On Saturday, March 4th, the Open Table gathered in Briscoe Hall for Breaking of the Bread. This was the official launch of the Open Table movement in Uvalde, Texas, and celebrated Table #1 hosted by St. Philip’s Episcopal Church.
The event welcomed Abigail Villanueva, the Sister we will serve. This was her first opportunity to meet all of the table members who will be working with her throughout our time together. The table members and several of their spouses were present for this time of celebration.
In addition to our Sister Abigail, we had two other honored guests who were very instrumental in the process of launching this Table. Our own Camile DuBose and her husband Win were present. You will recall that it was Camile’s vision for and enthusiasm about the Open Table movement that inspired St. Philip’s Episcopal Church to commit to developing Open Table within the Uvalde Faith Community. The other honored guest was Todd Winslow who is the Director of Community Supervision and Corrections in Uvalde, Texas. That organization was our referral source for this table, and we were so pleased to have him in attendance. He was such a positive force in helping to identify the most appropriate candidate for the Open Table experience.
Abigail invited other guests. Her mother, step-father, son, and best friend were all in attendance. Abigail’s daughter was unable to attend, but we will be getting to know her well as we move into this Open Table experience. This is all about relationship building, and it will be a joy to be in relationship with Abigail’s children as well.
After a review of all that has led up to this celebratory event, we shared a meal together and had good conversation with each other. Three of our church members, Jane Moore, Lory Zimmerman and Nancy Barton had volunteered to dress up the tables with tablecloths and lovely flowers as well as to manage the kitchen for us. I am very grateful for the many kindnesses that were given for this important event.
Following our meal, pictures were taken of our Open Table Family. We were missing Beverly Heyen, so when she is able to return we will take another picture of our Open Table Family which will include everyone and will be our “official” picture for Table #1.
Abigail and the table members then adjourned to Grace Hall where we each introduced ourselves to her and told her a little about ourselves and why we were moved to join this table. It was a very special time for all of us.
And so, after a full year of preparation, we are now at the beginning of what promises to be growth and change for everyone involved. Thank you all for your constant and loving support.
- Barbara Edwards
The event welcomed Abigail Villanueva, the Sister we will serve. This was her first opportunity to meet all of the table members who will be working with her throughout our time together. The table members and several of their spouses were present for this time of celebration.
In addition to our Sister Abigail, we had two other honored guests who were very instrumental in the process of launching this Table. Our own Camile DuBose and her husband Win were present. You will recall that it was Camile’s vision for and enthusiasm about the Open Table movement that inspired St. Philip’s Episcopal Church to commit to developing Open Table within the Uvalde Faith Community. The other honored guest was Todd Winslow who is the Director of Community Supervision and Corrections in Uvalde, Texas. That organization was our referral source for this table, and we were so pleased to have him in attendance. He was such a positive force in helping to identify the most appropriate candidate for the Open Table experience.
Abigail invited other guests. Her mother, step-father, son, and best friend were all in attendance. Abigail’s daughter was unable to attend, but we will be getting to know her well as we move into this Open Table experience. This is all about relationship building, and it will be a joy to be in relationship with Abigail’s children as well.
After a review of all that has led up to this celebratory event, we shared a meal together and had good conversation with each other. Three of our church members, Jane Moore, Lory Zimmerman and Nancy Barton had volunteered to dress up the tables with tablecloths and lovely flowers as well as to manage the kitchen for us. I am very grateful for the many kindnesses that were given for this important event.
Following our meal, pictures were taken of our Open Table Family. We were missing Beverly Heyen, so when she is able to return we will take another picture of our Open Table Family which will include everyone and will be our “official” picture for Table #1.
Abigail and the table members then adjourned to Grace Hall where we each introduced ourselves to her and told her a little about ourselves and why we were moved to join this table. It was a very special time for all of us.
And so, after a full year of preparation, we are now at the beginning of what promises to be growth and change for everyone involved. Thank you all for your constant and loving support.
- Barbara Edwards
Front Row, left to right:
June Ybarra, Becky Offner, Elspeth Teed, Abigail Villanueva, Patricia Carver, Barbara Edwards
Back Row, left to right:
Greg Baber, Robert Bellesteros, Steve Peyton, George Harrison, Ken Carver.
June Ybarra, Becky Offner, Elspeth Teed, Abigail Villanueva, Patricia Carver, Barbara Edwards
Back Row, left to right:
Greg Baber, Robert Bellesteros, Steve Peyton, George Harrison, Ken Carver.
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