Around the Table

With Raph and Sarah Cretegny

I remember when shopping for our first dining table, Raph always wanted to make sure it was big enough, even before having our 3 kids! Must be his Swiss farming upbringing, where efficiency and extended family gatherings are key life values. So we have an extendable dining table that comfortably sits 12, as well as many more tables - collapsible, outdoor, mosaic, coffee, apero tables and another breakfast table.

As a family of 5, we are never far from a table. Our table is usually functioning, i.e. something is on it, stuck to it or someone is hiding under it! This year our table has been used for painting, for puzzles, for homeschooling, for playing board games, oh yes and eating from, and a place to fold many piles of laundry. We have shared plenty of smiles, grown in our creativity, battled with frustration, cried many tears, tried our best to play fair, learnt about ourselves and how to love each other more, around the table.

Before 2020, we loved to have a table that was full of people; new and old friends, family, neighbours, guests, anyone really, and we would happily hang out around it together sharing life, sometimes small things, other times bigger things, praying, debating or celebrating, we could always find a reason if indeed we needed one.

Lockdown meant we have had a more virtual table, attempting to keep community real through Zoom when we had the energy, but realising it’s not easy, and it’s so strange to think that there are many people we’re still to meet in person. We long for the day we will enjoy time together around a table together as a body. It will be great, messy, noisy, in one spirit. Seeing others and being seen, loving and encouraging each other, finding a place to belong through the grace of God and just by being ourselves. Oh what a hope we have in Jesus.

1 Corinthains 12:4-6 says, “It is the same Holy Spirit who continues to distribute many different varieties of gifts. The Lord Yahweh is one, and he is the one who apportions to believers different varieties of ministries. The same God distributes different kinds of miracles that accomplish different results through each believer’s gift and ministry as he energizes and activates them.”

(...everyBODY around the table)

Together we are the church, part of a body that God can shine through. Together, all chosen, all different - ages, sizes, personalities, stage in life - but together in one heart, we pray God’s kingdom will advance for all to see.

So looking to the future, we long to live in community again, whether just for a quick drink, sharing an easy meal, or a slightly burnt homemade cookie. The ‘what’ we eat has never been that important, but the ‘who’ and the sharing has.

‬We look forward to taking a seat at a table together and sharing life, praying together with you soon. God willing very soon. The table may be sticky, and scratched in places but it will always be ready to help us share a genuine heartfelt moment together.

Join us as we continue to explore the theme of A Seat at the Table this month at C3 London at 10:00 on Sundays on Youtube.

Visit our channel here.