Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. – Romans 15:7
A milkshake, a straw, and a spoon?
Upon our arrival at Saint Luke UMC in Laurinburg back in June 2010, we had unloaded the U-Haul and were taking a break from the pace of the day. Church members had overwhelmed us with help unloading the boxes. A ‘pounding’ had occurred in our kitchen with food and meals for our opening days in a new place of ministry.
During that first move-in day, Mrs. Tanya showed up after dinner with Cookout milkshakes for our two sons, Jacob and Joshua. At that point in our journeys, we had never experienced a Cookout shake, and given it was July in North Carolina, milkshakes were a hit! Mrs. Tanya’s gracious welcome and tutorial on how to enjoy a milkshake with a spoon, became the start of a new chapter for our family, as we were thoroughly absorbed by the Saint Luke family. It’s a moment that has been repeated in all of our arrivals to a new appointment, where lay members have repeatedly embodied Paul’s words: Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
That moment in the parsonage with milkshakes thick enough for a spoon, delivered by Mrs. Tanya, is now a beloved memory for all of us, reminding us of the graceful hospitality we experienced alongside a new sister in Christ.
Graceful hospitality has long been in the DNA of Saint Luke, all the way back to their $10 Club start in 1966. We give thanks to God for the $10 Club, as this embodies the joy that we can do more together.
Thank you, Lord, for the ways you nudge us to welcome one another. Fill us with your welcoming spirit as we share your love in our workplaces, in our churches, on a Zoom call, and perhaps through a milkshake. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Rev. David Blackman serves as the Beacon District Superintendent.
Our theme for this year’s Lenten reflections is Graceful Hospitality. 2023 marks the 70th anniversary of the Ten Dollar Club, now known as the New Room Society. We give thanks for our Conference’s ongoing commitment to co-creating new places for new people to gather in communion with Jesus Christ and extending graceful hospitality to all of God’s children.