The 10 Year Plan: Everyday Life in D.C. #5 (Part 1 of 2)

During Year 3 here in D.C., one of our activities has been volunteering to serve a weekly lunch at our church. Volunteering has been both fun and rewarding in many ways. Below is an article about the weekly lunch from the latest church newsletter (Sept./Oct. 2018).

Grace's Table: An Impact Ministry of Grace Church

Grace Church, the only religious institution in Lower Georgetown, has long hosted Grace's Table, a weekly hot lunch with interfaith Bible study for 50+ friends and neighbors who are homeless or at the margins of homelessness.

Lunch and Bible Study: Each Saturday, guests arrive at the Fellowship Hall for respite from life on the street and relief from the weather. Guests enjoy a cold drink or cup of hot coffee, talk with acquaintances, and eat their fill of a balanced meal-an entrée, salad, bread, and dessert. Guests who opt to remain after the meal participate in Bible study-usually a spirited discussion about how Bible readings relate to everyday life.

Impact: Grace's Table is an outreach ministry with a positive impact on both those who are served and those who serve. Guests arrive hungry and tired, but they depart restored by nutritious food, warm conversation, and sharing the Word. Just as guests are restored, volunteers are restored by the knowledge that they made an immediate positive impact on the lives of our neighbors in need.

Volunteering: Grace's Table needs your help to thrive. Grace's Table succeeds because many caring volunteers generously give their time, talent, and money to this ministry.

Who? Volunteers include members of Grace Church, students from Georgetown University, parishioners from other churches like St. John's, and neighbors. The opportunity to volunteer is open to everyone. Some Grace Church volunteers bring their children, grandchildren, sorority members, or friends to help serve the meal. Recently, one volunteer enlisted two family members who were visiting D.C. They didn't anticipate volunteering, but the experience at Grace's Table enriched their visit.

What? You can help in different ways. Meal delivery on Saturday morning is one option-a hot entrée to serve 50+ people, a large salad, bread, and a dessert are needed each week. Some volunteers provide the entire meal while others provide part of the meal. (The Coordinators will gladly find others to share the job of bringing the meal if someone volunteers to do part of it.) Homemade and store-bought food is welcome. One Grace Church parishioner enjoys bringing pies from Costco and the guests love eating those pies.

Another volunteer option is serving the meal. Volunteers arrive between 10:30 and 11:00 AM each Saturday. The meal and Bible study last an hour (11:30 - 12:30), with volunteers departing about 1:00 p.m. following cleanup.

Other members generously support the ministry with donations of supplies needed to operate Grace's Table, from coffee to plates, cups and utensils.

Learning More: To learn more about Grace's Table or to volunteer, please contact Susan Bendlin at (321) 230-2612 or email ssbendlin@hotmail.com. Susan and her husband Greg serve as Coordinators for Grace's Table.


In July, Abbott (of the EDOW Southern Africa Partnership Committee), David, and Susan joined members of the Cathedral Scholars Program and the EDOW Southern Partnership Committee at Grace's Table to observe the 100th anniversary of the birth of Nelson Mandela.