"Martha, dear Martha, you're fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it—it's the main course, and won't be taken from her." (Luke 10:41-42, The Message version).Jesus was regularly seen practicing the spiritual discipline of hanging out, offering his full attention to the one he was with, and he was always (lovingly? impatiently?) inviting others to do the same. So we took some time this month at The Supper, after reading the above scripture, to be present to one another, listening to the stories of people who were once strangers and honoring them by simply being with them.
Based on an exercise learned from colleauges at the McMinnville Cooperative, folks were paired up and invited to share 3 things during a 10-minute period: 1) their life stories, 2) where they see God present in their lives or in the world, and 3) how they are feeling called to respond to God, whether as an individual or as a community. After the first round, we switched partners and the talkers were now the listeners and the listeners the talkers.
A sharing time after the exercise revealed that the experience had been challenging in some ways but very meaningful for folks. One participant who is from Mexico felt that it was important for recent immigrants to gain confidence in sharing their stories and to experience being heard.
Another Spanish-speaker considered how difficult it can be to stay in the present moment and offered an interesting reflection on the habit of worrying. In Spanish, to worry is "preocuparse"--to pre-occupy. So worrying means occupying a space that has not yet arrived and, therefore, to miss out on the present moment. When we are present, we are trying to pay attention to where Jesus is in the this moment. How might God be inviting us to see Jesus in the silence, in the grass under our feet, in the faces in front of us--whatever is happening, whomever is there in this moment? What is essential is paying attention.
Another opportunity we had that evening to pay attention to the goodness around us came when it was time to eat the deep-fried, cheesy goodness of Eliser's empanadas...
....made by these lovely folks:
Eric enjoyed coloring and chocolate cake and the kids' table.
And here is a happy photo taken by our kinder buddy:
Where in your life are you feeling a tug to be more present? Maybe you can start with some tasty food and really pay attention to how good it is! And then invite someone to share it with you.
As we gathered, older folks and youngsters sat together to fold paper flowers, paint with watercolors and braid friendship bracelets, then we all moved into the sanctuary for silly icebreakers that were successful in getting folks talking to one another. An invitation was extended before dinner for people to sit by someone they didn't yet know well and questions on the tables encouraged conversation. The FGUMC youth group did most of the cooking and boy did we eat well! After dinner on the first and third day, teams went out into the neighborhood to ask for, and then collect, food for the two food pantries in Cornelius and Forest Grove that our UMCs support. Each evening closed with a campfire time on the church lawn when several of our talented guitarists led us in song and a scripture reading and silly skit guided Eric in sharing the message for that evening. As we closed on the final day, one youngster asked me, "So are we coming back tomorrow?" Sadly, we wouldn't be, but I gave thanks that the experience had been a great one for him. I think it was for all of us!
