Our partner, The Park Place, hosts a Christmas store each year for Latine families in the neighborhood. Groups like ours donate funds, Park Place shops for toys and gifts to stock the store, then families gather at the Center of Belonging so parents shop for gifts at a discount. This model preserves dignity for everyone involved, and 127 kids are signed up this year!

To streamline the process (and because we are coming down to the wire!), The Park Place is completing all the shopping this Friday! If you’re able, please donate to the fund below so each child can receive a gift at Christmas:

Practice service and generosity alongside other Table folks (of all ages!) at this fun morning at the Giovannellis’ house! We’ll be creating pillowcases for kids who are spending the holidays in the hospital. There will be crafting opportunities for all ages and abilities—sewing skills not required! Holiday music and breakfast snacks are provided, if you're able to bring a sewing machine or craft supplies, please let Ellen Poulter know by email or text (952.923.8833). We hope to see you there!

Join friends from The Table community at OutFront Minnesota’s annual Transgender Day of Remembrance gathering. This event is dedicated to honoring the memory of trans individuals whose lives were lost in acts of anti-trans violence and is a time to be in community with queer siblings, remembering those who have passed while creating queer joy, creativity, and love. Artists and performers share their gifts on stage.

More information is available here:

Five times a year, our host church Bethlehem uses the Sanctuary on Sunday nights for their Music Series. We will move our worship service to the Center of Belonging, just a few blocks north of Bethlehem. Think of it as church as usual, just in a different location!

We will worship in their Sanctuary and utilize their kids’ spaces as well. The church building is at the corner of 35th and Aldrich. Street parking is available and you are encouraged to use the drop-off zone along Aldrich as needed.

For those who want to be in community tonight, Debbie is hosting a time for conversation, readings, and prayers at her house. at 7:30pm.

Men at The Table will meet as planned at 7pm. They will also be making space to discuss the election.

Marta Smith and Pastor Jae are hosting an intentional relaxation space on election night to reduce election anxiety. All are welcome, especially if you don’t want to spend that night worried and alone. The goal is to create a gentle and low stimulation environment (Kevin the weiner dog will be present for snuggles).

Just bring yourself! The following are totally optional: any personal comfort items, hobbies, or favorite snacks. We’ll do lowkey crafting, snacking, games, and be unplugged from all election media.

RSVPs not required, but you can let Jae know you’re coming, especially if you have any food/allergy restrictions we should plan for.

All Saints’ is a time to remember the people we have loved and lost. At The Table, we dedicate time in our service to remember the names and photos of those who have passed away this past year.

If you would like us to remember your loved one this All Saints’, please email Patti by October 30 with the following information:

• Your name

• Their name and relationship to you

• Their photo

This year, The Table will be participating in Twin Cities Pride’s Trunk-or-Treat, a fun and safe way for families to enjoy Halloween together, featuring creatively decorated cars, delicious treats, and plenty of community spirit. Come in costume and then head to church for our Halloween costume parade and community meal!

Table folks are invited to join with Doug Pagitt and the folks from Vote Common Good at their rally this Sunday after Table worship (just down the street!). The event runs from 7-9pm and includes music, poetry, encouragement, and a screening of the documentary “We The People Ride.” This documentary is the same one Doug was filming back in 2022 about their cross-country bike ride along the US/Mexico border.

After church finishes on Sunday, come on over to the Solomon’s Porch building!

Come kick off the new program year with us! Students in grades 6th-8th have a mini-retreat right before church which will consist of: 

• Outdoor time (weather permitting) 

• Ice breaking/team-building games

• Mini-Bible study 

• Snacks (please eat a full lunch beforehand)

• Sweet treats 

• Meeting volunteers 

Come back to church on Sundays this fall! Worship begins at 5pm, afterwards we’ll gather in the parking lot for pizza from Lion’s Fire wood-fired pizza and TWO bouncy houses for the kids (one for bigs + littles).

During the service, Table Kids groups meet (ages PreK through 5th grade); the nursery is open for babies and toddlers.

We won’t be meeting for worship on Labor Day Weekend. We’ll see you next weekend (September 8) for our fall kickoff!

Come for worship at 5pm, and stay for pizza afterward! If the weather’s nice, we’ll eat outside.

Every August, we work with our partner The Park Place to get backpacks and school supplies to kids in the Powderhorn neighborhood.

Here’s how it works: you donate new backpacks stuffed with a $20 (for supplies) and we get the backpacks to The Park Place. They host a Back to School Bash for families to purchase backpacks and school supplies at a greatly reduced cost. This approach maintains dignity for all involved.

Notes on backpacks:

• new, unused backpacks

• for younger students, choose cartoons/characters/playful designs

• for older students, choose high-quality brands like Jansport, Columbia, Wildkin

• Stuff each backpack with $20, cash or check made out to The Park Place

Update 8/13: Bekah from Park Place says they are short on backpacks for middle & high schoolers. Here’s a link to the kinds of backpacks these students like:

• https://tinyurl.com/all-in-motion-backpack-teens

• https://tinyurl.com/embark-backpack-teens

• https://tinyurl.com/jansport-backpack-teens

If in-person shopping isn’t feasible, you can donate directly to The Park Place below—thank you for your generosity!

We’re got rescheduled for one final game of the season! See you on the sidelines at Bryn Mawr Meadows Park.

As we continue to explore the future of The Table, the topic of our service time has resurfaced and we want to ensure your voice is heard as we explore our options.

Please complete the two-question survey at the link below. Thank you!

Come cheer for the Table softball team at their 6:15pm game at Bryn Mawr Meadows Park, then meet up at Bradley and Marta’s house! They’ll be grilling hot dogs, please bring drinks and/or a side to share! Everyone is welcome—kids and non-softball players included! Can’t wait to hang out together!

We are in a season of discernment about the structure of Table leadership and future hiring needs. This listening session is a space for you to share your ideas and feedback with leadership.

In lieu of a regular service on the 14th, we’re pivoting: we’ll begin with a time of worship + communion followed by small group discussion around tables. Childcare provided/kids’ groups meet as normal. Come with big hopes and dreams for this community—we want to hear them!

Table Kids and their families: come cool off at the Kellers’ pool in the Powderhorn neighborhood! We’ll be out all afternoon, so come when you can, leave when you must. Bring an extra chair or blanket and a dish to share.

Grab your people and your people’s people and join us for worship in the most picturesque spot in Minneapolis: the Lake Harriet Bandshell. We’ll bring chalk for the kids—bring a picnic (or support Bread & Pickle) and stick around afterwards to enjoy lunch together!