From Our Pastor, Rev. Gloria Smith

July 2021

This week I received an email notifying me of all the items being recognized during the month of July:

National Anti-Boredom Month
National Baked Bean Month
National Culinary Arts Month
National Grilling Month
National Horseradish Month
National Hot Dog Month
National Ice Cream Month

Do you notice the primary activity that is being recognized during July? When I saw this list, I could not help but laugh. Almost everything involves food. I did not see anything that listed social justice items, diseases, or areas of improvement. I guess we do need a month to relax and recognize activities we enjoy. Since many of us associate food with gathering of friends and family.

Judaism and Christianity both recognize the importance of eating together. In sharing a meal with others, we are acknowledging our friends and family. There is a common bond formed when we share a meal and we have the opportunity to build an authentic community. Regardless of the differences between Judaism and Christianity or within Christian families of faith we all like to eat. Actually, in eating together we share an activity Jesus enjoyed throughout all the Gospel narratives. He ate with family and friends and with sinners and strangers. It was at a meal that Jesus used a common meal to highlight his greatest moment of teaching using just a cup of wine and piece of bread. He also instructed that whenever we participated in this simple but powerful moment of remembrance, we are to remember him specifically. We often forget that prior to this moment Jesus enjoy a meal with these friends. So, I believe it is in eating together without or without bread and cup, we are remembering the beloved community Jesus pointed out
during his ministry.

At this time, we do not have the opportunity to gather for a meal as a complete family but small groups have enjoyed moments of community over a meal. Let’s remember the meals we have shared together and use them as a reminder of the wonderful times to come for us. We have stayed strong in our relationships with one another during these times of Covid-19 and we have an authentic and loving family to return to in the near future.

Blessings, Rev. Gloria