by Katie Yager
One of my favorite nights of the week is Friday night. Not only is it the beginning of the weekend, but it is also the night our Shepherding Group meets. We have been in this group for the past 8 years. Over the years, these people have become dear friends and our “chosen” family! One of the things that makes our Shepherding Group so special is that we share a meal together. We take turns hosting, and whoever is hosting makes the main meal, and another couple brings sides/dessert. Sometimes it is a fancy meal with cloth napkins, and five courses, other times it is pizza on paper plates. The truth is, it does not matter what is on the plate. Sure, delicious food is ALWAYS appreciated, but it is the conversation, and care and thought that went into the meal, that makes our night so special.
The dinner conversation is full of questions like, “How was your week? How was the thing you were worried about last week going? Why is it so hard to teach my child to drive? Tell me more about your new job!” You get the idea. We converse, laugh, and even shed a tear or two over a meal. It is a wonderful time of being seen and known by people you trust and love.
Now on to the care of the meal. If someone has a birthday, it’s time to enjoy their favorite dessert! Cilantro tastes like soap to some of us (not me, I love it), cilantro will be put on the side. Coconut shreds makes someone gag (it’s me), no coconut in the dessert. We show our friends we care about them by what we serve. One of my favorite birthday dessert surprises was a Baked Alaska! That’s right, the amazing dessert you would see on the British Bake Off! The hosts of our Shepherding Group that night made it for me! I felt like the Queen of England! You see I have a Dec. 23rd birthday. I have never had a friend birthday party because…you guessed it, Baby Jesus’s birth is celebrated around the same time. I was so shocked by their kindness in remembering my birthday, let alone spending the day making me a delicious Baked Alaska, I cried. It was just so thoughtful!
I am told that this Shepherding Group we joined started doing meals every time they met after reading the book “Meal With Jesus” by Tim Chester. I am so glad they did!
Love this tradition, and the fellowship that takes place around the table. I would encourage you to first join a Shepherding Group, and then share a meal together. You will be blessed!
“And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,” Acts 2:46
Katie, married to Travis for 19 years, has 3 children Elise, Ian, and Maisie. Travis & Katie have owned Chocolaterie Stam for 16 years in Downtown Rochester. When Katie is not driving her children all around Rochester, she likes to read, watch The Great British Baking Show, participate in Fantasy Football, and hang out with her family. They have been attending Calvary for over 2 years.
1 thought on “Breaking bread together”
Thanks, Katie, for sharing.
Rosie T.