How's Your Picnic?

I had to miss my church's picnic this past Sunday being needed elsewhere. It was a muggy, scorcher of a day and I understand that those who stayed after worship for it braved the temperature rather than moving inside. People had been asked to bring a salad or appetizer or dessert. It's such a wonderful time of year with fresh produce appearing again at market stands, and I'm sure there was a great variety of food to go along with the hot dogs.

Who doesn't love a good picnic? And yet, there is a bit of risk. I'm not a fan of wasps and other stinging insects, I burn easily, and humidity and I don't get along. When you add the layer of being asked to bring something, then suddenly there is a whole host of other questions: What will people like so I don't bring most of it home? What can I make without peanuts, nuts, dairy, gluten, meat? Not to mention concern about our waistlines. It can all become quite complicated if we let it and outside the comfort zone of some. But then when we actually get together, I can't remember a potluck or picnic I've ever regretted attending.

Last week my church met at a national gathering where there were very diverse voices speaking to challenging issues. It took courage for commissioners to commit to going, knowing that what they brought in terms of representing their congregation and their own interpretation of God's Word and the Spirit's leading might not be terribly welcome or understood. It turned out that there were a variety of things said and shared, and, in the end, rather than pretending that anything close to unity had been reached, my understanding is that time has been set aside for listening to those most impacted by the issues on the table. Time is being set aside to help hear these and all voices and to seek shalom even when we may disagree.

Like many denominations, the Presbyterian Church in Canada has churches which have little in common with each other and which the average person would not put together as being related. And yet, just like I love that different denominations are strong in different ways of bringing people to God and serving the Kingdom, our different churches within the PCC do the same. And I sense that out of this gathering, there was movement of the Spirit among those present and that positive change is happening, not necessarily in terms of doctrinal decisions but more in terms of recognizing that we need to continue to do the work of understanding and feeding each other. 

I was able to watch some of the live feed of the meetings and was pleased to see people disagree, for the most part very respectfully, and still be together at tables in the large room, committed to the greater vision of God's church made known within this denomination. We literally do this at picnics and potlucks - sharing and being fed from one table, with a variety of dishes, some spicy, some bland, in a variety of colours and textures and a serving spoon of some kind to take a bit or a lot or none. And we need to appreciate the effort of all those who prepared and shared with everyone.

There is something so intimate about being at table together. It's no surprise that one of the most important things we do is eat together at the Lord's table as we celebrate communion as family in Christ. It may seem trite, but I feel the more we can eat together, creating an environment of sharing and appreciating what the other has to bring to eat and to say, the better we will be able to discern God's voice in issues that cause us concern and anxiety in the church. We used to be admonished to 'try a bit of everything' offered to us, and perhaps this is still a good practice in how we relate in the body of Christ. We don't have to like it, but at least by trying what someone offers to us, being willing to dialogue and listen to the other, we build understanding and honour their efforts and the image of God in them.

How will you honour the voices around your table? How will you recognize those who are no longer present at your table, or who never have been, and discover why? How will you try something different? How will you encourage listening and respect across generations?

Happy picnicking!