Elisabet Kirkland – Littleton, Colorado … The table spanned endlessly, draped in red and white candy stripes. Dewy potato and egg dishes gleamed amid the placid yellow glow of florescent illumination. Crock pots gathered like a small, armored division readied to thwart the delayed first-meal hunger pangs. And the sweet treats! Oh, the sweet treats. Countless pastries in pink, red, and gooey chocolate taunted both the young and the old.
It was a Sabbath breakfast potluck at Littleton Church.
The church families filed in and perused the spread. It was too early in the day for haystacks, but excitement still grew. “So-and-so brought curried potatoes! You have to try the curried potatoes,” one member hyped. Another grimaced, “I hope we have enough. I am hungry today …” There were momentary pauses in the squeaks and squeals of the children as they crept with poor stealth to the tower of doughnut boxes, giving a quick glance to make sure no adult was watching.
We lingered awkwardly beside the tables waiting for the pre-meal prayer, anxious to grab a plate and dig in. But the space-filling small talk led to a spiritual epiphany. Someone had mentioned the culinary splendor they had experienced the previous day at a baptism event held at an Indonesian Church. It sounded like a delight for the senses, albeit a spicy one. It brought to mind my own fond memories of attending the Sabbath potluck meals at my mother-in-law’s Korean church in Northern Virginia. As a designer and lover of food, I shamefully wished the time away, geeking out on the colors, textures, and tastes awaiting. Even within the Conference headquarter City of Denver, one could delight their palette at Hispanic, Ghanian, and Haitian church potlucks.
But, back to the epiphany–we decided that, in the spirit of fellowship (and a side of hunger), that we, as a community, should do some “Sabbath meal tourism.” Is there a better human connector than sharing a meal? Think of all the stories in the Gospels of tables shared and congregations with food. One of our most basic human needs is also one of our greatest bonds.
So, fellow brothers and sisters, let’s venture out and do as we have been shown. With creativity, we all can share outside of our church homes. There is so much joy and insight to be gained as we commune at the table across the Christ-centered human kaleidoscope.
Dust off that crock pot, break out that forgotten serving dish, and have your own spiritual journey “graced” by food.
–Elisabet Kirkland is a member of Littleton Adventist Church. She assists her husband, Wandee Kirkland, head deacon, at church events. Photo by Brodie Philpott.
