As we did last year, we again gathered this year during Lent for an evening meal
fellowship on Wednesday nights. Not very creatively named “Table Church.”
Simple and it’s what we do. We gather at 6 with the idea of “bring a munchie,
bring a friend.” To gather for the meal, fellowship, discussion and prayer all
shared around the table. Last year we had 6 people the first week but had 20 by
the end of Lent. And we talked about continuing a mid-week evening gathering
but for slot of reasons we never really got there. This year we again gathered
during Lent and our focus was prayer.
We
gather and use an opening litany that is in some ways informed by the practice
of St Lydia’s in New York, but is clearly our version. Each week I move tables
into the shape of a cross and put out simple fabric table covers. Some are
things I have found in our church where nothing was ever thrown away. Some came
from the fabric wholesaler where one of our participants works. And I also have
some mirror tiles upon which we will place tealight candles. There is a cross
in the center and bread on the table. As I am setting the space I pray for the
gathering and those who have been coming, and those the Spirit may decide in
her wisdom to send.
As
people come, some of those present hand out candles, or copies of our one page
worship guide. We gather to change our hearts and minds and to recognize God’s
presence and we admit those times we’ve been too busy or self focused to be who
God desires. Sometimes we sing. Sometimes we don’t. But then we bless our bread
and share the body of Christ. And we have a wine steward and grape juice
steward who serve after which we bless our drink as the blood of Christ for us.
Then we eat! Some weeks we have way too much food. Some weeks we have just
enough. And we have to remember that the really tasty thing we ate must wait
until everyone else had a chance.
That can be hard. Because unlike last year when our table
mates were pretty much our insiders, this year, our table mates are a lot of
kids and new faces from the neighborhood. And some are here for a week, some
for the long haul. And some are really hungry, others have a sense of food
insecurity. And life insecurity. And some people are lonely and hungry for
people time.
Over the weeks of Lent I focused our time around prayer
having just read the book “Help, Thanks, Wow” by Anne Lamott. For an
intergenerational gathering where people come from many levels of connection to
faith, it seemed that demystifying what we call one of the Lenten disciplines
could help all of us.
Each week I read a snippet from Anne’s book and offered a
little reflection and then we broke into groups. Those who wanted to do an
interactive thing, and those who wanted to chat. Our interactive time would be spent
in an arty way. One week when we talked about how we ask God for help, I talked
about how hard it can be to then let go of our worry and let God handle it. We
made God boxes. Cigar boxes decorated with tissue paper, or decals, glitter,
paint-whatever spoke to you. And we talked about putting our prayers in the
box. The kids had a great time and a couple weeks later a couple told me they
are really using them. J
The week we talked about thanks we then dipped fingers in
water and made the sign of the cross on our neighbor telling him or her “ you
are a child of God.”
The week we talked about “wow!” a couple people brought
things to share that showed their “wow” and their art taught us.
The next week we made Busted Crosses. Hollowed out wooden
cross forms that people could decorate with markers and then hot glue
repurposed stain glass pieces and shattered CD pieces and make a sort of
mosaic. We talked about how though we can feel broken, God makes us a new
creation in the cross. And even though we may not think it is possible,
beautiful things happen. In us.
During Holy Week we put together the items for personal care
kits for Lutheran World Relief that the congregation gathered. Our goal had
been 12 but we made 28 and have other supplies to share with those in need
here. Including some of our own. And we thought about what it means to say
Amen-may it be so-to our prayers.
All of our interactive things show that no matter how old
our hands are, they can work and teach together.
The other part of each week was to close with prayer. First
we wrote our prayers and I prayed them. Then we wrote our prayers and each
person prayed their own. Then we tried just saying our prayers out loud around
the table and letting the next person know it was their turn. I have begun
gathering the written prayers if people allow and have turned a bulletin board
by our tables into a prayer wall. Other people in the church are starting to
notice it.
There is a chaotic-ness but also a grace. And at the end of
Lent I was curious as to who was coming because it was Lent, and who came
because it was Wednesday, and who wanted to keep coming. Of the 24 there, half
said they wanted to go on. So we did. And I expected about 12 last nite. But I
put out a new sign “Candy Gone? Christ is still risen-meal prayer 6:00” Then I
watched.
The kids and young adults and our other neighbors came and
we had 26! I actually worried about food but it worked out. I had decided we
would talk about those early Christians and the challenge of making disciples.
Of getting beyond fear. But really instead, while I ended up saying that, I
talked about growing pains. People of all kinds having to find a way to get
together and share and learn and build relationships. As literally, people were elbow to elbow, and
we had added an extra table, and one girl was getting hung up on the table
cloth and every time she got up her friends were telling her to stop pulling
their stuff away. And someone else discovered that all the meat stuff had pork
and he doesn’t like pork, and someone took that deviled egg you wanted, and why
are we out of juice and now there is only water? And I wanted to light the
candles…and we could chuckle and see ourselves in the book of Acts or in those
famous words in Corinthians.
And some of us worked at planting a tomato planter with one
of our people who is a retired horticulturalist. And we talked about tending a
small area where we hope to grow a little of our own food. Others played “Two
truths and a lie” and shared what they learned about each other. And we prayed
and got a sweet treat or leftover Easter candy for the road.
And in the end as people are making sure we have it next
week, which makes my heart smile, I wonder. Just what is God up to? And I am
not sure I need to know. I just need to keep praying and showing up. And
whether it is here for a season or good, it is what God wants.
But next week,
God, can you send some chicken? I know a few people are praying for that, at
least inside.
