Last month, my husband and I gifted ourselves the experience of the Fireworks Feast while we we on vacation in PEI. We arrived shortly after 3 to take advantage of walking the extensive grounds and trails (as per their suggestion) and left shortly before 10 after a sensory rich dining experience. We are making plans to go again. The food was spectacular, but what really stood out was the hospitality. This started as I made our reservations; there was a place on the website to list any food allergies, dislikes etc. for each person. When we arrived, the person checking us in, confirmed our food allergies and concerns with us.

There was a Farm Talk with Head Farmer Kevin, who spoke of regenerative agriculture, doing something different in growing food and experimenting all the time to get the best results from the land. Doing something different from big ag, not disturbing the soil beyond the top inch or two, to allow it to develop its ecosystem and the ‘carrots are more carroty’ etc.

This was followed by a chef talk; that day it was by Chef Michael Smith, he and his wife own The Inn at Bay Fortune where the Fireworks Feast takes place from May till October. What I remember from his talk was the acknowledgement of the privilege of getting sustenance from the land and sea. In addition to growing food, they also have a full-time forager on staff! He let us know that everything on our plates was edible, that it may look like a garnish, but it was edible and he really encouraged us to try everything. I took that advice to heart, except for the oysters!

This picture exemplifies the hospitality we experienced. Chef Michael Smith and my husband having a conversation about the various ways to smoke salmon and the pros and cons of each one and how regional differences in wood affect the smoking processes. This took place between ‘Oyster Hour’ and the main meal; Chef Michael just happened to be walking back to the inn at the same time we were. There was no sense that he was rushing to get back to oversee a multi-course meal for 72 people, no sense that he wasn’t fully present to the conversation, just a sense that he was delighted to have the conversation.

This sense of hospitality continued throughout the meal; we were seated at long tables, but with place cards so we knew where to sit. Across the table was a couple from New Hampshire, she was gluten free, my husband is very lactose intolerant, and I don’t each fish or seafood! So, between the four of us, three of us had different food issues than the standard menu. ALL of the variations were handled smoothly and without fuss. When we received the bread tree, the woman across from us was served a gluten free one at the same time and my husband received different spreads than the rest of us did. When the cream based chowder was served, my husband got a broth based one, and I received chicken vegetable soup. All of this without any fuss or any sense that it was a bother, which we have often felt at other establishments. Each member of the staff we encountered seemed delighted be part of our evening, they seemed to LOVE being part of our evening, and wanted to do everything possible to make it a great experience.

Hospitality and the church has long been a deep interest of mine; I did a Directed Study in the Theology of Hospitality in my final year at seminary. The churches I have served know that I emphasis hospitality and one of my most cherished comments from two visitors was when they came up to me after worship and said, “We have worshipped in a lot of churches in our trip across the country and we want to tell you that we have experienced the best hospitality of any of them here! From the person who welcomed us at the door, to the people in the pew in front of us, to your words of welcome, to the ease of following the service, we felt welcome and included.” So, as we ate and drank and enjoyed the experience of the Fireworks Feast, I couldn’t help but make some connections, comparisons, and some questions arose about our practices of hospitality in our various congregations?

• Are we prepared for guests? From our website, to our greeters, to our space, are we prepared for first time worshipers, with their various abilities and needs?
• Am I rushed on Sunday morning? Can I be so prepared that I can be present to unexpected opportunities for engagement?
• Is our signage clear?
• If we use an order of worship, it is obvious when people are invited to sit and stand? To join in and/or respond?
• If we are celebrating communion, are the instructions clear? Is everyone welcome?
• Do we use acronyms that only insiders know?
• And perhaps most importantly: Do our people convey love of church? Jesus? God? Their ministry? Each other?

That’s my window on God’s world.