4 Gatherings + 2 Qs for Convos
Life is hard; food doesn't have to be #135 [vol4, 6.2]
In the last 7 days I’ve hosted 4 groups of women at my table. All wives of deacons from our church. A year ago I wanted to do this to be on the fast track of joining a new church and entering a new role of pastor’s wife.
Alas, life. My oldest had a tragic bike accident weeks before we moved. Then we moved - which always is way more effort and chaos than I ever prepare myself for. And a kitchen reno. Whew. What a year.
Alls to say two weeks ago I said to myself, “I just need to plan it. Do it. Life is not slowing down anytime soon.” I’m so glad. The four meals have been a balm to my soul. I love sitting at the table and sharing life.
Two Questions
My desire for the time together was primarily to get to know women in the church beyond surface greetings. Since the pandemic, many of us are out of the practice of sharing food and interacting face to face.
One observation a year into the role of a pastor’s wife is that people *think* they are connected to community because of social media but *reality* is — face to face community is anorexic.
I pondered what questions would facilitate conversation. Two questions rose to the occasion.
Where have you seen God at work recently?
Where would you like to see Him move?
Each meal had a different flavor of personalities, trials and triumphs. Each gathering was encouraging to all of us. I’m so glad I made these meals a priority.
Try using these 2 questions when you’re face to face with friends or family.
The Food
When guests arrived I had the table set complete with food and drink, so that our time focused on getting to know one another. I made a simple fare of chicken salad, this salad for 2 gatherings, a pasta salad for the final two gatherings, fresh fruit salad and peasant bread for all 4. All these were easy to prepare ahead of time with a mixture of gluten-free, grain-free and of course bread.
For Your Reading Pleasure
Below are newsletters I read last week that were food for thought.
Tara is a gifted writer and always challenges the way I think about food, food systems and encourages me to stay the course when trying to eat local.
Amy, of Dunham Dwells, is writing lists this year. Stress is sneaky and I want to watch for it creeping into the margins of my life then eradicate it.
The next article was recommended by Tsh Oxenrider, who lured me to read the article with this teaser:
It's all well and good to want to get rid of your smartphone, but how do you navigate a world that's growing more and more dependent on them? Further still, how do you “convince” a teenager to swim upstream and do without one?
I’m printing this one and paying my 13-year old to read it. She is still without a phone and we have regular conversations about it.
Finally, Ali Stafford gives us all the recipes to eat the spring bounty:
Life is hard; food doesn’t have to be.
Julie
