Eating Together Faithfully: A Framework for Conversation is an ecumenical, community-based resource for congregations and communities to explore food and food systems from a Christian perspective. The Eating Together Faithfully (ETF) Framework takes participants through eight guided conversations, exploring the theological and practical implications of each of these topics for their lives, their communities, and our world.
ETF can be used by churches and seminaries who are just beginning the conversation about food and faith, as well as those who are already immersed in the conversation.
ETF can be used by anyone considering or involved in ministries such as: dinner church, fresh expressions, food justice and food ministries, health and wellbeing, community gardens, environment and creation care, local food systems, outreach and Christian formation, and church vitality.
Eating Together Faithfully (ETF) provides the framework for conversation for congregations who are interested in exploring how food, creation and spirituality may lead to deeper discipleship and vital ministries in their communities.
ETF provides a much-needed resource for congregations interested in looking at how they eat together in their church, their homes, and their community is a reflection of their understandings of faith, creation, justice and community.
ETF begins our conversations about food issues, not with the problems or a sense of hopelessness, but in our identity as followers of God the Creator of all that is good and healthy and abundant, of the Christ who became flesh and ate with all, and of the Spirit who is moving in new ways in our world today.
ETF can be used by churches who are just beginning the conversation about food and table, and those who are already immersed in the conversation.
ETF may be of special interest for those considering or involved in ministries such as: dinner church, fresh expressions, food justice and food ministries with the poor, health and wellbeing, community gardens, environment and creation care, local food systems, outreach and nourishing community, and church vitality.
A New Kind of Small Group Resource
Eating Together Faithfully: A Framework for Conversation is an ecumenical, experiential, community-based resource for use in congregations and communities.
ETF engages participants in the study and practice of a way of living based on Food that LAUGHS:
L ocal / incarnation
A ffordable / grace
U ncomplicated / ordinary made holy
G ood / justice
H ealthy / flourishing
S easonal / time and liturgy
Through eight conversations, participants explore the theological and practical implications of each of these words for their lives, their communities, and our world. Over simple meals together around the table and through guided study, participants discover what it means to eat with God’s intentions for all creation in mind.
Ready to use ETF in your community?
Any and all are welcome to use these resources for the enrichment of their community (church, congregations, school, classroom, etc.) at no cost. However, if you use any of the images, illustrations, or artwork, please credit Marianne Maschal.
You can download the full 8-conversation ETF Framework pdf here for free: ETF Framework for Conversation 2022 online version
Would you like to order hard copies of the ETF Framework? (The only cost is shipping) Please email Stephanie Campbell at stephanie@lifearoundthetable.org.
You can also download the free Facilitator Guide, which includes tips, suggestions, and important considerations for leading your ETF group, here: Facilitator Guide Summer 2022 (pdf), Facilitator Guide Summer 2022 (docx)
Over the last few years as we’ve continued to learn and receive feedback on the ETF Framework, we began compiling resources for a potential second edition. While this project was never completed, we thought ETF groups still might benefit from the resources we did collect. Here you can download those additional and supplementary resources as well as posts from our online platform for continued learning: ETF Revisions and Resources (docx), ETF Revisions and Resources(pdf)
If you are and educator and are interested in using ETF in the classroom, please consult our white paper summary and appendix for our experience of leading a semester-long, graduate level ETF course with Dr. Fred Edie at Duke Divinity School in the spring of 2020: ETF DDS Spring 2020_ White Paper (1) (1), APPENDIX_ ETF DDS White Paper
Questions?
Please contact Rev. Stephanie Campbell: stephanie@lifearoundthetable.org