What We Did
We discussed this opportunity with our Session to use a table as a gathering place to bring the community and our church together. In our discussions, the cemetery on our property came up, as did our unused green space at the back of the building. Of course, there are many members with loved ones laid to rest there, but there are also many who come from much further away to visit or to tend graves. We thought we could offer a place of peace and rest on this pilgrimage so that people can linger in comfort.
A group of five came together to build this table from scratch on a sunny September Saturday morning after a week of nonstop rain. They built a 10-foot accessible table from scratch, ready to welcome and host.
For practical reasons, our table is currently in the parking lot, as we will have many visitors for the 70 Mile Yard Sale, with St. Andrew's in the middle. As people stop for wares and snacks, our table will be available to anyone who wants to stop, rest, and chat with friends new and old.
Afterward, it will be moved between two trees: an oak planted for the 100th anniversary, and an apple tree gifted to the congregation at the covenanting of our student minister; symbols of growth and sustenance, providing food and comfort in their (eventual) shade.
Why We Did It
We are starting to explore our relationship with our surrounding community. Our members live in the area, but what is our call, and how are we called to walk with others and long for the common good?
We are just starting to discern God's movement around us, and we jumped at the chance to build a table, to begin reaching out and breaking out of our patterns and to do something new, even if we don't yet fully understand the shape of who God is calling us to be right now, in this moment. The table is a sign that, to discern, we need to gather with all who are willing to sit and talk, break bread, and just hang out.
