Open Table

I want to celebrate a new ministry with you in the area of missions. Second Friday lunch is a new ministry with the poor in Tyler County. Elizabeth Adkisson, our missions chair, began to feel the call of God to serve a hot meal to folks who need it, and to build relationships. We are beginning this on a trial basis on Friday, March 12th and doing it once monthly through May. At that point, we'll evaluate the program.
As Elizabeth shared her vision with others, she invited prayer. We prayed about it during our Wednesday night prayer time. She solicited input from others and finally came to the Church Council for their discussion and approval. They unanimously approved this new mission.
Second Friday Lunch is a mundane name but a helpful one that communicates clearly what is being offered and when. The spiritual concept here is an open table. The open table captures the heart of Methodist Christianity. It refers to our belief about the Sacrament of Holy Communion as a holy meal, open to all who seek Christ. It conveys our belief that all people are welcome in the church. It also goes further by saying that we too need the grace of God offered at the table. Our servers will be eating with our guests. This meal will be holy and sacred because it comes out of a heart of love for God's people.
When you survey the Gospels, Jesus spent a great deal of his time sharing meals at a table with many. Think about Zaccheus. Jesus called Zaccheus out of the tree and went to his house. I know that they shared a meal there. Think about the Emmaus experience after the resurrection. The disciples didn't recognize Jesus at first but they invited the unknown traveler for a meal. And "they knew him in the breaking of the bread." They recognized him as they shared a meal at the table with him. We trust that we'll not only provide a service but that we will indeed encounter Christ himself at the Second Friday Lunch open table at Woodville UMC. Please continue to pray for this ministry.