I’ve been a minister to the feeding program I lead at West End Collegiate Church for about three years now. We serve 100-200 meals every Tuesday to people who are unhoused, poor, elderly, or perhaps just lonely and in need of community. In the last year I have started an optional worship service before our meal. At first around 20 people attended and now we have upwards to 50 to 60 people who are in worship. I see the church alive when we gather in prayer. In the last year I have also started a writing circle for our feeding program. Once a month those who attend the program, those who serve, the poor, and the rich come together to write in silence and then we share our stories. These times are filled with holy boundary crossing as people of very different circumstances and life journeys come together to write. This upcoming program year I have even more dreams of art, justice, food, worship, and community.
I’m gearing up to leave on my vacation for much of the month of August. I have two stellar writers lined up who will be serving you some food for thought and encouragement in the journey. But before I head out of New York City for my holiday and head up to Maine, I’ve been thinking about what God has done this year in our feeding program and what I pray God will do this coming year. I wish you could experience what happens in person, because Christ likes to show up often, especially in people who I least expect. I have a feeling Christ likes to do that in your community, too. I leave you with an exchange where Christ ate with us.
Grace and peace,
Jes
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I had dinner with a man who has been homeless for 23 years last week. I lost track of time as he passionately expressed how difficult it is to find safe housing. He told me stories of wanting to be on the street instead of shelters because of the lack of safety in shelters. He kept saying that the government serves the people, but which people, he asked? He then asked two questions, that he directed toward the Mayor of New York City, but I think they speak to all of us:
–Who are your people?
–-Who do you serve?
As I ate my spaghetti and meatballs and listened to him speak to me (one tooth left in his mouth, a sign of the street and the vices that come along with it) I kept thinking “Christ, you are speaking to me right now. You are speaking to all of us in this man.”
–Who are your people?
–Who do you choose to serve?
I said to him, sir, you remind me a lot of Jesus. He asked us that on the sermon on the mountain. He said we can’t have two masters. We must choose, God or wealth.
He looked me in the eye and said “You want to help people? You have to answer those questions.”
–Who are your people?
–Who do you choose to serve?
God visited us today.
