The Best Supper © Jan L. Richardson
This Sunday is World Communion Sunday. Established by the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 1936 and originally called World Wide Communion Sunday, this day beckons us to be mindful that when we gather at the table, we celebrate not only with those present but also with sisters and brothers around the world.
The artwork above is a piece called The Best Supper. Inspired by the image of Wisdom’s Feast in Proverbs 9, this piece evokes the myriad meals that have fed me in body and soul. As I created this image, I was visited by memories of so many of the tables where I have found hospitality. Those memories are embedded among the pieces of this collage. Circling the table once again, I capture glimpses of those with whom I shared those sacred meals. I remember how we savored every scrap, how we lingered long after the last bite was consumed.
Table Blessing
To your table
you bid us come.
You have set the places,
you have poured the wine,
and there is always room,
you say,
for one more.And so we come.
From the streets
and from the alleys
we come.From the deserts
and from the hills
we come.From the ravages of poverty
and from the palaces of privilege
we come.Running,
limping,
carried,
we come.We are bloodied with our wars,
we are wearied with our wounds,
we carry our dead within us,
and we reckon with their ghosts.We hold the seeds of healing,
we dream of a new creation,
we know the things
that make for peace,
and we struggle to give them wings.And yet, to your table
we come.
Hungering for your bread,
we come;
thirsting for your wine,
we come;
singing your song
in every language,
speaking your name
in every tongue,
in conflict and in communion,
in discord and in desire,
we come,
O God of Wisdom,
we come
Prayer © Jan L. Richardson from In Wisdom’s Path: Discovering the Sacred in Every Season.
To use this image, please visit this page at janrichardsonimages.com. Your use of janrichardsonimages.com helps make the ministry of The Painted Prayerbook possible. Thank you!
Prints of The Best Supper and other images are available by visiting the Color Prints page at janrichardson.com. We have greeting cards, too!
September 29, 2009 at 8:38 pm |
Hi Jan,
I would like to read your poem as part of my meditation this Sunday at
Waterloo Kitchener United Mennonite Church. I would, of course, credit your
authorship.
Do I have permission to do this?
Nancy
September 29, 2009 at 10:35 pm |
Hi, Nancy–
Absolutely! I’d be delighted for you to do this, thanks. Blessings as you prepare for worship.
Peace,
Jan
September 30, 2009 at 10:16 am |
Jan,
I too would like to use your poem as part of our Worship Service this Sunday at Stinson UMC in southern WV. I will, of course, proudly footnote your creativity if you will offer me your permission.
Grace and Peace,
Scott
September 30, 2009 at 10:38 am |
Thanks, Scott—I’d be happy for you to use this on Sunday–many thanks. If there’s anybody else who would like to use this poem/prayer, please feel free. If you use it in printed form, thanks for including this line at the end of it:
© Jan L. Richardson, In Wisdom’s Path: Discovering the Sacred in Every Season
Blessings to everyone who’s preparing for worship on Sunday!
September 30, 2009 at 11:50 pm |
Greetings Jan!
What a gift you have given us! This poem is a blessing. Like others, I’m preparing for worship this Sunday. I’d like to use your poem in our Progressive Christian Worship Service on the campus of St. Lawrence University, Canton, New York. As others have mentioned, I will of course credit your authorship as well.
Is that ok?
Peace to you,
Shaun
October 1, 2009 at 12:03 am |
Thanks, Shaun! Yes—I’d be delighted for you to do this. Many blessings to you and your community.
October 1, 2009 at 4:59 pm |
Hello Jan,
I have just stumbled upon this web site and am inspired by your poem.
I am requesting permission to use it as a call the the Table this year or next year for Holy Communion at Oak Bank United Church in Manitoba, Canada.
Your work will be attributed. Thank you and blessings, Alberta
October 1, 2009 at 5:46 pm |
Many thanks, Alberta! I’m pleased for you to use this. Many blessings to you.
October 1, 2009 at 7:22 pm |
I, like the others who have sought your permission to use this poem, find it quite moving. I am at Ocean Avenue Presbyterian Church in San Francisco, and will of course attribute it to you.
Blessings,
Susan
October 1, 2009 at 11:10 pm |
Thanks so much, Susan. Blessings to you.
October 2, 2009 at 5:02 am |
Dear Jan,
Thank you for sharing your beautiful poem and what appears to be a collage with the world. I am seeking permission to share your poem with others as I speak. I wish to read the poem and show the collage at Stephen Minister worship and Food Pantry volunteer training at Arborlawn United Methodist Church on Sunday, October 4, 2009. I would like to refer to the poem and collage thereafter to remind volunteers about what they are really doing as they work in the Food Pantry. I will be certain to give credit to you.
Continue in all God’s work.
Judy Ruth Williamson
October 2, 2009 at 10:02 am |
Many thanks, Judy Ruth. I’m pleased for you to use the poem and collage in this way.
For anyone who would like to use the image “The Best Supper” in worship or a related setting—for instance, on a worship bulletin or projected during a service—I welcome you to visit janrichardsonimages.com, a website designed to make my artwork easily accessible for use in worship, education, etc. Your use of this website is a crucial form of patronage that helps make my ministry, including this blog, possible. Thank you!
October 2, 2009 at 5:21 pm |
Jan,
I too would like to use your poem this Sunday. Your Poem is beautiful, and captures the essence of World Communion so well. I would like to use it as an invitation to the table at the beginning of Holy Communion also. Thank you for your generosity and your creative gift. Blessings, Karen
October 2, 2009 at 10:53 pm |
Thank you, Karen! I’m grateful for your words—they are manna on my path. Blessings to you and your congregation as you celebrate World Communion Sunday and beyond.
October 3, 2009 at 12:06 pm |
Jan, love the poem! We would like to use this tomorrow. We will most like make it a responsive reading. How beautiful. You are a blessing. Lisa
October 3, 2009 at 12:16 pm |
Thanks very kindly, Lisa! Have a wondrous Sunday.
October 3, 2009 at 2:12 pm |
This is a wonderful poem I would like to use at Community Baptist Church this Sunday, with your permission. All of your work is so wonderful!
October 3, 2009 at 3:14 pm |
Many thanks, Barbara! I’m delighted for you to use the poem. Blessings to you and the folks of Community Baptist.
October 3, 2009 at 10:23 pm |
Hi Jan. This is a beautiful prayer. I would like your permission to use it in our service tomorrow at St. Andrews /St. James Presbyterian churches in Tisdale and Melfort Saskatchewan Canada.
Blessings to you!!!
David
October 3, 2009 at 11:12 pm |
Many kind thanks, David. Yes—I’m pleased for you to use this in worship. Many blessings to you and the folks of St. Andrews/St. James as you celebrate tomorrow.