Noticings – June 14, 2023

We did something at church last Sunday that we haven’t been able to do in three years. We had a pot luck lunch. It was absolutely glorious! Our plates runneth over! Well, at least mine did. At home we eat vegetarian (well, pescatarian technically, meaning we eat fish). Away from home I’m what they call a ‘flexitarian’, meaning while I’m predominantly vegetarian on occasion I will eat meat. Sunday’s pot luck was such an occasion! I overdosed on meatballs. (There were three kinds, so I had to give each kind its due!) My plate was definitely running over, and it almost ran over a second time, and then my dessert plate had a go too. (Thankfully, it was a much smaller plate!) I know that gluttony is one of the seven deadly sins, but I hope I can be forgiven.

In other words, I overindulged. But that is to be expected, I suppose. I mean, we had not had such a smorgasbord for so long that when we were able to finally do it again I just wanted to keep indulging. We were like desert wanderers parched with thirst coming upon an oasis. We were dessert wanderers! (Ok, I’ll stop now.)

But it wasn’t just food we were hungry for – it was that beautiful spirit of warmth, and joy, and laughter, and sharing in one another’s hospitality, and presence, in faithful community. Our plates overflowed with that too! There is something about gathering at table and sharing food as members of Christ’s body that just resonates deep down in our spirits.  

Another reason Sunday’s pot luck was so meaningful was because it represented yet another indication that we’re moving into a ‘new normal’ and out of our high-alert pandemic stresses. Perhaps as we celebrated the ‘ending’ of some of our programming seasons (like Joyful Noise, and Choir, and the Porch, etc.) we were also subconsciously celebrating the ‘beginning’ of a new season of freely gathering together, and sharing our lives again. There is a strong sense around Faith that come September things will really feel like an optimistic, full throttle start-up after our summer rejuvenation. And then our plates will runneth over again, but with joyful busyness as we immerse ourselves once again in church-life and faithful interaction. (We’ll even have another pot luck to launch it! Our plates will runneth over again!)

Whenever we have a pot luck we strongly reassure people that even if they didn’t bring anything for the table, they are absolutely encouraged to stay and eat their fill, because there is always more than enough food. Sunday was no exception. Just sampling a bit of everything overflowed our plates, and there was still more available. That’s how it is when Spirit is flowing so richly too. It just keeps pouring it on, and we fill to overflowing. Unlike food though, we always have room for more Spirit! Yes, indeed. It was a Celebration Sunday worthy of its name! Thanks be to God.