Lenten Speaker Series
Lenten Speaker Series: “Entertaining Angels (Heb. 13:2) — The Challenges of Gifts of Christian Hospitality
When the Old Testament patriarch Abram invited the Lord—in the form of three strangers—into his tent “that you may refresh yourselves” and received the promise that he and his wife Sarai would finally bear a son (Genesis 18:5), the people of God learned that hospitality is a divine relationship that brings as many blessings to the host as it does to the guest. For almost three centuries, the Early Church practiced home-centered hospitality until, in the fourth century, it founded hospitals, hostels, and even places of hospice. These methods of prayerful and thoughtful welcome are rooted in the letter to the Hebrews: “Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it (Heb. 13:1-2).”
And yet there are some people in our community who present challenges to our standard methods of welcome. How can we become agents of God’s welcome to those with special circumstances in a way that treasures them not with distancing condescension but with dignity and appreciation?
During this year’s Lenten Speaker series, we will learn about ways we can understand and engage with every dimension of the people of God who bring special gifts and challenges to His Church. On Wednesday evenings in Lent, we will worship together at 5:30 PM, enjoy a meal provided by one of our ministries at 6:00 PM, and then hear from various leaders of these communities:
- March 12: Carry each other’s burdens (Gal. 6:2): The Challenges and Gifts of Ministry with those Living with Dementia
Susannah Dwyer and MaryBeth Wilson from Abe’s Garden
Burgers provided by our Vestry - March 19: Everything in common (Acts 2:44): The Challenges and Gifts of Ministry with the Homeless
Bill Dennler, Rector of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Nashville and leader of The Church in the Yard
Chicken casseroles provided by the Daughters of the King - March 26: Liberty to the captives (Isaiah 61:1): The Challenges and Gifts of Ministry with Ex-Offenders
Dedra Campbell, Executive Director of FRESHStart Ministries and Associate Pastor to Children and Families at First United Methodist Church, Columbia
KFC provided by our Outreach Committee - April 2: A little child shall lead them (Isaiah 11:6): The Challenges and Gifts of Ministry with Families with Learning Differences
Shauna Pounders, Executive Director, The King’s Daughters’ School
Chili provided by the Choir and our Worship Leaders - April 9: A Peculiar People (1 Peter 2:9): Introducing a New Generation to the Pipe Organ
Peter Douglas, Director of Music Ministries at St. Peter’s
Low Country Boil provided by the Men’s Ministry
Our Lenten Suppers have played a vital role not only in forging closer ties among our parish family, but also in learning new way to expand our embrace to those outside our walls. Please invite your friends to join us as we learn how to embrace everyone who can help us learn how to love even more and better than we do.