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Sharing the Feast
In a few weeks, we will once again gather for feast and ceremony at what has become known as Share the Feast. We have been gathering to celebrate the birth of the Chosen One (the Messiah, Jesus) and culture for a few years now as Pinaaz-i Zibi Maamawi – Traveling the River Together.
Share the Feast has been a place for sharing a meal while sharing stories. The pandemic highlighted the importance of ceremony and gathering as our community struggled with isolation. So it has become important to provide a welcome and safe place to gather. In addition, there are practical needs as food, fuel and heating costs have continued to rise in the aftermath of the pandemic – needs we strive to meet through partnerships with the local Food Bank and Family Well Being services in the community.
The Gathering itself is a partnership with various people of peace we've developed relationships with over the years who are open to the messengers of Creator Sets Free (Jesus), as found in Luke 10 and Matthew 10. As we have shared our lives, have accepted their hospitality and engaged culturally; as we “share food and drink with them” and “eat whatever they set before (us),” we seek to be ambassadors of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:11-21) and be Creator Sets Free (Jesus) as we sit at the drum, Powwow and ceremonies, the healing circles, and serve the community.
Traveling the River Together, through Share the Feast and other gatherings, and community engagement has grown to become a place of healing and community, serving those present and, together, caring for others in our community through the food drive. We have been honoured and blessed to be able to serve many who would never set foot in a church, but have been drawn by the Spirit’s light of the fire or the sound of the drum. As we gather around the table, the invitation is given to share stories. It is something to witness as once the stories start, they seem to effortlessly flow around the circle. Stories of family Christmases, of winter and Christmas traditions and of hurts and questions. As a visiting grandmother shared, she does not celebrate Christmas due to her experiences as a child, but she believes the love of the Creator is something that needs to be shared all year round. We were at once honoured and humbled as we listened to her story. Share the Feast is but one opportunity to share and serve our community that inspires those present to share Creator's love, to honour the Great Spirit (Creator), Creator Sets Free (Jesus) and serve our community in our day-to-day lives.
Please pray with us:
- To many people and to others who follow Creator Sets Free (Jesus), Christianity, culture and tradition are obstacles that seek to separate and prevent community. Help us and others who are traveling with us to see past the labels and see only Jesus and the hearts of others who share in the image of the Creator. Help us to be ambassadors for Christ, to be Jesus in our communities and sit at the well (John 4), the table (Mark 2:15-16), and the drum.
- Pray that the Spirit continues to call others to partner with us in prayer and in person as we learn and seek to travel the river together with the Creator and each other in peace, friendship, and goodwill.
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