Table Talk Newsletter
Pastor’s Letter
From November Table Talk
Eat, Drink and be Merry Listen
Grace and peace to you. This past 2025 Church year, we have had the Gospel text readings primarily from the book of Luke. Luke is a Gospel known for its emphasis on meals and food. There are numerous occurrences of Jesus' eating with folks including tax-collectors, sinners & saints, the sick, Pharisees, the wayward. As bread is broken and food is shared, there are significant teaching moments and illustrated themes of hospitality, reconciliation, and the importance of social interactions.
As the 2025 Church Year is ending, I was pondering how meal sharing may be a valuable way for folks in our day and age. In other words, as we experience conflict and discord, what would it be to share a meal with those who we may not agree? What would it be to share a meal with someone who thinks differently, whose worldview is different? I know this may cause some discomfort on your part, but I invite you to consider sharing a meal, and listening. The intent is not to use the opportunity for “conversion” or “informing” or trying to persuade. But rather, to truly listen, ask questions. As you listen, see the human across from you, see the beloved child of God in your presences.
My idea is nothing new, the ‘intentional meal sharing’ has taken on various forms through the ages and I was reminded of the idea while listening to Mending Divides podcast with Rev. Harold Good, the Northern Irish pastor and peacemaker who helped navigate decades of sectarian division. As you share and discuss with your meal partner, notice what topics are discussed, what are avoided, how do your thoughts and words unfold in the dialogue, and how may your objectives be similar but pursued differently.
I encourage you to consider the mealtime sharing. Here is one way to begin:
Think of a friend or family member or neighbor, someone in your life who sees the world differently than you do. Start by thinking of your projection of them and how you characterize them, i.e. how you have labeled and identified them. Then, be intentional about being open to a different picture of them, be open to potentially seeing them differently as you gain new insight into them during your shared meal. Commit to replacing that ‘perception’ with a conversation.
Now invite this person to coffee or a meal. In your invitation, keep it simple. For example, “I’ve realized I’ve made some assumptions about people and how they may see the world differently than I do. I’ve been reaching out to folks to simply talk about what’s going on in the world. Would you be interested in going for coffee or lunch to be in conversation about this wonderful, yet complex world we live?”
Before meeting up, remind yourself about listening more than talking. Remember you don’t need to necessarily agree or disagree, and your time together is not a debate.
As you meet, refrain from the point-counter-point trap. Invite them to share stories or examples about how their beliefs, thoughts, opinions or assumptions have come about. Also, try not to be uncomfortable with sometimes moments of silence.
After the meeting, ponder and reflect on the conversation e.g. what did you learn about them, what surprised you, were your assumptions challenged, what untruths may you have constructed, when were you possibly agitated, where was the common ground? This time together is not intended for you to necessarily become ‘good buddies or best friends. The idea is more to grow in awareness of their humanity, e.g. their insight, wisdom, their vulnerability and fears, their hopes and dreams, and most importantly for you to grow in understanding the value of everyone, even the ones that may confound us.
Possibly, just possibly, you may also learn more about yourself, learn more about your fears and vulnerability and also your strengths, talents, and your raison d'etre.
So, Eat, Drink and Listen. Let me know how your meal turns out.
Pastor Raymond
Council President’s Corner
From June Table Talk
Pastor Beard and I attended the Synod Assembly in Walnut Creek on Saturday May 17. For anyone worried about the decline in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs in our country, the assembly was a very encouraging place to be. Diversity and Inclusion were front and center at the event.
It began with picking up our name tags at the check-in table. All name tags were replete with one's preferred pronouns. Then we heard an impassioned plea from Lutheran Social Services to contact our state and federal representatives to ask them to support food and health care programs for people experiencing poverty. They are under attack at both levels as they have never been before.
We heard a report from the new bishop on how he's settling into his new role. But to fully appreciate his position, I need to recount some events from an assembly I attended about 15-20 years ago. Among the resolutions considered that year, was one to allow openly gay/lesbian pastors to be rostered with the synod. It was possible for gay/lesbian pastors to serve churches in the synod. They just weren't formally recognized and could not vote at assemblies. This assembly also offered a workshop on working with people experiencing homelessness. The workshop had a moderator, but it became clear that two pastors from San Francisco were the most knowledgeable on the subject. It was clear they had been working closely with the unhoused for years. They had a deep understanding of the needs of the unhoused and could recite where food, clothing, shelter, and health care services were available for them. It also became apparent that these two pastors were among those who could not be rostered because they were gay. At that point, it was hard not to conclude that our church at large had a problem because we were ostracizing the most dedicated and knowledgeable people in one of Christ's core missions.
Fast forward 15-20 years and one of those pastors, Jeff Johnson, is now our bishop. In his address, he noted how bishops typically note their position by wearing a special ring. A colleague recommended he acquire one. He stopped into a neighborhood jewelry shop to evaluate the options. A male bishop with a husband is a unique situation. He opted not to select a ring at that time. Shortly after, he ran into a former bishop - someone who had been an adversary during the rostering of gay clergy debate. The former bishop raised the ring issue to Bishop Jeff and asked if he'd be willing to take and wear his. In a glorious act of reconciliation, Jeff accepted the ring - and it fit perfectly without adjustment.
The assembly's keynote speaker was a bishop-level leader in the Presbyterian church. (The assembly was held in a Presbyterian church due to last-minute electrical problems at the Lutheran Church in Walnut Creek.) She is a biracial lesbian woman. Among the highlights of her address was a focus on the Saturday after Good Friday and before Easter. This was a dreadful day when all seemed to have been lost. No one knew a resurrection was coming. We should be inspired to hope by that day.
Pastor Beard felt, "It was an inspirational gathering. We are going through a process of healing in our synod in many ways here and that call for reconciliation and love is paramount and very important here. And so, it was an uplifting gathering that lifted up the power of hope in all ways there."
Needless to say, synod assemblies can be very engaging events. All should consider experiencing them at some point.
Yours in Christ,
Cam Bauer