Community Meal

Beloved Community,

This Sunday we celebrate Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit rushed in like wind and fire, filling a room full of ordinary people who went on to do extraordinary things.

This week, I have been holding onto this story, and it was on my heart and mind as I witnessed it come alive last night. 

Join me for a night at our Wednesday Community Meal.

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Thwack, tap-tap-tap, Splash, gurgle. The sounds that filled the kitchen yesterday afternoon. 

“Behind,” Brother River called out, passing behind me, hands full of veggies. Water splashed, the drain gurgled, as Myrriah worked through the growing pile of dishes, as the rest of us moved through the ingredients for rice, salad, Chicken Tinola, and Veggie Sisig.

As soon as the cooks and prep leaders arrived, off of work, out of traffic, the kitchen came alive. Sizzling, whirling. Bodies moving. The goal? Meals cooked and ready by 5:30 pm. 

We were a skeletal crew. Some volunteers had work emergencies, and others had planned time away. Stakes were high, and the clock was running down. Every 30 minutes or so, someone called out time check. And yet, even amid the pressure, people were sharing their days and weeks, laughing, and swapping stories about work and home. Ingredients passed from hand to hand, cutting board to pot, as was the joy. 

Even with a time deadline, there was a buzzing of electricity. Brad, the Cook leader for the night, moved through the kitchen giving directions and encouragement. The food was basted in love. As time got down to the wire, front-of-house volunteers Madelyn & Deb moved into the kitchen to help out with bread, desserts, and stirring of one of the pots. Lauren helped instruct people on where to find things.

Yes, there was a bit of chaos, and there was a steady flow, with a palpable energy of excitement. And my heart was full, because when I looked around, this is what church looks like when the stakes are high, and help is needed, everyone gives everything they have.

The last dish was brought out by 5:40 PM. Ten minutes late and yet right on time. WOW. 

People excitedly looked on as they prepared to line up and wash their hands. Before we got started, we gave thanks, and a round of applause echoed through the fellowship hall for the volunteers and leaders who had brought everything together. We served 98 meals last night and yet so much more. 

As I made my way from table to table to greet folks, the Holy Spirit kept meeting me. 

I met a family who found us through a flyer at the Salvation Army, but unfortunately, the flyer had outdated information. When they showed up on Monday, a St. Matthew’s community member apologized and then invited them to the Wednesday Community Pantry & Community Meal. Yesterday was their second Wednesday at the Community Meal. The family shared that they plan to come back every Wednesday. 

One of our regulars greeted me with a glowing smile as she shared excitedly about her recent birthday. About how good it feels to eat meals cooked by others with love. She pulled me into a huge hug as she exclaimed how glad she was to be there.

As I was saying goodbye to someone filling their to-go container. The light in her eyes shined as she said, “You don’t know just how happy I am today. I started the day in prayer and all day the Holy Spirit kept showing up.” Her whole body emanated the joy she was describing. As she spoke about how God had been present with her since childhood, showing up in so many expected ways. I held onto every word, because I too was witnessing that same Holy Spirit, that very evening move through a kitchen filled with volunteers cooking a meal, to then spill out into the fellowship as the meal was served, shared and eaten amongst strangers and friends.

Near the end of the evening, I smiled as I spotted Sustainable Renton volunteers who had helped serve food at the food pantry earlier, now in line waiting to grab a quick bite to eat with the same community they had just served groceries to.

Yes, I wanted to shout, yes God a thousand times over. What a gift it is, to witness God's Kindom present in the church I am blessed to get to be a part of.

As volunteers swept and mopped the floors, Mark B. and I tended to the dishes, I couldn’t stop smiling. This night had been so tender to my heart and yet also quite full at the same time. Several of our long-time volunteers, who had been volunteering at the Community Meal since the Fall of 2025, mentioned the weeks ahead when they’d be away. And honestly a little worry began to creep in. We had just moved through a beautifully chaotic short-staffed night and knew how much it took. And as I looked around the room I was again reminded, of the Holy Spirit rushing into a room filled with disciples who had no idea just what was about to happen.

So, I am going to lean onto hope, hope that more people will feel the call to come and volunteer at the community meals. Hope that more people will notice how the Holy Spirit is moving in unexpected ways, even when everything feels chaotic. Hope that the food shared and served is a testimony of how love and God are showing up in the Renton community.

So as we make our way towards the season of Pentecost, I invite you to wonder alongside me:

• Where did you notice God showing up this week even when you weren't looking?
• Who has been the hands and feet of the Spirit for you lately?
• What would it look like to slow down long enough to recognize the sacred in the ordinary?
• Where is the Spirit inviting you to show up for someone else?

Pray with me,

Holy Spirit, open our eyes to where you're already moving.

In our neighborhood, amidst the chaos, and in our ordinary days.

Strengthen and guides us to be a church and community you are longing for us to be.

Amen.

Moved by the Holy Spirit,

Pastor Rachel