Personal Perspective: The Chapel Market Neighbors’ Dinner is Beautiful!

by Sung C. Yoo

Without understanding my role as a volunteer table host, I calmly entered the Good Samaritan Room with hidden curiosity about the Chapel Market dinner, held monthly by ELPC’s Neighbors Committee.

The minute I entered, I saw many volunteers who were busy setting up round tables with colorful tablecloths, placemats, silverware, china, and centerpieces with fresh flowers. The whole setting looked like a formal restaurant, which I did not expect for this occasion. A bit puzzled, I asked one volunteer, “Who is coming for this dinner?” The answer was “Neighbors,” meaning hungry people in the East Liberty neighborhood.

By dinnertime, the room was decorated and Christmas carols were playing. Soon, people of God started to arrive and take seats at any table of their choice—not by class level or looks, but in total equality. We were shoulder to shoulder in a warm and joyful environment. After the pastor prayed for the people and for the gathering and food, we all began to eat, talking at the same table, eating the same foods, and laughing together in loud voices with a delightful spirit. While observing this whole scene, I realized that Christians and the Church are for serving the needs of human beings, bonding with mutual respect, and forming friendship of genuine human community.

Thankfully, I received a woman who walked with difficulty, with a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, wearing a heavy coat and holding many bags. With assistance, she took a seat and ordered her food. When she started to eat, she began to talk about how this dinner was beautiful. Repeatedly she said that it was amazing to be there.

Listening, I asked her why this dinner was beautiful. Her answer was simple: beautiful serving with good food. She said that she had heard about this church a long time ago, but she had never been in it. But today as she passed by and saw the sign about dinner, she decided to walk in.

Through hearing her comments, I began to think about the hospitality of ELPC as it reflects Jesus’ teaching of the invitation for the poor and my own experiences in fixed cultural models. My traditional cultural views of the poor were totally different. But I remembered words Jesus taught: When you host supper, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, or other relatives, or your rich neighbors. But when you give a party, ask the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. (Luke 14:12–13) I was full of joy in hearing her say, “The neighbors’ dinner is beautiful!”