Summer Cafe

Our church last summer started a summer cafe for kids and families in our community. We provide a meal for the children in our community who are at home during the summer. On Wednesday's at 11am a few volunteers serve meals to around 60 kids. Some are from the community, some come from the summer education program at the elementary school. We want to provide these kids with a good meal. Ultimately we want them to know we love the people of our community, we are a part of this community and we want them to know God loves them.
One of the dangers for our church is the fact that we know how to feed the community but we don't always know how to be a part of the community. It is easy for the volunteers to serve the kids and then stand back, watch them eat and leave (I have done that). What if the church is called to not only feed but to "get up in people business?" I tell my congregation that it is my job to be in their business. In other words, the church is called to make the communities problems our problems. To make the trials that kids face our trials. We are called not stand far off while children eat what we have provided, but to grab a plate, sit with them and talk with them. All great events begin (and end) with a meal. So be a part (not apart).

Mark