Food And Fellowship

Getting through to Sunday is a blessing in and of itself these days, but there are times when you can get to enjoy the day. The best and most common way to enjoy a Sunday is a good old fashioned Sunday Lunch/Dinner outing with family and friends. But with the current situation of Social Distancing, this presents its own unique challenges. Fortunately, there are ways to make a Sunday full of Food, Faith, and more...therefore, I would like to offer some ways to make this happen.

This idea is becoming more prevalent in bigger cities and for those with distant relatives in distant locations. The breakdown is as follows:

• Create a meal at your place of residence.
• Connect with a said family member(s).
• Converse while you are having your meal.

There are some pros and cons that go with this process. First the Pros:

1. Pro: Dining time takes on a new level of intimacy.
2. Pro: A chance to feel like you're at home and to possibly showcase a home-cooked meal.
3. Pro: Sharing of ideas and recipes along with other current events.

Now the Cons:

1. Con: Limitations of Equipment. This is under the assumption that both ends have stable internet connections and the same streaming/conference software along with the knowledge that comes with the use of the software (i.e. self-help on technical support).
2. Con: Lack of food based on personal/financial standing. This is an assumption that both parties are able to have food. If one side cooks and the other doesn't, it could cause a negative experience for the both of them; currently the best method is to plan ahead of time.
3. Homesickness. With the trying times ahead, the need to be around relatives. This may not be possible due to limitations of distance among other factors.

While the Pros and Cons are not limited to these, it's still an important option to consider, especially if planned for only once out of the week.

Another great form of fellowship is doing a Neighborhood Pot Luck... of sorts. Here you would exchange dishes to neighbors that live near you in an attempt to get to know them better. While this is different from the family aspect, it does help in breaking the ice and getting to know the people around your home. As with the first option, there are Pros and Cons:

1. Pro: This is a great method for getting to know those in your neighborhood.

2. Pro: Cooking for others gives you an opportunity to show off your skills or improve upon them.

3. Pro: You might get food in return! At the very least, you share with each other and get a chance to try out different dishes.

While the Pros are altrustic, the Cons are a bit more realistic.

1. Con: Not all neighbors would feel comfortable with this approach.

2. Con: Food allergies or certain dietary restrictions may make things awkward if given the wrong dish to a neighbor.

3. Con: Health issues in regards to how other people make their meals.

Always consider the Pros and Cons before taking this approach, as certain measures will need to be taken ahead of time.

This is a boon for businesses, especially in the South where buffet cafeterias are concerned, but doing this is another means of breaking the ice. Just as before, there are Pros and there are Cons. Starting with the Pros:

1. Don't have to cook yourself! Saving you much needed time and energy.

2. A centralized location for everyone. If all members involved are aware of the location, then it just boils down to meeting times; in this case, every other Sunday if not every Sunday.

3. Supporting Local businesses. . . albeit, that cafeteria/restaurant. It's good to keep that business going and in turn, it keeps the desire to provide quality service.

Now for the Cons:

1. Money. You'll have to fit the bill or get people to pitch in together to cover the costs. If they don't it falls to you.

2. Scheduling. Just like how it's a good thing to schedule a local place, not everyone can meet it; everyone has their lives to live and such things may not always fall in line with each other.

3. There may be restrictions in terms of dealing with community concerns (for instance, a remodeling of the local area or a pandemic) which prevents the use of that local business. While it's not the end of the world, it would require time and other locations, if at all.

Sunday is a day of rest and restoration. We work for up to six days out of the week and want to have a chance to fellowship (and for those like myself, give God His Praise). These are some ways for us to share our time together with family and friends. The first two can be done in the immediate home (regardless of the situation), but the last one will require time and coordination.

But lest we forget, remember: Love Thy Neighbor as you would Love Thyself. This is a way to show that love. Stay safe, dear Reader!