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The hand bell is ringing, ringing, ringing – time to gather in the Parish House for a prayer. Slowly Lenten Lunch volunteers emerge, from the kitchen, from the middle kitchen, from take-out, from cash registers, from preparing to serve and pour, from making tea and coffee, from setting tables, from preparing St. Paul’s to open her doors to hungry lunch eaters.
Volunteers gather in a circle to hear the day’s menu and announcements, and to introduce themselves, then all join hands for a blessing from the rector. The group is spiritually readied to offer food and hospitality to those who will gather around our tables – office workers, friend groups, ladies lunching, politicians, retirement home residents and passersby. Many of these diners sit together as groups, but often complete strangers share this meal at their table for 8, some lingering long after the end of lunch has come and gone.
Though this full tradition no longer exists, it will always be a powerful memory in cooking, eating, hospitality and hanging out for all who participated as volunteers or diners.
Lord, bless this food and these people, and let us prepare ourselves to serve others with cooking, eating, hospitality and hanging out, in our church, in our homes and in our lives. Amen.
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