Talking Courage at The Supper

The young among us were a gift at our last Supper. Once the chili bowls were scraped clean, the youth headed outside to carve and the kiddos went to a covered indoor area where they were given markers instead of knives. :)

The older folks read together about Jesus contemplating what lay ahead as he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, then watched this clip from the excellent movie Stranger Than Fiction. In the movie, Harold learns that not only is his life being narrated by a fiction author, but that author is about to kill him off. When he finally gets hold of the manuscript, he can't bear to read the end, so his professor friend, played by Dustin Hoffman, does, then gives Harold the bad news that Harold indeed must die.

Both Jesus and Harold (Will Farrell's character) are facing death and both are questioning whether there might be an easier way, a way out. Will they choose to courageously move forward and fulfill their part in the Story? We know what Jesus does, but I'll let you watch the movie if you haven't seen it yet (it's good!).

Around the table, folks shared, in English and Spanish, about what they are facing in life and where they would like to have more courage. We took time to encourage one another. In other words, we saught to give each other courage as we face life. And I can't speak for everyone, but I left enlivened, with new determination to move forward in the parts of my life where I sometimes get stopped by fear.

Where do you need courage in your life? Jesus has been there and he walks with us through it, into new life.

Serve one another in love

Community Table volunteers Barb and Nohemi shop.

A few months ago, the Cornelius UMC Community Table Food Pantry switched from a system where volunteers filled boxes for guests to a shopping-style pantry. Now, instead of receiving a pre-made box which may or may not contain food that they like, families can make their way around a well-stocked room, choosing items off the shelf at their own speed with guidance from a helper. Volunteers and guests have expressed appreciation for the change, saying that it’s great to have a more personal connection and to take home food that they know they’ll eat.

On our first attempt at shopping-style, we explained the system to all the volunteers and, as usual, helpers who needed food came back before the opening time to get it. Barb and Maria, two long-time volunteers (one an English-speaker, one a Spanish-speaker), paired up and began to roll a cart slowly around the room. They seemed to consider each selection carefully as one helped the other assemble her box, seeking to communicate in simple English and Spanish. Finally, Maria rolled the cart out and I asked her if I could help her get it in her car. She said, “It’s not mine. It’s Barb’s.” I turned to Barb, who said, “It’s Maria’s food.” Then it hit us--they both thought they were helping the other woman with her food!

Maria and Barb had a good laugh, then rolled the cart back in to re-stock the food and start again, practicing their English and Spanish along the way. As they did, I smiled and gave thanks for the spirit of service I had witnessed. Each came that day so ready to offer herself that she didn’t even realize that the other person was trying to serve her! May we always show up ready to serve and be open to the love offerings of those around us.

Galatians 5:13: Serve one another in love.

The practice of being present

When Jesus visited sisters Mary and Martha in their home, Martha worked her butt off in the kitchen, then complained to Jesus that Mary, who was just hanging out with their guest, wouldn't help her out. Jesus responded,

"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.

Cooperation makes it happen

In preparation for Saturday's pantry party (really, that's what the big monthly distribution days have become), seven folks related to the Community Table showed up and fell into particular tasks that took us from a pick-up truck full of boxes to neat, organized shelves of food ready to be "shopped."

We stayed focused on our tasks--hauling, sorting, stacking, knocking down boxes, stuffing freezers, cleaning--even as we chatted and joked. And though I began to notice some soreness in my back from yanking cardboard boxes apart, I was joyful as I looked around at so many companions in the work, all older than me, some with longtime knee or back problems themselves, laughing and working selflessly and without complaint so that this food might be available to our neighbors.

I found myself singing the refrain of a Sesame Street that has amazingly ramained lodged in my brain over the 25 years (really??) since it appeared! Perhaps even more amazing is that I (re)discovered that the song is actually about creating a community garden!

Cooperation makes it happen....cooperation--working together!!



Paul talked about cooperation, too, in his letter to the Ephesians (4:4-7):

You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness. But that doesn't mean you should all look and speak and act the same. Out of the generosity of Christ, each of us is given his own gift.

Cooperation makes it happen, cooperation--working together! Dig it!

Taste and see

Some recent publicity (read the online version here):


Psalm 34:8 (The Message): Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see—how good God is. Blessed are you who run to him.

Come see the abundance. Shop for groceries in our new space or lead a new friend around the room as she selects items her family likes. Learn some new words in English or in Spanish.

Pluck a crisp, juicy green bean off a garden plant and pop it in your mouth, or pull a carrot from the soil, tasting a bit of earth with the crunch. The tomatoes have been slow to ripen, but they are finally turning red! Walk to the center of the labyrinth, or even run, like Yazmin (in the picture above) seems to do constantly, turning the flowers into a blur of brilliant color.

See the folks gathered around a table, chatting away, or carefully selecting beads for a handmade necklace. Taste some hot coffee on your tongue as you join them.

There is enough food and coffee and love for all. Taste and see. And be blessed.

Creation Vacation reunion!

Several Western Washington County Creation Vacation families and Family Friends gathered recently at a sunny park for a little picnic reunion. We had great fun sharing pictures, eating amazing food, playing basketball and just talking and laughing.

Look at that spread!

Can you tell that these two sweeties love cherries? When I visited their house, I helped them devour a giant bowl of them.

I love watching people look at pictures together.

What a joy to see people who hadn't known each other before camp sharing and enjoying each other's company so much. I can't wait until the next time we gather!

Family Fiesta 2010

Forest Grove UMC's Family Fiesta was a wonderful time for families of all shapes and size to gather for a delicious meal, games, craft, service and campfire. Around 50 folks came each of the three evenings, with around 75 people total attending at least once.

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!