Easter and the full table

April 6, 2026

• We are launched with our partner in ministry, Streetside Showers and officially able to fundraise!

• I have been learning how to create a website, sloppily. But think I am getting better and that it’s almost done.

• We had the opportunity to spend Easter in fellowship with some of our unhoused friends.

Brenna here - I am reflecting on a full weekend of celebrating Christ’s redeeming love. Actually, if I am honest, I am catching my breath after a full weekend of being wonderfully worn out. Between our helping to host a baby shower for dear friends and getting all three of us dressed, fed, caffeinated and to church on time on Easter Sunday, I confess that I began to lose myself in the bustle.

Cal reached out to several of the men he is walking with offering to take them to church on Sunday morning. He used some of the coupons that one of our unhoused friends shared with us to treat the group to coffee, and then sat with them - in the row behind Foster and I - while I did my best to really take in the Easter message. The room was beautifully buzzing with the energy of all of the other families that were basking in a similar pride to have made it on time and with minimal meltdowns. In the row in front of us, Foster was taken in by another little boy that was just a couple years older and enjoying the full benefits of being in a row of his family. Similarly, Foster was passed between all those who loved him in our rows to try and keep his vocalizations to a minimum. This probably comes as a surprise to no one when I say that I was pretty distracted. Half of my brain seemed to be dedicated to worry that I was distracting the men behind me who had joined us to worship.

At one point, my mother in law leaned over to ask - would we like to invite Cal’s friends that he’s discipling to join us for Easter lunch at their house? And the sweet woman - a volunteer with the warming stations - who sat with us? My father in law is renowned for his skill with a grill and a smoker, and had prepared a meal for us. With a quick stop into an open grocery store for a few more supplies and a trip to the pantry for some canned baked beans, we stretched his gift to us of delicious food to be a gift to those we have spent this first bit of ministry with.

Cokes were passed around, plates filled, and conversation flowed to everything from the sermon to favorite sports, eventually landing in the determination that it was time for a game of something. And let me tell you, I don’t know if anyone has ever had a worse game of anything than I had in that round of Rumikub. But it didn’t matter even a little bit. The table was full, the invitation that was extended to our unhoused friends resulted in the single best Easter I have ever had.

Soon, the game was over and our friends said they were ready to head out. Cal walked them to the car and I found myself… full. Full of a joy that I got to spend hours in fellowship with some of the men Cal has been walking with and that I have been praying over for months. Full of gratitude that a table that was prepared for me was extended to friends who may have otherwise been alone.

Friends, I hope you know that there has been a place prepared for you, too. At a table who’s head so deeply desires to know and be known by you. I find myself filled with wonder that we get to participate in those invitations and that, along the way, we get to see such shining glimpses of the joy and community that is waiting for us. Happy Easter. He is risen.