Church Dinners, and Those Who Prepare Them: A Blessing

In the days of my childhood, we called them carry-in dinners.  Now, I more often hear the term potluck, or perhaps fellowship meal, or some other term to describe the coming together of a congregation to eat.  Whatever the name given to the event, there's something special about these meals.

And so, I offer a blessing...

Blessed are those who rise early on a Sunday morning to prepare food to be shared at a common meal that day.  Blessed are they when they boil macaroni and peel carrots before the sun rises.  Blessed are they when, in the peaceful hours before the rest of the family arises, they turn on soft worship music and feel their spirits rise, even as they wipe sleep from their eyes.

Blessed are those who plan ahead and prepare all their food the day before.  Blessed are they when they spend their Sunday mornings snuggling in bed with their husbands and maybe a child or two that has wandered in, searching for Mommy.  

Blessed are those who arrive early to the church building to set up tables, line up rows of chairs, and spread plastic tablecloths in preparation for the coming feast.

Blessed are those who stay late after the meal, remaining behind to make sure every spoon is washed and returned to its proper drawer and every crumb is wiped from the counters.

Blessed are those who prepare a treasured family recipe, passed down through generations.

Blessed are those who bring a bucket of fried chicken from KFC or a bag of Cool Ranch Doritos.

Blessed are the old and young who gather together, sharing not only a delicious meal, but also their minds in conversation and their spirits in fellowship, bridging the span of years between them.

Blessed are the little feet who, growing restless after the meal, quickly pitter-patter across the floor of the church basement.

Blessed are the older feet who, grateful for a chance to sit and rest, remain stationary, tucked under a table.

Blessed are the hands who hold another cup of coffee, or lemonade, or iced tea, as the meal winds down but before the fellowship comes to an end.

Blessed are those who bring beauty to such an event, decorating the tables with seasonal garlands.  Blessed are those who notice and appreciate it.  Blessed also are those who are oblivious to the sparkly pumpkins.

 Blessed indeed is the body of Christ when she devotes herself to the breaking of bread.

Amen.