Room at the Table

One of the foundational themes at Linwood House Ministries is unconditional love and grace. Not because they are our theme but rather that they are the Kingdom theme, the heart of God, the message of the Gospel and Jesus.

Mike Todd, Executive Director, has a huge heart for justice, living out this message. Gwen McVicker, President, is passionate about justice – God’s view of justice and freedom for suffering women. Our team in the downtown eastside gives, and gives, and gives, to walk the journey with women they are in relationship with. This is a journey about healing, freedom and justice.

In the kitchen at Linwood House, or the dining room, the theme at the table is also about freedom, healing and justice. I have been reading through Robert C. Morgan’s book “Who’s Coming to Dinner?” The following excerpt from that book seemed to give yet another piece on this subject of meals, justice, and those who with fight for the downtrodden (Jesus theme of ministry):

Words inscribed on the grave of Dag Hammarskjold: “Justice must be done. Every human being deserves justice. Some people are powerless to attain what is equitable and fair in life. It behooves the person of faith and conscience to stand with those who are treated unjustly.”

Robert C. Morgan goes on to say: “I remember singing around the campfire an old spiritual ‘Plenty Good Room.’. The words mean more to me now than they did when I was a teenager. ‘Plenty good room in ma Father’s Kingdom, just choose your seat and sit down.’ The African-American slaves sang the spiritual when they were denied a place in society. They longed for the time when they would have a ‘place at the table.’
Once when Jesus was the dinner guest in the home of a Pharisee, he made known, in dramatic terms, his concern for love and justice.
Late in the afternoon, while Jesus was speaking on the theme of sincerity, he was interrupted by a heckler. The rude heckler was the Pharisee who later that evening because Jesus’ dinner host. Jesus was accustomed to interruptions, but this marked the first time a heckler invited him to supper.”
(Who’s Coming to Dinner? Pg 67/68

The table is indeed sacred – a place where the theme of Jesus heart is to be displayed.