- From the Director
- Website Survey
- Volunteer Appreciation Brunch
- Welcome to Luz
- April Schedule
Dear Friends,
When we were planning for this year’s winter season, we were planning for a “normal” winter to come. We planned to serve lunch at indoor sites because surely there would be snow and ice… and wouldn’t it be nice to share a meal together while watching the snow on the other side of the window? Well, while it has been marvelous to eat inside with folks (thank you to Christ on Capitol Hill, Godtown Outreach, and Bethlehem for providing those sites!) the weather outside was mild and quite pleasant, and sometimes we wished we were already outside. We kept saying to ourselves – maybe we should just bring the food truck out early? Whenever we said so, someone would inevitably say “don’t do it – there will be a snow storm as soon as you do!” Maybe we should have listened? After weeks of lovely weather, we brought the food truck out… just a few days before the snowstorm at the end of March. And God laughed! (And so did we.)
It makes me think of the pattern in my life that a plan is made, and then it’s almost inevitably changed. It’s made me think that plans are meant to be changed, re-interpreted, or shifted – that way they remain alive and relevant to the context and community around them.
Recently, there was a piece of the plan for Shobi’s Table that went back to the drawing board for just that reason – to ensure it was still what we needed: the Mission and Vision statements. In 2018, the original Board of Directors had a brainstorming session to come up with Vision and Mission statements. They were created even before any programming began, with the intention to shape our meal ministry as it unfolded. Time has passed, and we are now in solid rhythms of cooking and eating together four times a week. It was time to revisit the Mission and Vision statements!
Last year, one of our community members, Esther Sianipar, approached me to see if she could use Shobi’s Table as a context study for her master’s thesis at Luther Seminary. It turned into a wonderful opportunity to invite her in as our Theologian in Residence, and have her lead us in some discernment exercises that included the Mission and Vision statements. (Look for a blog post in May from Esther about the process!)
It was a marvelous time with the staff and board working together to reflect on this ministry’s call in our neighborhoods. We had the opportunity to root ourselves in scripture, ask good questions, offer affirmations, and name what Shobi’s Table has and continues to become. I’m proud to say we came up with new statements that reflect our current moment of life together, and that will guide our journey as we continue to say Yes!
Mission: Shobi’s Table is a common table where all are fed in body and soul.
Vision: Shobi’s Table celebrates a just and merciful world where all have access to nutritious food and loving community.
I am so grateful to be part of this common table with you. One of the words in our Vision statement that came to us at the very end of our process was “celebrate a just and merciful world”. Originally we had “strive for”, and while that is certainly what we do, “celebrate” felt like a more expansive and inclusive term of what we actually do together. We work hard to set the table every week, but we also step back and know that it is God who is the one who does that work first, and we get to celebrate how God is creating a just and merciful world before our very eyes. Thank you for being part of it!
In God’s Peace,
Deacon Kari
Help us Improve!
Shobi’s Table is working on our website, please take a couple of minutes to take this survey to help us make it work for you!
Thank you! Keep an eye out for updates about the new and improved website!
VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION BRUNCH
If you’ve ever volunteered with Shobi’s Table in the kitchen or at the food truck (even once!) we’d love to have you for brunch on April 6th at 10:30am to say THANK YOU!
on Capitol Hill 105 University Ave W St Paul, MN 55103. Brunch will be served in the Fellowship Hall.
Please RSVP to at the link below or by email at info@shobistable.org by April 3rd.
Welcome Luz, Shobi’s Table New Kitchen Manager
This week we welcomed Luz Sharp to the Shobi’s Table team! She comes to us with a wealth of kitchen and community experience and is excited to be part of the ministry. Please stop by for lunch or a volunteer shift this month and welcome her to the team!
OUR BIG BLUE TRUCK IS BACK!
