Greenblade - creation - faith - justice

Chapters 21-25 Disillusionment and Hunger

As the ministry of the Food Pantry continues to grow, both in numbers and impact, Sara eventually reaches the stage that most, if not all, converts encounter--disillusionment.  One of the recurring themes throughout the book is her experience of the Food Pantry as "real" church where she is clearly the pastor and priest.  There is no ordination certificate or elaborate ceremony but there is also little doubt that the community formed around the pantry and the very ministry itself has ordained her for the real work of pastoring, blessing, and leading.

Sara's struggles, however, mirror those of any who give their life over to the work of the church--lay or ordained.  In one moment she can exalt in the miracle of finally having her long term relationship recognized by the state during that first brief window when gay/lesbian marriage became legal in the state of California.  But tensions over how much time Sara spends at church continue ... MORE

Expansion: Chapters 16-20

Getting one pantry started was just the beginning for Sara Miles.  Rather than congratulate herself and continue on in the same routine, she continues to challenge herself in these chapters.  She starts delivering food to shut-ins for another pantry, she attends a conference with members from her church, she receives an unsolicited grant which she uses to help another pantry start nearby, and she starts cooking for the volunteers before the weekly pantry distribution.  My first reaction was to think, "Of course, these are natural outgrowths of her initial urge to feed."  But then I thought, "Where does she find the time?"  

From the beginning, we know that she has an unconventional job, but you almost wonder if she is doing any other work at all beside "church" these days.  How does she pay her bills?  When does she do her own grocery shopping?  When does she spend time with her partner and child?  Of course, ... MORE

Take this Bread, Chapters 11-15

The "meat " of Sara's story continues in these chapters as she begins organizing and developing  the food pantry at St. Gregory's church.  As I delved into these chapters, I began thinking about my own congregation, a conglomeration of wonderful people who reach out to receive communion every week, but like those at St. Gregory's afraid to step beyond what is comfortable. But Sara's story would not be inspirational if it were not for the struggle and the persistance with which she persued her call to feed the people of the area. 

As I read through her journey of commitee meetings and board meetings and all the resistance she encountered from the congregation along the way, I found myself not only wanting to cheer her on, but also bean her on the head as well.  While there is no doubt trying to get something new started in an already developed organization can be taxing at best, ... MORE