Almost six months ago a group of people started opening the church doors to feed the community, for free, every Friday night.
It's name became Upper Room Suppers, or URS. The hope to name this outreach something "Christian-y" was so people not aware of the Christian faith might ask what the name means, and thus opening the door to speak freely about our faith.
The Upper Room of course was used on Maundy Thursday, the day before Jesus' death - what we now refer to as the Last Supper between Jesus and His disciples.
Now, I don't participate every Friday with this mission but I attend at least once a month, speaking to the regulars, and welcoming the first time guests.
Needless to say I have never been approached by anyone regarding the name. But, I still hold out hope.
When the ministry started, there was huge debate among the church keepers of what this ministry, of cooking one meal a week, would do to our church facility usage fees. (Actually, another great concern was that "gangsters" would come eat a free meal and then go around the church campus and break all the windows.)
This debate was so great, that the ministry was put under a probation period by the church keepers, and six or eight months down the line from the first meal served, the Upper Room volunteers would have to "report" to the church keepers over its progress, how many people attend each week, and oh, yeah, the increased usage of the facility.
What I find interesting, is that each Friday, Upper Room requests at least ten volunteers to help run the show - and that's EVERY Friday night, which has been going on for six months now. I am sure you will agree with me that this is a lot of people that come to help and ensure that the ministry runs smoothly.
Wanna guess how many times the so-called "church keepers" have been to help volunteer during the past six months?
Well, you think, lots. Right? Because they were the ones who expressed so much concern over the new ministry.
But, you would be surprised to learn, not one of the keeps have shown up once to volunteer.
And, moreover, not one of the keepers have shown up once to even see what it is all about.
Does this remind you of any other organization? The government maybe? - Implementing so many limits and rules and constraints on a program, but not ever responsible enough to come and witness firsthand what these limits, rules, and constraints have on the actual program itself.
Jesus' Upper Room was also met with limits, rules, and constraints from outside governing Roman forces.
The parody of its name stake food ministry in today's time, is well, just coincidence, I am sure.
