I was proud this past week when I introduced the speaker for our District 2 Disciples' Clergy monthly gathering. She was none other than our own, Cathy Hakala-Ausperk. Cathy was there to share her experience with our "Meet the Neighbors" monthly meals. She was prepared with statistics of numbers of meals served, dollars spent and donated, volunteers, etc. But her presentation was less about numbers and more about the spirit of the meal, the feel of the room, the people who have been served, and the people who serve. We showed the new DVD "Disciples Christian Changes Lives" that includes testimonials from those who have been touched by this effort.


We certainly are not alone among Cleveland area Disciples who serve free community meals. One pastor from Lorain said that people begin lining up for their evening meal at 8:00 in the morning! And those who are not currently serving meals were interested in how to begin their own feeding ministries. There is so much hunger. For food. For community. For God.


This evening at 5:00 Fellowship Hall will begin to fill, and Cathy and her staff of volunteers will serve a bountiful meal. The delicious aroma of the food will waft its way down the hall to my office, and I'll realize my own hunger. For food? Sure. But more than that, I'll be hungry to be part of the community that will stay long past the time it takes to clean their plates. I know it's where I will find God today.


Who is the guest? Who is the host? I think we are all guests, and the host is Jesus Christ himself.

Blessings -
Pastor Kris



A suggestion to guide your prayers today -- for our meal this evening, for the various feeding ministries in Cleveland Heights and greater Cleveland. For the miracle of loaves and fishes -- that all will be fed.