The Story of a Dinner Church

St. Lydia's is a Dinner Church located in Brooklyn, New York. The time spent together over a meal offers a space "to eat, explore scripture, offer prayers and sing together." In the video they use the language of this being practice for being in the world.

I have never been To St. Lydia's, but I have been following this community through facebook and twitter for some time now. I may even say I have been fascinated with this approach of being the church.

As a Children, Youth and Family Minister, I wonder about the importance the meal holds for students, not just with their peers but also with other members of the community. For example, last night during the Community Meal at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, I asked a eighth grade student if I could join him during the meal. Soon three other students joined us at this table, as well as a few young adults. As we sat there and shared our meal we had conversation that may be very normal at a table. We shared about our day, our week and even some pieces of our past. Again, this may be so simple, but I continue to find the table being a sacred place. It is a place where we have the ability to take the time to share, to listen and to expose little pieces of oneself.

My current wondering as I watched the video above is can the modern practices of Confirmation be forgotten and can we move to being present with one another at the table for exploration with young people. Here we can practice and share, explore and question, and pray and sing. Like always, this is a wondering but I hope we continue to find the space to share the sacred practice of the meal together, especially with young people.