I wonder what is memorable for you in the Sunday Morning Eucharist? For many it is something different each week. A particular prayer, taking communion, a wise or witty thought in a sermon, a piece of music or just a chance to pause at the end of a busy week. If I am honest, sometimes for me it can be none of the above. It may just be a chance to meet with people I know and love or those I have never known. That is often what happens at ‘coffee’.
Is that so strange or indeed out of tune with the meaning of the liturgy? I think not. After all there was much else consumed and spoken at the first ‘Lord’s Supper’. That said, the moment with the bread and the wine must have changed the conversation somewhat.
When we went into lockdown in March 2020 and started to worship online; Sally and I thought that there must still be a way to do church coffee. And so zoom coffee was born. 2 and a half years later members of the online congregation continue to meet. The conversation can range from the theology of the service to a special event in the week, a cultural recommendation, sharing joy or mutual support for people living through troubled times. Our online congregation meets in the Facebook Chat at Morning Prayer or Bread for the World, and then on Sundays some of them meet to drink coffee, face to face, we can’t sit at one table, but we create zoom rooms so it’s a ‘virtual table’.
All are welcome to coffee, and now, as we seek to get back to church in person more often it is great that some of those further from London are taking the lead. New hosts may be welcomed soon too. London church members are always welcome to join the magical gathering. Our community spreads wider than could ever have been imagined in March 2020. Those distanced by geography or other necessity are wonderful to get to know.
The zoom link is always the same and is in the Newsletter email, the Pipeline and the Facebook chat every week. This group is a great witness to Christ’s promise that ‘When two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them’. Our Lord did not say how the gathering might take place. I think he might rather enjoy Zoom on Sunday at from 1110-1200.
Andrew Caspari
