BYOC (chair)

Build a longer table - the task given to those who have more fortune than others. The image above is a sister church in Pittsboro (TLC) hosting a community meal, and I think it captures this phrase well. The full phrase is attributed to an unknown author, which is unfortunate because I would love to read more about what this person had to say. Our world could really use motives like this today. But I’ll move on from the complaining quickly to acknowledge: just because we don’t know who said it, doesn’t mean we don’t know what it means. So why not practice it?

A few weeks ago I met Sue who started the Baby Pantry at Zebulon UMC. She showed me how this ministry pulls together resources to help families with baby-care supplies that are often expensive and difficult to access. They also invite the families to a community meal once a month. This is taking Jesus seriously when he said, “let the little children come to me!” I love it!

A week ago I met Mrs. Cherry, the social worker at Beaverdam Elementary. She and I chatted for a while about all the different needs of the students and families at the school. The school is able to provide a free breakfast and lunch to every student that attends during the week, which is a huge blessing to so many families. They even have a pantry with food items for students who might need support on weekends. Jesus said, “You give them something to eat,” and they are. Amazing!

There’s already some good tables in our community. So here’s what I’m wondering… how can we at KUMC help extend the tables of love in our community? Because we’re full of fortune. We have you and a grant from the conference to extend Jesus’ table of love. Will we bring the baby pantry into Knightdale for the sake of our neighbors? Or will we extend our own thanksgiving tables to the families of Beaverdam Elementary this year? Or maybe some combination of both! I’d love for you to take these thoughts into your own prayers this week. Wonder with me.

Will you pray with me?

There is plenty to complain about. Plenty to fight against in our world today. It is a good and joyful thing to stand in the way of injustice happening in our communities and to our neighbors. And while that is happening we should create new practices of justice to replace the systems that aren’t working. So join me in prayer and action:

God of justice,

you have created a world with an abundance of food, safety, joy, rest, and life.

You intend for every part of creation to flourish without taking from another.

So help us tear down the tall fences we have created in the name of safety but the spirit of greed.

Help us open our tables to others so that both they and we may experience true abundant life.

In the name of Jesus - the way, the truth, and the life.

Amen.

“Listening is the first act of loving.”

Steph