Tags
community, friends, NaBloPoMo May, nourish, orange groves, parish picnic, pot luck, spirit, St. Paul's Episcopal Church -- Visalia
Today was a nourishment-filled day! The occasion was our annual church picnic, held each spring at the home of a dear friend who lives in the middle of an orange grove in a tiny town nearby. As with most good picnics, this one was pot-luck (truly pot-luck, as we hate being over-organized and don’t plan out the dishes ahead of time); there was a wonderful variety of food, including made-from-scratch chocolate cake and warm pasta salad with potatoes.
So often at church, even with coffee hour afterwards, there isn’t really time to have deep conversations. But today our group of twenty or so had the luxury of sitting and chatting for ages over delicious food with compatible companions. The conversational groupings ebbed and flowed as people moved from inside the house to outside and back again. Even Mother Nature cooperated. Hummingbirds visited the feeder constantly; the dog was gentle and child-friendly; and the children contentedly munched on watermelon, strawberries, and oranges fresh from the tree while exploring previously unvisited territory.
We headed home refreshed by the time spent with friends and away from electronics and phones. And rather than being tired out by preparing for her visitors, our hostess wondered aloud whether we should do this again in the fall. Yes, please!
praw27 said:
My aunt, who is celebrating her 98th birthday today, always says that meals are not just about the food, they are about the camaraderie. I have found that no matter what I am eating, I enjoy it more when I am sharing it with soul-filled friends! I am glad you had a wonderful day! Phyl
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momfawn said:
Happy birthday to your aunt today…98 is pretty impressive. Food with friends tastes better! – Fawn
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swo8 said:
I belong to a choir at our Church and we always have a meal after the mass. It also gives us time to catch up on news from all our friends from week to week.
Leslie
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momfawn said:
We generally have an extended coffee hour right after church, but it still doesn’t give time for in-depth conversations. Lunch each week would be lovely. – Fawn
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rgemom said:
Our growth group shares a meal and conversation every Sunday evening. Eating together forms community and camaraderie. Sounds like an amazing and peaceful day.
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