October 1, 2025
October 1, 2025
Room for One More
“Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.”
- Romans 15:7 (NRSVUE)
Last Wednesday the choir hosted PUMC’s Fellowship Dinner, and if you were there, you might have noticed something different. Instead of the usual round tables that seat six or so, we set up long tables that could fit 10 - 16 people. The idea came from a brief exchange I had with our confirmation class a couple Sundays before.
I shared with the class how my faith journey was shaped by mentors in the church, many of them choir members, who cared deeply about my life and future. I even recounted a powerful conversation with one member who had marched in the Civil Rights Movement. I encouraged the students to open themselves to conversations with people of all ages in our congregation, and I highly recommended coming to our Fellowship Dinners to do just that.
Just then, at that very moment, I had a brief thought: often when my family came to those dinners, we sat alone at a round table, just the four of us, maybe with one or two others if we were lucky. It often felt like eating dinner at home, just in a different room.
“And when you come,” I blurted out to the class, “we should use those giant long tables instead of the round ones so you can talk with a lot more people than just your family!”
They gave me a weird look that said, this man has very strong feelings about furniture.
So last Wednesday, we tried it. And sure, the chairs were a little oversized for the tables - not quite like trying to park recliners at a card table, but close. But we made it work. The result? More conversations, more engagement, more noise, more spills…and more connection. Sometimes making space for people really does start with rearranging the furniture.
Because when we set a bigger table, both literally and spiritually, we discover that the conversations, laughter, and messy joy of fellowship that look a whole lot like the kingdom of God - where there is always room for one more at the table.
Reflection: If Jesus showed up at your next meal, would He find enough chairs pulled up for the neighbors, strangers, and friends He’s already placed in your path?
Prayer: Gracious God, thank You for always saving a seat for us at Your table. Give us eyes to notice who’s standing on the edges, waiting to be invited in. Help us push our chairs closer, add another plate, and not worry too much about the spills or the noise. May our tables, and our hearts, always be big enough to reflect Your love. Amen. With faith, hope, and love, Eric SmithMy First paragraph with bold text.