By: Larry McGuire, President of Seventy
She came for the first time to a congregation’s community dinner. She was new in the neighborhood and hoping to find ways to connect with neighbors. She thought this would be a way to help ease her transition and hold off loneliness. Her companion of 40 years had died and in every aspect of life, she was starting over.
She was greeted and welcomed in the parking lot. She felt badly that she didn’t have a dish to share, but she was assured she was welcomed to come and receive. Tables began to fill up with people from around the neighborhood. She could tell many were familiar to one another, but she was the stranger. Ann could see a new person was searching for a table to sit so she went over and invited her to join her table. They greeted one another and Ann introduced her to others at the table.
The meal was full of favorites of others from the tables. Chicken, vegetables, fish, pork, rice, salads, variety of rolls and breads. Some dishes were vegetarian friendly, even several dishes were vegan and gluten free friendly. The tables were reflection of the needs of the neighbors. As people ate, they shared stories of family, doctor visits, other community events and she just listened. Finally someone invited her to share about how she came to the meal that night.
She came alone, searching, and in some ways, grieving, but hoping to find a place to connect with others. Many welcomed her, offered condolences for her loss, asked if she wanted some dessert, and Ann listened. Finally, after sharing about her life as a public-school teacher, a parent, and a companion, Ann asked, “what can this community do for you to know that you belong?” After a couple of minutes, the woman said, “I’d like to have space to share recipes from my culture and learn from your culture. I would also like to have community sharing that reflects cultures from the neighborhood.” The woman was new to the culture of the country but wanted to learn how to offer and share foods of the neighborhood.
Ann was intrigued and asked to meet her new neighbor for coffee and learn more. A date was set, along with location, and planning began. The table of the community became a place for ideas and a dream was shared. The two women met and shared stories of their culture and family. They even shared ideas for a name of this gathered community, ‘A Table of neighbor’s. And a new community was born. It was to be a gathering of welcome, hospitality, sharing of recipes, and food of culture. When they started, the women were hoping for 5 or 6 neighbors would come. They were grateful that 10 people came with dishes, recipes, and stories. All from their cultures and childhood that shaped their experiences and why they wanted to share them with others.
Today, many Tables of Neighbors gather in homes, in community centers, or in local congregational buildings to share in food, recipes, stories and the joy of the neighborhood. The tables hold the stories, the laughter, and the tears of those who gather around it. What began as one stranger attending a community meal, has found its way to become many tables with many neighbors. They have become tables of receiving and celebrating. Tables of our neighbors.
