Gastrochurch with The Center

Most of our conversation every day is surface-level. How many conversations do you spend talking about the weather? Netflix? How busy you are? We can easily go through life without ever talking about things that actually matter.

Gastrochurch is a gathering to talk about things that matter, especially spiritual things. We talk about forgiveness, justice, growth, disappointment, gratitude, etc. And we do it over food. Something happens when you share a really good meal that makes meaningful conversation easier. We love getting creative with our themes and menus, and seeing where the food takes us.

It’s up to you how deep you want to go. You choose to sit with people you know well, or with people you don’t. You choose how much you share. Sometimes tables connect deeply, sometimes they don’t. Sometimes the evening is hilarious, sometimes it’s reflective. But it’s rarely boring.

Each evening has a theme, and our themes center on issues in the Christian scriptures. For example, we might focus on a theme of simplicity and serve traditional monastic food, or we might focus on gratitude and serve thanksgiving foods from around the world. With each course, a facilitator gives a brief reflection on the theme, and then gives a discussion question for the table. The questions are intentionally vulnerable; we’re not here to talk about the weather.

At the end of the meal the leaders gather to share Communion and prayer. All are welcome to participate in Communion, to stay and keep talking at the tables, or to leave and get on with their evenings. We have gatherings monthly, and they are open to anyone. Our tables are filled with people from all walks of life and all varieties of belief (or lack thereof). We mean it when we say that everyone is welcome at the table.