For in Giving You Shall Receive

As happened last year, Sandwiches on Sunday coincided with the church's annual meeting, but the volunteers hid their disappointment well. The servers, including yours truly, served lasagna and salad to 75 people at the Fair Oaks Community Center.

Last year the number of “customers” averaged about 50, and 5 or 6 trays of lasagna were usually enough. Whether due to good fortune, intuition, or inspiration the cooks had prepared nine (9) lasagnas and six (6) bowls of salad. Added to the menu were day-old bread and rolls that a kind supermarket manager had set aside, and annual meeting leftovers that a parishioner thoughtfully dropped off. The large chocolate layer cake that was hardly touched met its fate that afternoon.

Although everyone thanks us individually as we scoop food onto the plates, more often than not someone makes a heartfelt thank-you speech to us as we are closing up. Today was no different. “You’re welcome” somehow seems inadequate, so we say “thank you for coming” or “we’re glad you could join us” as if they are giving us something, too. They are.