Episcopal Church Foundation Vestry Papers - for leading congregations

This is what community looks like.

Fifteen coworkers seated around a conference table, cups of water at their right hand, spooning pudding from parfait glasses.

As we move through Holy Week, we recall the Last Supper, the Passover meal Jesus shared with his friends (and one definite frenemy). The disciples didn't know what this meal meant to Jesus. They had no idea that 2,000 years later, millions of faithful followers would still honor this evening, the words Jesus spoke, the community he loved. They couldn't know the transforming power of love. They were just eating a meal with their friend.

I haven't broken (or tasted) bread since December 6. No soft drinks, cookies, ice cream, or even fruit. With this medically supervised diet, my food consists of four or five packets of high-protein mixes. Eight hundred calories a day. And lots and lots of water. I've lost almost seventy pounds. And missed work lunches, Christmas brunch, happy hours, New Year's gnoshing, and breakfasts in bed.

In many ways, it's a good trade-off. But this is the hardest thing I've ever done. And I still have a way to go on the journey. 

A coworker asked if she could organize a lunch that I could attend. The staff would eat what I eat, drink what I drink. We want to support you, she said. We’re proud of you, and we know it must be hard to miss the social time of lunches. 

On the day of the luncheon, she set a festive table with parfait glasses (real, glass ones!). Coworkers brought their water bottles and whisks (nothing mixes up granular protein into mostly edible pudding like a whisk), and together we ate our 200-calorie lunch. 

Community gathers around a common table. Community believes in each other. And shows that belief in tangible ways. Community laughs and listens and sometimes finishes lunch with growling stomachs. 

A loving community transforms, providing nourishment for the journey. 

Thanks be to God.

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