Hello St. Paul’s!
As many of you know, Community Dinner Party Project has been a growing ministry for St. Paul’s. The concept is simple: offer a safe, non-sectarian space for people to share a good meal, create community, and explore spirituality in an organic and open way. So, why not invite neighbors to share a meal and leave the rest up to the Holy Spirit?
Over a little more than a year and a half, we have welcomed an average of 30 people to the dinner, which has ranged from Italian, to Burmese, to Oktoberfest (which was the most popular with 45 attendees!). This new tradition has established a little community all its own within St. Paul’s, which has led to a couple of people deepening their relationship with the wider congregation. There are many folks who simply make themselves regulars to this event alone, deepening connections beyond the congregation itself.
One of my favorite moments resulted in the picture below. An older Mandarin speaking couple came to the first community dinner, and they do not speak English. Enthusiastic hospitality was shown to them despite the language barrier; those sitting at their table began drawing pictures to communicate, while using translation apps on their phones to assist in learning about each other. The couple have been coming ever since.
Community Dinner makes surprising connections, inspires conversation about what else happens at St. Paul’s, and offers an easier barrier for entry than a traditional worship service. It augments what we do here in a way that shows who we are, disciples of Jesus trying to walk the talk, while being hospitable and warm, all with a full belly.
You are all invited, along with whoever you would like to invite, friends and neighbors alike, to enjoy this fellowship and soft evangelism that this event provides. The next one will be March 11th at 6pm, and our theme will be “Opening Day,” serving hotdogs and hamburgers and their vegetarian equivalents, and encouraging people to bring their Padres or other favorite MLB team’s gear. There will be additional dinners on the second Wednesdays of the following months: May, June, September, October, and November.
Come one, come all, and have a taste of fellowship and fun! If you would like to support it financially or volunteering, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly. And thank you, St. Paul’s, for making this space pleasant and possible to all our neighbors.
See you Sunday,
~Rev. Richard
