August 28, 2024

The Long Table

At the start of the year, the head Chaplain of Northern Ireland asked me to come up with a regular event that engages soldiers. Straight away I turned to food…

By ASR Scott Witherick, Scripture Reader in Northern Ireland

What is the ‘Long Table’?

Coffee mornings and other similar things are run across military camps throughout the country. These facilitate polite conversation and quick introductions where people pop their heads in to say hello.

But I wanted to create an environment where soldiers firstly, feel comfortable and safe and where secondly, conversations can really develop. The best way for this to happen, I believe, is at a table with a meal.

In the busyness of military life, sitting down at a table and sharing a meal together is quite rare. The ‘Long Table’ is a breakfast event led by ASR Paul Somerville and I, which takes place once a month at the Chaplaincy centre in Lisburn Barracks.

In the busyness of military life, sitting down at a table and sharing a meal together is quite rare.

It provides a platform for us to invite varying groups of soldiers to break bread, build relationships and share with those in attendance about who we are and what SASRA does.

Why the ‘Long Table’?

Throughout Jesus’ ministry, He regularly sat and ate with people in all walks of life. Shortly before He was arrested, Jesus invited His disciples to share a meal with Him. It was Passover. Jesus wanted to invest deeply in His closest friendships, reminding them of His love and equipping them for what lay ahead. Another well-known account of Jesus sharing food involved a few loaves of bread, a couple of fish and 5000 guests. He didn’t have to stay, but He chose to be with them to teach us about God’s generosity, welcoming everyone to His metaphorical table. Scripture Readers have a similar desire and goal: to share the gospel, to invest in the lives of service personnel and to support them. The purpose of a well set, decorated and inviting table is simple – to create space for honest conversations, encouragement and the chance to pray together.

ASRs Scott Witherick and Paul Somerville have got to know personnel from different units since running the ‘Long Table’. ©SASRA

Scripture Readers have a similar desire and goal: to share the gospel, to invest in the lives of service personnel and to support them.

One final desire for our ‘Long Table’ event stems from Luke 14, where Jesus is at a religious leader’s house and challenges him on his dinner party invite lists. Essentially, he says that we shouldn’t invite our friends and fancy VIPs, but those who never get invited, like the poor and the outcasts (vs. 13). We want to establish a place where all ranks, both soldiers and officers, can come. We want them to leave the military side of life at the door and sit and engage with one another. We hope that this will enable everyone to feel at home within a church setting, thus opening doors for Paul and I to share our stories and to offer the gospel and spiritual support that is very much needed.

Encouragements from the ‘Long Table’

Despite its infancy, the ‘Long Table’ has already provided many positive opportunities for Paul and I. Not only have we been able to provide literature and prayer, but we’ve been more warmly received by those who have attended.

Soldiers now know us better. They know what we do, they know about our families and our hobbies because we’ve intentionally shared our lives at the table with them.

Many Scripture Readers will admit the challenge of awkward introductions and silences when walking into offices and hangers at times. But since the ‘Long Table’ began, this atmosphere has really changed at Lisburn Barracks. After sitting at the table together, soldiers now know us better.

They know what we do, they know about our families and our hobbies because we’ve intentionally shared our lives at the table with them. With these encouragements, I very much look forward to the future of the ‘Long Table’ and the outcomes of it.

The future of the ‘Long Table’

The ‘Long Table’ is now entering its fourth month and our numbers continue to grow at each event. Paul and I have discussed taking the ‘Long Table’ on the road so we can roll it out in other camps across Northern Ireland. In addition to its continued growth, I also hope to offer attendees the chance to stay behind for a time of prayer. Hopefully this will demonstrate that the ‘Long Table’ is much more than just a free breakfast.