THE COMMON TABLE
Last week a young man came by Oakland Leadership Center, greeted me with a big smile and bro hug, and quickly walked back to the refrigerator to grab a big cup of ice cream before we spoke. He was hungry, and life has been far too difficult and painful lately. We caught up on life and discussed ways that he could be more connected to the OLC community.
Every Wednesday night young adults gather to find community, a Bible study and to brainstorm some practical steps we can take together in the ways of Jesus. But what do we do first? We eat together. We eat soup, chili, bread, salad, barbecue pork, hamburgers, chips, carrots, hummus, trail mix and all sorts of other things. We break bread as an extended family, and organic conversation begins. Laughter breaks in as we discuss the Warriors basketball team or some crazy thing that just happened on the bus. We debate who has the most advanced skills on the grill and what store sells the best cookies. On many occasions the laughter stops when someone shares that another friend has been lost to gun violence. Life, the good and the bad, is shared at the common table.
On Friday mornings, little girls smile with glee when they see donuts with sprinkles on the table. Adults reach for coffee fresh from the French Press. Common prayer begins, and donut crumbs fall on the floor as we pray for others and read the Psalms together.
The ancient stories tell us that Jesus ate with everyone, with the so-called “sinners” and also the tax collectors who were regularly using their position to cheat the common people. It was scandalous because sharing a meal with someone has always been a symbolic act of solidarity.
If you live in Oakland, you are invited to join us for Friday morning prayer or a Wednesday night meal on an evening appropriate for visitors. You are also always welcome to stop by OLC and ask for some ice cream or coffee.
If you want to contribute to our common table in another way, we greatly appreciate gift cards to Costco, Trader Joe’s, Grocery Outlet, Mi Pueblo or Farmer Joe’s. These gifts are a huge blessing and encouragement, and every dollar helps us feed hungry stomachs while building community.
Gift cards can be sent to:
Oakland Leadership Center
P.O. Box 18711, Oakland, CA 94619
