A series of short films, produced by the United Reformed Church, which explores themes from the book Holy Habits, continues with the Holy Habit of Eating Together.

In the film, we explore how people are brought together through sharing meals in a variety of settings.

These are: Church Without Walls, a Christian community that meets in Broughton and Brooklands in Milton Keynes; Breakfast Church, held at Wallasey Village United Reformed Church, Wallasey; and the Living Hope Coffee Shop at the ASK Centre, a community project based at the United Church in Rhyl.

Describing Breakfast Church as ‘beautiful chaos’, the Revd Jeff Hughes says: ‘Our bespoke worship is for people who are not used to Church. It’s about getting the message about God’s love in Jesus for everyone.’

The Revd Ruth Maxey, who leads Church Without Walls, explained how important food is to her community: ‘Food brings us together as a people of God.’

Author Andrew Roberts makes clear that this habit ‘isn’t about endless faith suppers with quiches and celery sticks.’

‘This is a timeless, godly, practice that brings people together and nurtures us in body mind and spirit and helps us live wholesomely as God intended us to,’ he explains.

‘Eating together can be a great way of building community. It is a way of blessing others, friend or stranger. Inviting someone to share a meal is an incredibly warm and generous act.’

Who will you invite for a meal? Email wtw@urc.org.uk.

Holy Habits is a key resource for Walking the Way: Living the life of Jesus today, the URC's focus on lifelong missional discipleship. Booklets on each of the ten habits: biblical teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, sharing of resources, service, eating together, gladness and generosity, worship, prayer and making more disciples, can be bought from the URC Online Shop for £4.99 + pp.