By ANDREW MENTOCK

Edwardsburg Argus contributor

EDWARDSBURG — Edwardsburg community members are invited to an event at Hope United Methodist Church that should warm them up and appease their appetites.

On Jan. 14, the church will host a soup cook-off after Sunday morning services, from noon to 2 p.m. The event is free to attend. Anyone who wants to enter the friendly competition must prepare a homemade soup to be judged by the event attendees. However, bringing soup is not a requirement to attend.

“This is just a fun winter gathering event. It’s not a fundraiser,” Pastor Scott Otis said. “Anyone can bring soup and everybody will sample them and decide which one is the best.”

The cook-off is open to all members of the community, not just members of Hope.

“I suspect we’ll have some chicken noodle soup, undoubtedly some chili, probably some vegetable and bean soup — those kinds of things,” Otis said. “Somebody will probably bring something gourmet because somebody always wants to do that.”

All soups are eligible for the competition. However, given the recent frigid temperatures, cold soups are not advised.

Otis and his family plan to enter the competition as well, though he is not yet sure what type of soup he will prepare. But that is OK. Serious preparation is not necessary. The competition is for cooks of all skill levels.

“I certainly don’t consider myself a culinary genius,” Otis said.

For anyone who is in the giving spirit, the church community will also be putting together its “Winter Goodie Bags” on that afternoon. Anyone who would like to help with this community outreach project should arrive early. Otis emphasized that participation in this is not required nor expected of those attending the cook-off.

To RSVP to the soup cook-off, visit the church’s Facebook page. However, registration is not required and walk-ins are welcome.

For more details regarding either event, contact Hope in Edwardsburg at (269) 663-5321. The church’s office hours are 8:30 am to 2 p.m., Monday-Thursday.

“Come on out, enjoy soup and get warmed up,” Otis said. “Enjoy the get-together. It will be a good time to connect with your friends and neighbors and make new friends.”