Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Hospitality (02/07/05)
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TITLE: The Hospitality Table | Previous Challenge Entry
By Amy Miller
02/10/05 -
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The sweet aroma of coffee and pastries filled the lobby of this quaint little church offering a warm hospitality greeting to those entering the doors. Something was certainly different about this church, as greeters welcomed guests extending a sturdy handshake and a warm cup of coffee. There was a sense of warmth as you walked in making you feel right at home. This wasn’t always the case at Faith Community Church, in fact there was a time when no one would even notice if you came or left. A simple heartfelt gesture changed the hearts of those not willing to open there lives to one another when two elderly ladies felt that the building itself was not enough to draw the lost in. It all began one day when Elaine and Gladys noticed how members quickly filed out after service heading straight for the double wide glass doors into the parking lot. No one stopped to talk or say hello and in a matter of minutes the church was emptied out. Week after week services grew smaller and guests weren’t returning. Though the beautifully stained glass windows glazed the sanctuary with an array of rainbow colors the atmosphere was as gray as a cold winter’s day. Something had to change but what?
Without a hint to anyone Elaine and Gladys were up to something one Sunday morning when they arrived an hour before service was to begin. Finishing with the last preparations, members began to file in with just enough time to hang their coats and grab a bulletin. But instead of bolting to their usual pew they stopped to glance at the laced covered table with carefully arrange mugs, chocolate covered spoons and black crafts filled to the brim with flavored coffee.
“What’s this”, asked Ann. “I don’t recall anything in the bulletin last week.”
“Please have some coffee”, Elaine kindly answered as she handed her a mug.
“This is what Gladys and I call a little southern hospitality with a touch of simplicity.”
Ann smiled thanking the ladies for their thoughtfulness. But coffee was just a glimpse of what was to come.
Elaine and Gladys slipped out of service during the closing song quickly hurrying to the kitchen to unveil the pastries they had spent hours baking the night before. Pastries filled with all sorts of homemade jams ranging from apple to raspberry oozing out of the frosted glazed dough. Arranging them in symmetrical rows on glass platters they carried them out to the laced covered table just in time to greet people as they walked out of the sanctuary. Strategically placing the table near the glass doors, enticing those tempted to leave early to stop and grab a pastry. Elaine and Gladys watched in amazement as people stood around talking with one another over light refreshments causing them to loose track of time.
The table was such a success the ladies thought why not provide this each week and see what happens. The following Sunday the coffee aroma saturated the halls of the lobby as people filed in not 5 minutes early but some as early as 30 minutes before service. Each week people stayed later and later opening their hearts to one another discovering new and exciting things. Peggy met Bob whose daughter baby-sits, Marge, the worship leader discovered Becky can sing and asked her to join the praise team. Christine met Rachel, a teacher, who offered to teach children’s church, Kayla was looking for a job as a secretary and was offered a position at the church, guests were returning to become members and Faith Community Church became a real family.
Elaine and Gladys have now passed on but there table still remains filled with southern hospitality with a touch of simplicity.
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