Slice of Heaven
In days to come the mountain of the Lord’s house
shall be established as the highest of the mountains,
and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it.
Many peoples shall come and say,‘
Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob;
that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.’
For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples;
they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
Isaiah 2:2-4
Another Peace of Pizza is in the books!
Once again well over 100 people sat down together to enjoy pizza from Gianni’s in Trolley Square and Italian water ice and ice cream treats from Dino’s. Our guests included food pantry clients, food pantry volunteers and staff from Lutheran Community Services, leaders from Peace Week Delaware and Pacem in Terris, volunteers and supporters from other congregations including Westminster Presbyterian and Abundant Life Faith Center—even old friends from Good Shepherd, passersby and neighbors from Broom Street, colleagues from our primary sponsor Thrivent Financial, and many, many members, friends, family members and recent visitors to St Stephen’s. People came by themselves, with their spouses, with their children, with their work friends, even with their yoga class! Our numbers included people from both political parties, people whose families have been in this country for generations as well as people who are not yet US citizens, faithful Christians as well as faithful practitioners of other traditions and faithful abstainers from all things religious. I could go on. Peace of Pizza brought together people of spectacular diversity, and for a few hours on Friday evening, none of those differences mattered. We enjoyed delicious pizza, a warm autumn evening, good music from the Dave Mattock jazz trio outside and our own Claudio Espejo inside, and—above all—conversation with strangers and neighbors and friends. As darkness fell and our time together ended, someone commented, “No one wants to leave. We’re having such a good time together.”
Peace may be a gift from God, but it doesn’t come without careful intention and deliberate work on our end. Governor Carney’s Proclamation in Observance of Peace Week (read aloud by Peace of Pizza organizer Michele Torchia in the accompanying photo) states, in part: “…it is important for individuals and organizations to collaborate thoughtfully and peacefully despite disagreements….” Similarly, the prophet Isaiah looks to the day when many peoples, from all the nations of the earth, will literally rise above petty differences and go to the highest mountain to learn God’s ways of peace (and justice).
In our little corner of Wilmington, may peace begin with neighbors of goodwill enjoying each other’s company over a slice of heaven.
Shalom,
Pastor Sue
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