Christian Community

"We declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete" (1 John 1:3-4).

Ever had a neighborhood dinner or block party with a Christian twist? Neither had we.......until Friday night. And this party, mind you, was completely spur-of-the-moment. I suppose it's like the old Great Chicago fire -- I mean, someone had to start it, but we will never really know.

All the married seminarians live in townhomes around a quiet cul de sac near the lake, which lends itself to group functions and Christian camaraderie in general. Around 5:00 pm people started trickling in from school, work, and life's other duties to find grills flaming, corks popping, and steaks searing over an open flame. We pulled up picnic tables in front of the houses and all ate together (can you see the connection to the Heavenly banquet?!?). Later on, amidst much laughter and merrymaking, we built a bonfire for the kiddos and had s'mores. I promise you that spontaneous fellowship is a linchpin of the joie de vivre.

So what should you take to a last-minute gathering? If your larder is lacking, a cheese tray is always a good idea. And I don't mean something shoddy from the supermarche; I'm talking about a true experience from the carte de fromage! Plus, it's easy to always have these ingredients lying around, too.

What you'll need:

4 cheeses [two cow's milk, one sheep's, and one goat's milk. I prefer good Comte (hard cow), Stilton (soft cow), Manchego (sheep), and Rocomadour (goat)]

3 spreads [one fig, one strawberry, one apricot. Don't be cheap here; buy the good ones from reputable purveyors (i.e., Dean & Deluca or Stonewall Kitchens)]

good honey (comb included if possible)

1 Tbsp. of extra virgin olive oil (for drizzling over your hard cow's milk cheese)

Maldon sea salt (for your crostini)

crakers (Carr's table wafers are fine)

crostini (always have a Costco frozen baguette in your freezer for this. Cut into 1/4 inch slices, bath in basil infused oil, and bake on 425 till crispy. Top with Maldon)

basil infused olive oil (for making crostini)

Simply arrange these ingredients in any aesthetically pleasing manner and enjoy.

If you're clever, you'll see that I put this post under a verse of Scripture, under a rubric if you will. I did this on purpose, for I really want, in the words of the author, "our joy to be complete." Of course, cheese cannot completely give us joy in and of itself. It wouldn't be much fun to make and eat this alone.

So here's a little bit of good theology. A genuine Christian community, not pie in the sky utopia, is essential for us. Whether that means we party with our neighbors or not is really not the locus of what I'm saying. The main point is thus: we find our true identity in the Jesus Christ, who calls all of us into a relationship with Himself and one another. That's what we mean when we pray:

Rejoicing in the fellowship of the ever-blessed Virgin Mary and all the saints, let us commend ourselves, and one another, and all our lives to Christ our God (Prayers of the People, BCP p. 391).

May it be so.