It’s just about the half-way point of our Sabbatical Renewal Season. It has gone by in a flash and although I am far from ready for it to be over I must admit that I do find myself missing WestWind and all of you! I pray that you are also finding ways to experience some renewal, delight, and inspiration!
I returned home from Italy on June 21st. My time at home has been spent recovering, resting, relishing time with family, catching up on laundry, pottery, and reflecting back on the past month. Considering over 4000+ photos were taken during my adven
tures at Christ in the Dessert Monastery, Rick Steve’s Village Italy tour, and the ceramics class at La Meridiana, there are many moments and memories to sort through! I have a feeling that no amount of photos or words will be able to adequately represent the experiences that I/we have been gifted. (But don’t worry, with time we will do our best to share pictures (maybe not all of them!) and stories.)
One of the threads of gratitude that was woven throughout all my experiences thus far has centered around tables. Maybe this is unsurprising coming from a Disciples of Christ minister whose life and theology centers around the open table of Jesus Christ, but I have been blown away by the indescribable magic and mystery that regularly reveals itself when seated around abundantly filled tables. Yes, the abundance comes from overflowing wine and never-ending delicious food; though, it also comes from relational connections and shared st
ories
. Of course, relationships were being built during other activities and conversations; however, none compared to those that took place while passing plates and pouring drinks.
In those moments during meals, it was as if nothing else in the world mattered but being present and attentive to those seated across and beside. To listen to anothers’ story and to share my own story. To be vulnerable and authentic. To experience curiosity and to be confronted by difference. To feel compassion and love. The unhurried, multi-course production of Italian meals made these moments all the more powerful and transformative. People were not rushing through to get to the next check on their to-do list, nor were faces in phones distracted by an addiction to scre
ens.
At La Meridiana, mealtime is strictly adhered t
o. It doesn’t matter if you are right in the middle of a project or if you are covered from head to toe in clay, the expectationis that you a
re at the table with clean hands exactly at 12:30pm. Furthermore, you do not leave the table until the last round of post-meal caffe has been served. This, of course, is out of respect for
the wonderful kitchen crew who are creating a beautiful handmade three course meal every day for a full community of people. Yet, whether unintentional or intentional, it also created a sacredness to this time of eating. Sacred means ”set apart.” These mealtimes were s
acred, set-apart, from the business and busyness of the day. Each individual set aside whatever they were preoccupied with and came together with the community for a set apart time of sharing a meal.
There is something truly holy and sacred that takes place when the community is gathered around a table!
There is equality around tables where all are seated on the same level being offered the same nourishing gifts of food and drink.Colors
There is inclusion around tables that make room for additional chairs to be continually added.
There is belonging around tables where strangers become friends and everyone knows your name.
There is abundance around tables where there is always enough for all to receive their fill.
There is pleasure and delight around tables where all our God-given senses are engaged in a sensual experience.
There is gratitude around tables where those gathered recognize that every good gift is given by our gracious God.
It’s no wonder why the metaphor of a feast is often used in descriptions of heaven and why we center our faith around the Lord’s Table!
