Gather In My Name

Sometimes things come together at the perfect time. Melinda was looking for some ideas that could re-energize the adult discipleship and women’s ministries at her church – Westminster Presbyterian in Lubbock, TX – where she is an elder. Her church community is very strong, but naturally programs need to be changed up from time to time to keep them fresh. Additionally, the church wanted to find a way better utilize some park land that it owns directly across the street from the sanctuary. Because there weren’t any benches or tables out there, the park was rarely being used. It turns out that the answer for both of these needs was The Turquoise Table.

Melinda came to Austin in March to visit her daughter, and we had the opportunity to meet. I shared with her a little about The Turquoise Table movement, and Melinda took the idea back to her church. They decided that three Turquoise Tables would be a perfect addition to the park land, to be utilized for a variety of church activities.

“We got a group together to cast the vision for our Turquoise Tables, and it really took off from there,” says Melinda. “Even getting the tables ready for use was a community affair. We had the tables delivered and held a painting event where 20 or so people showed up to sand and paint. We even had one young mom holding a baby in one hand and a paint brush in the other – it was a great sight to see.”

A scripture verse was added to the top of each table, and they were strategically placed in the park to be used by groups of up to 30 people. The Turquoise Tables recently hosted a church book club study and the turnout was tremendous. Now Westminster Presbyterian can use the tables for small group meetings, Sunday School classes, church picnics, and much more. The greater Lubbock community is welcome to use the tables for gatherings as well.

“One of the tables displays the Bible verse Matthew 18:20 ‘For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them,’ and that really says it all,” Melinda says. “The Church is about building community in Christ and gathering in fellowship, and the Turquoise Tables perfectly suit these purposes. Everyone has been enjoying the tables tremendously, and they have added a new dimension to our programs.”

Melinda has also shared the Turquoise Table idea with her friends far and wide. I love so much that tables are springing up everywhere, as one table owner inspires another. It is a reminder that our connections to each other are as close as across the street, but also as far as across town, across the state, and across the country!