A Theology of Picnics!

Gathering around the table, whether it be the communion table or the dinner table, is one of the most powerful things that we do in the church. When we have table fellowship, we begin to see one another for real. We receive grace that transforms us and sustains us. We break bread with one another so that we might establish authentic relationships, and thus, hopefully open ourselves to an intricately woven, diverse community.

As we live into the series on community that we are exploring, I want to suggest that one of the things we are called together to do is to eat. We are called together to eat the bread of life in Holy Communion, and we are called to form dynamic and life giving relationships around the dinner table. This week at Crossroads, we have a powerful (and fun) opportunity to continue our exploration of community around the table. We will gather around the communion table during worship, but afterwards we will take our community to Guy Mason Park to gather around the picnic table!

At Crossroads, we know that God moves in our worship, in Holy Communion, in our music, through our prayer stations...we also acknowledge that God moves in our eating and playing together.

Eating and playing aren’t the only goals, though. We do hope that we can connect with and get to know our neighbors around the church and in Glover Park. This isn’t a time for scary evangelism techniques (no Bible beating), but rather, it is a time when we seek to genuinely get to know people who may come to the park, and who may join us for food. We should certainly share about our church if they ask, but we want folks to know that we care about who they are. We want to first be a neighbor who shows compassion, justice and mercy. We want to show that God is at work in our midst in our worship, service to others, and play! This theology of picnics will be on full display this Sunday, June 12 after worship.

You are invited and encouraged to help us out! We need folks to bring chips or drink (or both), and we need some folks who are willing to help set up. Also, I encourage you to invite someone to come with you. There will be plenty of food!

Please dress very casual as we will be in the heat!

Worship begins at 5 PM (Pentecost!) and the picnic will begin at approximately 6:15 PM!

I can’t wait to see what God is up to this week at Crossroads!

Joy and Peace,

Jimmy