Dinner with Church Members and… Coffee Lovers!!!
We had dinner tonight with church members at their home. I know some pastors who avoid these occasions as if they were visits to the dentist. Not me/us. I love the chance to be with members of our faith community in this way. Some random thoughts about this (and for those of you reading this for the coffee comments, they are coming below…):
• Accepting hospitality from another is a gift
• It is a rare chance to spend extended time together that is simply not possible after church on Sunday morning
• Being in another’s home offers a unique glimpse into their “real” lives, and it is a privilege that they choose to share this with us
• “Breaking bread” together is a ritual where being together and sharing conversation are more important than the food being shared
• Stories of family, life, and history are shared around the table
• We connect not just as pastor-parishioner, but as friends
• The food is almost always excellent! <grin>
• Laughter at the table, around the grill, in the kitchen is a sharing of joy
• It’s food for the heart and soul, not just the body
Sure, on some levels it is “work” and “part of the job.” But it’s an important and rich part of ministry. I am reminded that significant things happened in Jesus’ ministry as he gathered around tables. I cherish the sacredness of these times in my own ministry.
Of course it didn’t hurt at all that tonight’s dinner hosts own THIS coffee maker:
I’ve got a Capresso, too . Mine doesn’t have the built-in grinder, but I prefer my Solis for that task anyway. Tonight Bob made some really smooth dark roast coffee to accompany the fresh peach pie that Sue had made. Not a bad way to end a dinner. And it’s comforting to know that I’m not the only “javadude” in this congregation! Thanks be to God!
I loved this blog. We have the same sort of connectional church, though Unitarian (dare I say that here?). You are so right about the blessing of sharing ‘down time’ with church members and clergy. Jerry and I had dinner with our minister at her new home a short time ago (can I say we have a female minister here?
) and it was a very entertaining and fellowship-filled evening. There was a lot of church talk, being that Jerry is the President of the Board, but there was small talk too. Good times!
Unitarians… Female Ministers… What’s next, you’re going to tell me you’re gay???