The Beauty of Warm Hospitality

Last weekend our son Conor was invited to a birthday party. It was his friend’s Dad’s 50th and they had invited him to come and stay overnight to share in the celebrations.

When I arrived to drop him off, there were quite a few cars down the road where they lived and, as we arrived, there was a great atmosphere. There was music playing in the garden where the young people were playing cricket in one section and the grownups were involved in a very enthusiastic game of musical chairs.

Conor and his friend, Arjun, have been friends from the age of 3 when they went to kindergarten together. When Arjun moved away, they stayed friends and still get together on their computers to play games at the weekend, and they visit each other over holidays.

Arjun’s family are from India and they are such warm and hospitable people. When I arrived for the drop off, they insisted I stay for a drink. As I surveyed all the fun going on in the garden, his mum assigned someone to get me a drink. Some one else came to welcome me and explained to other guests who I was. They in turn looked after me and, as we made conversation, it transpired that they had worked in the health service not far from where my mum lives. They had worked in Ireland north and south for over 20 years, working in emergency medicine. As we shared a nice conversation, they remarked to me that it must feel a little strange to be among so many people of different skin colour to my own. I hadn’t really noticed but, as they made that observation, I realised I was in fact the only person I could see in the garden with white skin.

Perhaps, in the light of the recent tension on our streets, the guests at the party suspected I may feel a little uncomfortable and went out of their way to make me feel looked after and at ease. We spoke about these challenging times, and I couldn’t help feeling so grateful for this incredibly beautiful community who have contributed so much to our society.

The next day, when I went back to collect Conor, Shiva, the birthday boy and his wife, Veena, insisted I go out to the car to get Vicky and Lucy. They sat us down and explained some of the foods they had assembled for us to try. They described the Indian equivalent of tapas, which I think is called Chaat and invited us to try some, which was delicious. Then, having ascertained I liked a little spice or heat, I was invited to try some Peethi Puri. These are little pastries with what seemed like a flavour ball of spice and flavour inside. I was shown how to eat them in one mouthful and the spices nearly took my breath away. It was such great fun to be shown such lovely hospitality and, to cool me down, they gave me a little bowl of mango cheesecake.

When you are not expecting any of this, there is something so kind and generous and beautiful when people invite, not just you, but your whole family to share their table. They tell you about their homeland and food and you realise the enormous sacrifices they have made to come and serve our community.

Hospitality is a very special gift and our friends are always so kind in how they show it to us.

Recently, the parish of St. Saviour’s Dollingstown hosted the Bible week. It’s a big event and, as I observed the parish team helping people park cars, serve refreshments, look after all the visitors and welcome everyone, it felt really special to be there. Hospitality shared as people came together to worship and hear the Word of God applied to our lives.

This weekend our own parish has the privilege of hosting a diocesan event coordinated by the Mothers’ Union. Members from every branch in the Diocese will be invited to come and sing a selection of their most popular hymns as voted for in a recent poll. Some of the ladies will share why they have chosen these hymns and what they mean to them. Our own Mothers’ Union will provide a supper and all are welcome at 7pm. In many ways, when hospitality is shared, it makes the love of God visible to the eyes of others. Even if people share different world views or perspectives, food breaks down barriers and we can share why we believe certain things or why they are important to us.

It helps us to engage on the purely human level and see what we share in common. It offers that safe space where people can learn from and enjoy one another’s company.

On Sunday week, the parish is hosting a soup lunch and there is a sign up sheet at the back of the church. There aren’t so many spaces left, so please sign up if you would like to come along. There is no admission charge, but donations are encouraged and they are going to be divided equally between parish funds and reaching out to assist our friends in the parish of Greenisland where, sadly, both the church and the hall received extensive damage in an arson attack at the weekend. Please remember the Rector, Reverend Dr. Isy Hawthorne-Steel and parishioners in prayer at a devastating time.

We hope that, again, you can come and share the hospitality that is extended to us through the amazing work of Heather Leckey and her team. May it be another occasion where we encounter the Risen Jesus through His presence in one another.

Look forward to speaking again soon.

Much love to everyone,

Jono.

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