A Place at the Table
Philippians 1:3-11
My wife, Becky and I had a tradition during the holiday season when we lived in Dallas that we called "friendsmas." Usually, circumstances led us to frequently spend our christmases just with ourselves because we usually traveled after Christmas. Because of this, and because I really enjoy cooking and she really enjoys planning parties, we would get friends together and make a feast happen in our little one or two bed room apartment, depending on where we were living.
These are special memories for me. We are still close to those friends we shared those meals with during the advent season in Dallas. And the ways we had to figure out how to fit people in our tiny apartment generally are humorous to remember. I remember "borrowing" folding tables from a church where I worked at, or finding ways for people to eat where ever they could find furniture to sit.
"Friendsmas" is what I think of when I consider Paul's words in phillippians to the church in Phillipi regarding his prayer that their "love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you determine what is best." These meals were a lot more about love than how good the food was. There was laughter, playful yet shouted disagreements over whether or not "The Last Jedi" was a good movie or not, and raucous play that came from some of our friends young toddlers.
These folks are people I consider my chosen family. I believe that chosen families have as much value, as much love, and as a much connection as we can get from the families we were born into. For some, chosen family might be the only family that embraces them anymore because they might claim to be a part of the LGBTQ+ community, or have a political affiliation that makes it impossible to maintain relationship with their family.
The thing is, Becky and I never really got to the point where we had to tell anyone in our chosen family who would join us to eat, "there isn't room." Someone might have to sit on the couch or on a foot rest, but seats and space were always found. And I think there is a kernel of the gospel to be found in that.
As a church, we have tons of space. There is rarely a lack of seating in worship. But I wonder about other ways we might consider making a place at the table for anyone who wants to make us a part of their chosen family. Are we making sure its obvious there is a place at the table in our community for someone who is a part of the LGBTQ+ community? If a person of color walked into our space, would there be moments even before they got into our sanctuary that might communicate unintentionally that we don't have a place at the table for them? Do we only have a certain kind of place at our table for people experiencing poverty or homelessness that relegates them to only be recipients of our benevolence?
There are so many ways we can make a place at our table that aren't as obvious as providing a physical seat in our worship service. And there are tables we have yet to set for how we can be community and the church on other days besides Sunday as well! Let's chat about it this Sunday, see you in worship!
