What fun it is to guest write for “Peace of Peace” this month. Over the past year or so I have had the joy of becoming more involved in Peace of Bread, and I have been so blessed by the experience. I am amazed by the incredible community of people who gather each week to eat, fellowship and pray. And I can’t help but thinking that this is what church is meant to be like – people gathered together out of love, to worship God and to serve one another. I am overwhelmed by the amount of love and compassion that is shown each week, and I am humbled by the men and women of faith that I have met sitting around the dinner table who have been through so much and yet have the strength to persevere. I love that we gather each week to share a meal, sing happy birthday and celebrate victories together, and that we can uplift each other in prayer when things are hard.
I must admit that when I started attending Peace of Bread, I went thinking that I could help these people and that I had something to offer them. And yes, that is true to an extent, but I have been amazed at how much this community has given and taught me. I have been blessed by new friends, have been rejuvenated by playing with the laughing children, and have been strengthened in my own faith by the prayers and testimonies of those who have been on this journey longer than I have.
I want to say “thank you” to all of you for whatever part you play in this incredible community. Whether you help out in the kitchen, volunteer behind the scenes or financially support this ministry, know that we couldn’t do it without you. But also know that Peace of Bread is more than just a place where people come to be fed. It is also a family that loves and cares for one another, and there is room in that family for you as well! I hope that you will take the chance and open yourself up to experiencing the joy of being a part of this community. I promise that you won’t regret it!
Pastor Renn