Community Dinner Church Celebrates One Year of Ministry in Southeast Gwinnett

By Nicole Meredith Fike,
Leader of The Table Community Dinner 

As the day approached, the excitement was uncontainable. The three-year journey to get here was in the shadows, and God’s "Yes" had firmly silenced the "No"s!

The long-term effects of the pandemic profoundly impacted the Southeast Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry (Co-Op) community. Seniors and single mothers who had already encountered social isolation before 2020 were subsequently burdened with grief, financial hardship, and food insecurity throughout and following the pandemic. A healing community dinner would bring hope to this hurting community.

After much prayer and preparation, in January of 2023, The Table Community Dinner had its first gathering at the Co-Op, where 60 neighbors shared a meal, music, and a message of hope. The following day, Martha enthusiastically shared her testimony about her experience with the Co-Op's clients.

“You get to meet people you don’t normally meet. We sang Amazing Grace. It was awesome!" she shared.

We continued to meet once a month on the third Thursday. By the spring, our attendance grew to 96. The summertime brought warmer weather and we held a celebration of six months together with a Jesus Story on prayer and snow cones. We gathered for a back-to-school celebration in August, where 25 kids were gifted school supplies and prayed over. The three-way partnership between the Co-Op, Lawrenceville First UMC, and Cannon UMC is bearing fruit.

Dra, a servant leader who wanted a behind-the-scenes role, approached me after June’s dinner and said, “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but ... I think I’m supposed to do a Jesus Story. And I think it should be on the Prodigal Son.”

Wow! This transformational experience is prominent at a table-centered gathering. We are living out Jesus’ command, “Do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19), following the discipleship model Jesus had in mind when he gathered with his disciples at Supper time!

We closed this first year with a Candlelight Christmas Community Dinner. The room was filled with joy and warmth as we sang Silent Night. I must admit this was my favorite part and a cherished memory. I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit in a mighty way that evening.

This January, we will celebrate one year together. This would not have been possible without the backing of our community partners and supporting churches. Thank you, and well done, good and faithful servants. I am waiting in anticipation of what God will do in the coming year!

Grace and Peace,
Nicole Meredith Fike

Learn more about Fresh Expressions like The Table Community Dinner Church at ngumc.org/freshexpressions.