The Common Table
There is no greater blessing for a pastor than to see the Church fulfilling its role of “Loving God and loving others.” (Matt 22:37-39) We try to walk out this call both as individuals and together as a church. Last Sunday, Mariners Church exemplified these biblical commands in such a lovely way through the “Common Table”.
The Common Table is an effort to ‘get outside the church walls’ by having our social hour after the service in the community, instead of in our fellowship hall. This fellowship hall is called The Julia Anderson Room, named after our founding matriarch who gave her fortune to build a stone building dedicated to the Maritime community in Detroit in 1842. I believe Julia Anderson would have been beaming with joy if she could see Mariners’ Church inviting everyone walking by our building to have a donut, coffee, and fruit as we sat at a common table.
Some of the people who came by were:
- A young woman jogging by stopped at the end of her run to have some food and conversation.
- An unhoused man received a flyer at the Pope Francis Center and came by since that source of food is closed on Sundays.
- A man distributing a political petition sat down to have breakfast and conversation, which included much more than just politics.
As we worshipped together then moved outside to enjoy the beautiful weather and neighbors, I believe we truly exemplified a “house of prayer for all people.”
This idea for The Common Table came into focus when a teenager, in our church, told his parents he thought we could ‘feed the hungry’ just outside our doors on Sunday mornings. What wonderful vision that we want to incorporate into our summer months more often. Here is a note from his mom, Laura Chin, who helped put the Common Table into motion:
