Welcome! The Open Table is currently not meeting for dinner church due to the Coronavirus disease outbreak and the most recent KCMO restrictions on gatherings of more than 10 people. We know this is a stressful, uncertain time, and we will continue to look for ways to offer community and hospitality, even if that looks a bit different from our usual way of doing things. New to The Open Table? Visit our about page to learn more.

At a typical gathering of The Open Table community, we would start around the table with a meal—a time we call our Communion, a breaking of bread. Since we are showing love for each other by not sharing space in this season, we’d like to invite you to join us for an alternative time of connection.

This online gathering will happen in two ways:

First, you are welcome to move through the post below on your own, taking the time you need with the prayers, silence, music, and audio guided meditation. We do these contemplative services quarterly as a way of caring for ourselves.

Second, if you’d like to join us for an interactive conversation and check-in, our staff will be online Sunday, March 22 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. CST on Zoom. Anyone is welcome to join us for this time of virtual connection—just use the link below!

Zoom Link for Online Conversation

Sunday, March 22, 6:30-7:30 p.m. CST

TAIZÉ ONLINE SERVICE

PRAYER FOR A WELCOMING COMMUNITY

By Wendie Brockhaus, Curator, in 2017

God, hear our prayers:
For a welcome which communicates
Verbally and nonverbally,
Implicitly and explicitly
and in word and deed
For a welcome which requires our
authentic humility
honest connection
and active compassion
For a welcome which embodies
beloved community
appreciation for differences
and an open table
Shalom, Salaam, Namaste, Peace
Upon all who are here tonight
And all those who are absent but still in need of community.
Together with your Divine Spirit we pray, Amen.

SCRIPTURE READING: PSALM 102

Excerpt, Common English Bible

“Lord, hear my prayer! Let my cry reach you! Don’t hide your face from me in my time of trouble! Listen to me! Answer me quickly as I cry out…. I’ve been eating ashes instead of bread. I’ve been mixing tears into my drinks…. God will turn to the prayer of the impoverished; God won’t despise their prayers….

MUSIC IN THE SPIRIT OF THE TAIZÉ COMMUNITY

Taizé is a small village in eastern France, which for over 50 years has been the home of aChristian monastic community with people from many different countries, speaking different languages, representing different Christian denominations.  Tens of thousands of visitors from around the world come to spend time there. The music of Taizé features repetitive singing with texts from scripture and other Christian sources.  This meditative singing becomes a way of listening to God both personally and communally.  In the words of the founder, Brother Roger, the Taizé community considers itself a “parable of community” that wants its life to be a sign of reconciliation between divided Christians and between separated peoples.

For each of the songs below there is a Youtube link for you to follow along, singing or listening, whichever is most helpful for you. During this time you may wish to light a candle for your personal prayers.

O Lord Hear My Prayer  Link

O Lord, hear my prayer, O Lord, hear my prayer
When I call answer me
O Lord, hear my prayer, O Lord, hear my prayer
Come and listen to me

Wait for the Lord  Link

Wait for the Lord, whose day is near
Wait for the Lord, keep watch, take heart

Guided Meditation

Veni, Sancte Spiritus/Holy Spirit, Come to Us  Link

Holy Spirit, come to us…

Ubi Caritas/Live in Charity (Love)  Link

Live in charity and steadfast love
Live in charity, God will dwell with you

GUIDED MEDITATION

 LISTEN HERE

Sarah Dunne Pickrell, Director of New Worshiping Communities KC | Song. Extraordinary by Michael Vignola

CLOSING PRAYER

By Marian Wright Edelman in Guide My Feet, adapted

“Lord, straighten my back, clear my head, strengthen my voice, infuse my heart with your mighty spirit.

Our Father and Mother who art in Heaven, let Your will and not ours be done. Hallowed be your name and not ours on earth and in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and help us not to worry about tomorrow.  Forgive us our sins and give us a spirit of forgiveness for the sins of others.  Lead us away from temptation and trouble and deliver us from our own evil and that of others.  And keep our eyes not on the world’s fleeting power and glory today but on Your Kin-dom, Your power, and Your glory forever. My weary spirit needs to lie fallow and wait for You to prepare its soil for planting again.”

Amen. Go in peace.

“…we are aware of how urgent peace is.
We can contribute to peace
to the extent that we try to respond
to the following question by the life we live:
Can I become a bearer of trust where I live?
Am I ready to understand others better and better?” 

Brother Roger, founder of the Taizé community

If you believe in our vision of being a community of reconciliation and peace, and are able to contribute to the cost of our dinner church gatherings and antiracism trainings, we invite you to donate through our website. A few dollars a month can help provide a meal, and more than that helps sustain the long-term work of the community. You can also connect with us and share our social media pages on Facebook at Instagram. And for bi-monthly updates on events, announcement, and community news, sign up for our email newsletter at our website. We appreciate your support!