Dear Friends,
I got two certificates this week: my car passed its MOT, and I passed my Food Allergen Awareness course.
The Food Allergen awareness course is part of the training required to lead a team of cooks at summer camp. Prior to that, I had absolutely no appreciation for food hypersensitivities - I do now!
I am conversant in (or at least more aware of) what constitutes food hypersensitivities. I have to admit, I had always been of the view that it was people simply being fussy - members of my extended family included - I now know otherwise - just being honest!
This is life and death stuff. The course included interviews with families who've lost children due to incorrect food handling and labelling. It got me thinking... so much of our church hospitality and welcoming new people includes food - we want our churches to be open and welcoming to everyone, regardless of their food hypersensitivities - Jesus welcomed all - do we make it easy? Do we make it safe?
A simple change in serving utensils for different allergen-free foods is a matter of physical safety (or lack thereof) for an individual.
As I was working through the course, the scripture that came to mind was from Luke 11 where Jesus is teaching the disciples how to pray:
11 "Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
I love being a parent and I love my children and giving them gifts. I am often reminded, however, that God loves them (and me) even more. He wants to give us good gifts - more than we can ask or imagine.
We don't knowingly give harmful gifts to our children, so in the context of Church operations, are we taking care not to give food to our family and guests which might endanger them? This might be a matter of life or death...
That sounds dramatic, doesn't it?... the potential for life and death in our hands. It's the same with salvation - we have the words of eternal life - are we taking care to use those effectively? Are we using them to point people to Jesus? I ask myself the same question....
With gratitude and joy,
Penny Clarke
Director, UK Church Administrators Network