July 10th, 2010 12:32 pm CT
This Saturday morning at 7:30, I pulled into the Snowden School parking lot on McLean with a load of corn, tomatoes, cucumbers and peas. I was the first of two loads of vegetables that were grown by the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Poplar Grove, TN for free distribution in Midtown by the Iona Community of Faith.
This partnership between rural and city churches is part of a very unique ministry started by the Cumberland Presbyterians. IONA would best be called an “emerging church”, in the light of author Phyllis Tickle. They are not traditional is structure, but foundational in a new way of experiencing a Spiritual Life.
Services, which are held on Monday nights at the home of Lisa and Barry Anderson, 1790 Faxon Ave in Midtown are of a Celtic style, of music, meditation and prayer. Yet, beyond this un-typical service in this home church, IONA Ministers outreach through hospitality and catering, working with the poor and homeless and through various other community-centered ministries.
The “Garden of Eatin’” is one example of hospitality and of sharing food with and loving our neighbors. It is a ministry that planted its seeds, literally, with two rural churches so that they may reach out to the inner-city with gifts they are able to provide…in this case – vegetables.
The example set this morning in this Midtown parking lot was part of the message in the Book of Acts, of bringing to the table the resources of the community and sharing them with those who have a need.
Let blessings bestow this birthing IONA community.
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