I have an uncanny knack for visiting churches when there is food involved. I never plan it that way but it often happens. I believe the first time I visited Freedom Friends, it was potluck Sunday. The time I visited Multnomah? You guessed it, potluck Sunday. I’ve heard one meeting calls potlucks, “meetings for eating”. How fun is that? The spirituality of food.
Today I hit the jack pot. No, not Thanksgiving quite yet, but a great second – a desert auction! Reedwood Friends Church is in Portland and is the church I credit for bringing me into the Quaker world. I told them they sucked me in and they liked hearing that. I thought it poetic to visit them first for the Quaker Youth Book Project as they are very special to me. The service was really nice with a great message on simplicity. We even got to sing two songs I grew up with and that was comforting. My friend, Cara, said the few minutes I spoke to the congregation about the book project was refreshing, that was really nice to hear. I learned something important in the process too, most of the young adults are happy to have the submission guidelines if you seek them out, few will actually come to you. This practice will come in handy in the future.
After the service, we went downstairs to get a sandwhich and sit down for the auction which was really fun. Imagine three long tables weighed down with deserts of all types and sizes. One by one they brought them before the group, and the group? They were generous. The eppel taking the money think they raised over $6,000.00 for scholarships for the kids to go to camps. It will be fun to see what the final total is. Many people bought the deserts then shared them with everyone else. It did nothing to help my resolve to eat better and exercise more in an effort to lose the extra pounds I’ve gained in the last year. Temptation is so hard to resist when it comes to food. “After this, I’ll eat better.” Time and time again.
While I talked with people, I spied Carrie’s family two tables away with little Issaac. Carrie is in our Multwood group and at our last meeting, Issaac, only a few weeks old, was getting passed around. Seeing no competition from fellow Multwood members this afternoon, Cara was interested in other things, I went over and stole the baby. For quite some time, I happily sat with Issaac in my arms and I was in heaven. There is just something about holding such a trusting soul that can lift you up to the Divine. I’ll be seeing him again soon. Our next Multwood meeting is at the beginning of November.
While we were getting our sandwhiches, my friend, June, walked up to me and held out a small container in her hands. I immediately jumped up and down clapping my hands in joy. Years ago, I studied Count Nicolas Von Zinzendorf and the Moravians for a Christian history paper. My professor, Carole, and I agreed it was a timely study for me and I have had a soft spot for the Moravians ever since. Meanwhile, I have also fell into collecting different necklaces from 
different faiths. I have the classic crosses for Christianity, a Star of David for Judiaism, and an emblem of Mary for Catholicism. I don’t collect them just to collect them though, each necklace means something to me, each faith has touched me and become a part of me in a special way. June and I were talking about this one Sunday morning at Reedwood when I mentioned I had been searching the internet for a necklace with the Moravian seal and was having no luck at all. Her eyes lit up as she told me she owned such a necklace and would like to give it to me. However, I never contacted her when I was coming up so she started carrying it in her purse. Last time I saw her, she had just taken it out. So when she walked up to me this morning with that little container in her hands I knew, after years of waiting, exactly what was in that box. I put in on immediately and gave her a big hug. I am sure they sell them somewhere but it means even more to me coming from her. She grew up in the Moravian church and had been given the necklace herself in 1964 from a friend who had also grown up in the church. She said she liked giving it to me as she knew I would love a piece of that history as well. I do, I do, I do! Someday, I would like to attend a Moravian service. There aren’t any in the northwest, I’ve already checked in years past, but someday, I want to go. At least now, I have a reminder of what I’ve learned from them close to my heart. Thank you June!
different faiths. I have the classic crosses for Christianity, a Star of David for Judiaism, and an emblem of Mary for Catholicism. I don’t collect them just to collect them though, each necklace means something to me, each faith has touched me and become a part of me in a special way. June and I were talking about this one Sunday morning at Reedwood when I mentioned I had been searching the internet for a necklace with the Moravian seal and was having no luck at all. Her eyes lit up as she told me she owned such a necklace and would like to give it to me. However, I never contacted her when I was coming up so she started carrying it in her purse. Last time I saw her, she had just taken it out. So when she walked up to me this morning with that little container in her hands I knew, after years of waiting, exactly what was in that box. I put in on immediately and gave her a big hug. I am sure they sell them somewhere but it means even more to me coming from her. She grew up in the Moravian church and had been given the necklace herself in 1964 from a friend who had also grown up in the church. She said she liked giving it to me as she knew I would love a piece of that history as well. I do, I do, I do! Someday, I would like to attend a Moravian service. There aren’t any in the northwest, I’ve already checked in years past, but someday, I want to go. At least now, I have a reminder of what I’ve learned from them close to my heart. Thank you June!
Hi Sarah,
I have also heard potlucks called “Quaker communion”.
Ooooh, I like that one too! Thanks!
Sarah