Why a pig roast?

In 2009, the Men’s Group of Grace Episcopal Church was reinvented under John Mahler. He was our unofficial leader and inspiration — someone who always wanted to DO something and HELP someone, and not just talk about things. He wanted the group to have a mission and a purpose, and his first big idea was holding a summer pig roast.

We asked, “How do you cook a pig?” “Where do you get a pig?” He told us not to worry — he had done this before and would lead us along the way. The first pig roast was a huge success and became an annual tradition that has allowed Grace to bring together adults, children, teens, and local families who have no connection with our church for a fun, family-oriented summer event.

Following the success of the pig roast, the Men’s Group took on other projects — a Mother’s Day brunch, spaghetti dinners to raise money for the youth group, periodic game nights, and preparing and selling food for the church bazaar held each December. John even recruited many of the men to help in the community garden he started at the elementary school where he taught.

John and the entire Mahler family were and continue to be special members of the Grace family. Sadly, the 2013 pig roast was John’s last. The Men’s Group continues this tradition in his memory.