the Longest Table
Recently Pastor Sherri and I heard about this beautiful event that started after CoVid in New York City called “The Longest Table”. This was the fifth year and they had over five hundred people gather together in community around tables! Pastor Adam Hamilton and Worship Design Creator, Rev. Dr. Marcia McFee, are partnering together to duplicate this event across the country. It is basically a lot of tables set up end to end and all types of people gather together to enjoy community and food. No agenda, no cost and no requirements to participate. It is about getting to know each other and having a good time. I discovered that it had been done in Oklahoma City but never in the Tulsa area. Adam and Marcia thought it would be important for churches to host these events before the November elections in a season that is fraught with tension and finger pointing. Seeing each other’ humanity and crossing invisible barriers that divide us is their hope for this type of experience. When I met with the leader from NY, she said the only rules are 1) no selling anything, 2) no campaigning, 3) be kind to everyone.
After much discussion, we decided to look at the calendar and see if there was a weekend where we might be able to host one of these events. Believe it or not, Saturday October 3rd has no OSU, TU or OU football! It seemed like a God thing or maybe a small miracle to find a Saturday like that. We have decided to host this event at the Washington Irving Park in Bixby so that we have access to nice bathrooms and a playground. We will provide tables and chairs from the church. We will gather from 4-6 pm. At this time, we are looking for people to serve as Table Captains.
What is a Table Captain you ask? That is a great question. This person brings food for 8 people and decorations for their table. They can invite friends or family to sit in 4 of the chairs at their table. The other chairs will be filled with people who register to attend the meal. As the meal happens, they encourage conversation at their table and at each of the connecting tables. We will have training and resources for each Table Captain. Please pray about helping to host a table with us on that day. Also, we need people to pray for beautiful weather! What a beautiful witness this will be. We invite you to invite your neighbors, friends and even co-workers. Links to register will be coming soon.
Love,
