A Place at the Table Update

A Place at the Table Update 

Whenever I write about A Place at The Table, I find the lyrics to “Sing A New Church” floating around in my head…. 

“Let us bring the gifts that differ and, in splendid, varied ways,

Sing a new church into being, one of faith and love and praise…

Draw together at one table all the human family;

Shape a circle ever wider and a people ever free.”

In its 16th year, A Place at the Table has continued to grow and evolve to meet the needs of the residents of Kasson and Mantorville.  The members of St. Peter’s – Kasson find themselves constantly discerning what the spirit is saying to them as they seek to engage God’s mission in this place.

While some changes over the years have been intentional, others have just “happened” in no small part due to the open communication lines that have been established with other people and organizations in the community.  Those include, but are not limited to, other churches, civic organizations, residents of sober living facilities, citizens in recovery, and recognition by the Dodge County Drug Court that St. Peter’s is a “safe” place.  

St. Peter’s has added a children’s “Play & Learn” program thanks to a generous grant from the Sheltering Arms Foundation. This has been highly successful and is now in its second year. 

The number of attendees each week has continued to climb. In 2010, the average number of people served per week was 35-40. Currently, the numbers have risen to a capacity crowd of 83 with an average of 64. 

St. Peter’s core belief that by taking their “table” to the community, their neighbors truly would become their friends” remains the hallmark of this “church” and continues to feed those involved in both body and soul.  

A Poem by A Place at the Table Regular Alan Pettey:

A community meal at St Peter’s Episcopal

It is a gathering for all people

It’s a free community meal

With that hometown feel

I don’t know where all the funds come from

But I never saw anybody have to eat crumbs

The meal is hosted by different community groups

Sometimes it even includes soup

Pat is quick with a task

The children only must ask

Becky always makes things run smooth

With endless experience to soothe

The kids are all happy and loud

The parents couldn’t be more proud

What a wonderful promotion

Wherever did they get such a notion

Where there’s no need to be ashamed of your faults

Of which we all have some, no doubt