Every Thursday night, you’ll find Christ House’s dining room packed to capacity. Patients, Kairos Program members, volunteers, staff, and friends gather as one family to spend an evening in fellowship. This weekly tradition was born out of Christ House’s commitment to building deep, authentic, and life-sustaining community.
Attendees enter the dining room at 5:30pm, greeted by a handshake from Pastor Allen Goetcheus and gospel music playing from the stereo. After about 30 minutes of coffee pouring, greetings across tables, and chatter about the latest game, the room settles down. Allen begins the evening with a prayer.
A few Kairos Program volunteers serve the meal. The kitchen staff put extra thought and effort into making it the best meal of the week. While enjoying the dinner, the community shares the joys and struggles of their weeks and gets to know one another better.
The night continues as Allen reads a passage of scripture and invites diners to respond to the reading. Then, all are welcomed to share testimonies and personal or societal prayer requests. A long-time volunteer and gospel pianist leads the group a few praise and worship songs. The evening always ends with all joining hands and signing the chorus, “Bind us together.”
On the rare occasion that Allen is not available, the evening is led by Gerald Henderson, a Kairos Program member. Gerald says, “It’s an honor to lead in Pastor Goetcheus’s absence. I notice the congregation connecting with the music and the flow of the service. It feels similar to the African American church services that many of us grew up attending.”
This 30-year-long tradition is one of the life-giving roots of the Christ House community. In an otherwise unpredictable world, this regular time of reflection, fellowship, bread-breaking, prayer, and praise is a sacred gathering.
All are welcome to come and participate in Table Fellowship. Because available space varies from week to week, please call 202-328-1100 to RSVP by noon on the Thursday you wish to attend.
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