Dearly Beloved,
Well, I managed to get this out to you all much later than I had intended. I seemed to forget that yesterday was Wednesday, but remember that today was Thursday. Wry smile. Some weeks run like that. Thanks for your graciousness and patience.
The good news is that, having not written this prior to Wednesday, I can share with you what a wonderful gift our third Wednesday Supper Socials are! I felt so fortunate to be able to go with both Cora and Ezra yesterday. Our normal Wednesday routine is to go to the Chilson Pool where we meet up with one of Cora's friends from school and splash around for an hour or so. It was lovely to climb out of the pool, dry ourselves off (barely) and make our way the short distance over to church. Frank and Mary Kauffman were outside the north door (in the parking lot) grilling burgers, brats and hot dogs.
As we made our way inside, Cora and Ezra, who'd been ready to tear through the basement to the nursery, came to an abrupt stop as they caught voices -- there were people down there! I watched them peer slowly around the side of the wall to see who it was. Karen Jazowski got eyes on them and then it became a game -- hide and seek! Complete with copious giggles.
I'm never sure who I will get to see and visit with at these Wednesday Supper Socials -- there are some regulars (I don't think Ezra, Cora, and I quite count -- sometimes it's a little much and a little late for my two). But yesterday I was surprised (and delighted!) to see so many people including Emma and Chloe Ogle (what a treat to see them home from college!).
These meals are communion at their best -- nourishing food and usually far more than enough for everyone. Conversation and connection with people we know and love well and also with people we are just getting to know. Time to show up in our fullness -- I'm more parent than pastor at these when I am lucky enough to get to bring my kiddos along (all parents of small children know that there are few more full-on parenting times than meals). There's something beautiful about being able to show up just as we are, to break bread together, to talk and laugh. No wonder Jesus did it so much. No wonder that's one of the most concrete ways that we remember him -- with food, telling the story of him breaking bread with his friends. No wonder we speak of God's table of welcome. No wonder food shows up so many times in scripture. No wonder churches love to eat! And ours is no exception.
If you haven't been to one of these supper socials, I encourage you to attend one. Bring a friend. Why not two? The food is always good and bountiful. The company couldn't be better. And the welcome is so very wide. In other words, it feels like church and it tastes like God's grace. What could be better?
I look forward to seeing you on Sunday -- we'll be talking about food and sabbath rules. And, of course, rest.
Feeling full and holding you in love,
Thandiwe
