provides an opportunity to give back while enjoying each other’s company.

“It feels good to contribute even in a small way,” said Post. “I think that’s the lesson. You don’t have to do something huge to make a difference. Every little bit matters.”

Each sandwich-making session concludes with members offering a blessing over the fresh batch before the sandwiches are donated to My Brother’s Table, a food pantry in Lynn.

Post said helping others reflects the principles church members strive to live by.

“You make your own happiness based on the way you live according to how you engage with the world,” Post said. “I would hope someone would help me if I were in need.”