Column: Come to ‘The Table’

Gina Johnson First Christian Church Pastor

In a world that grows louder by the day, many of us are trying to find ourselves in the middle of the noise. Between schedules, responsibilities, expectations and the quiet ache of disconnection, it’s easy to lose sight of who we are and even harder to find a moment of stillness long enough to remember.

This is why First Christian Church is opening something new for our community: The Table. Starting Dec. 3, on every Wednesday from 6 to 7 p.m. (doors open at 5:30), we will gather at 201 W. Third St. in the Fellowship Hall around good food, real people and true community.

The Table is, in its own way, a worship service but not in the traditional sense. Instead of a sanctuary with pews, The Table offers a family-dinner sanctuary, where people sit together, share a meal, talk, laugh and hear a message of encouragement in a space that feels warm, simple and real.

We honor our traditional Sunday worship deeply. At the same time, we recognize that some in our community haven’t always felt at home in formal church settings or carry pain from past experiences elsewhere.

The Table creates a place where belonging comes first, faith unfolds naturally and connection grows without pressure or expectation.

In my experience, something special happens when people gather around a table. Walls soften. Hearts reawaken. The noise of life calms for a moment, and people remember who they are. It’s a place where everyone has a seat and no one eats alone.

Each week offers a free meal, genuine conversation and an uplifting message. Whoever you are, no matter your story, you are welcome. If you’ve been searching for yourself in the midst of the noise or are just looking for a place to be in community, there’s a seat waiting for you.