SPRINGDALE, AR — The Kitchen and Hospitality Subcommittee of Calvary Community Church announced Sunday that it has reached a unanimous decision on a replacement coffee maker, concluding an 18-month discernment process that outlasted two associate pastors and a building renovation.

The committee, which was formally constituted in September 2024 following the death of the original Bunn commercial brewer, held six quarterly meetings, commissioned a congregational survey with a 4% response rate, and rejected two proposals on grounds that the machines were “a little fancy.” A third motion to simply purchase the replacement immediately was tabled in February 2025 after a member requested additional time to pray about it.

“We didn’t want to rush something this important,” said committee chair Donna Whitfield, 67, who has served in the role since the Carter administration. “Coffee is how people feel welcomed. Or unwelcomed. We’ve seen both.”

“After extensive review, we selected the Bunn VPR series — which is, yes, the same unit we had before, but this time it was a group decision.”

The approved model, a Bunn VPR 12-cup brewer retailing for $139, was ordered Monday morning. Congregants who have been bringing coffee from home since October 2024 were notified via the Wednesday e-newsletter under the subject line “EXCITING KITCHEN UPDATE.”

Member Gerald Foss, 71, called the outcome a testament to the committee process. “When you slow down and seek the Lord on these things, you usually end up right where you started — but with more peace about it,” he said.

At press time, the committee had agreed to reconvene in April to begin discussions about filters.