Romans looking for a little Christmas cheer and a free meal Friday will have a couple of options thanks to a local church and a pair of charity-minded citizens.

Connect Rome, which currently meets at 333 on Broad, will offer a free breakfast of pancakes, eggs and coffee on Christmas morning to anyone who wants it. Volunteers will begin serving food at The Nest, the church’s downtown coffee shop, at 334 Broad St., at about 7 a.m., said Pastor Josh Roberts.

“More than likely we will see a lot of homeless folks, and that’s great,” said Roberts, who explained that he wanted to provide for those people who might not have anywhere to go on Christmas morning.

The church had planned to have an outdoor service at a park in South Rome today, but the threat of rain canceled that event.

“I’m pretty bummed about it,” Roberts said.

Later Christmas Day, Angelis Smith and Cesily Farmer are offering a free lunch — including ham, rolls, deviled eggs, green beans, corn casserole, cake and sweet tea — to those in need. Food will be served while it lasts beginning at 11 a.m. at the Graham Homes Center, 141 E. 14th St.

The women mostly funded the meal out of pocket because they felt like there was a need for residents of East Rome. Smith said they sought donations but few came in, so they decided to host the meal on their own as a way to give back to the community.

The free lunch is intended for those who need it, but Smith said, “We’re not going to turn anyone away.”

Connect Rome, commonly referred to as “the church in a bar,” might soon be known as “the church in a mall” after their relocation to Mount Berry Square beginning Jan. 17.

“We’ll have our grand opening Jan. 17. We might start meeting there before then, but it’ll still be under construction,” said Roberts.

The church will make its new home in a 5,000-square-foot space formerly occupied by a Mexican restaurant next to the front entrance of Mount Berry Square. They’ll have an outdoor and an indoor entrance. The Nest will open in the space, and Roberts said Connect Rome could open a retail store there as well.

In the meantime the church will continue to meet at 333 on Broad, though there is no service planned this Sunday in order to give their volunteers time to spend with their families. Their next meeting is planned for Jan. 3.

The church, which previously met at McCrobie’s, isn’t leaving Downtown Rome altogether though, as Robert said they plan to have a meeting at a downtown location at least once a month. On those Sundays the church will offer two services, one at the mall and one downtown.

For more information visit www.connectrome.com.