Dinner Talks
I grew up with my parents inviting their friends over for dinner. My brother and I were forced to finish our schoolwork early so we could be a part of the dinners, helping refill drinks and clean dishes in between the rounds of four course meals out of respect for our guests. Being proper hosts was such a hasty thing for us, as our parents always made sure we were not away from the conversation for long so we could participate and learn from our peers. After all, these dinners we hosted had one thing in common: God always became the focus of the conversation.
It started after my family and I watched a movie years ago, where there were two men who ate as they tried to make sense over the political turmoil of their country. Tension was in the air between the two gentlemen, but one stopped and brought up God in the conversation, how His goodness will prevail, and that there still is hope for peace. Every worry that was once all consuming fled, as the joys of faith invaded the room where the men ate dinner. My mother, with a big smile on her face, turned to our family exclaiming, “We should do that!” Ever since that moment, our family has prayed before every guest has coame over that God will lead the conversations we have, to which He has not disappointed us.
Yes, any conversation can swiftly shift to our belief in Christ no matter the setting, but there is something special about God being brought up during the course of a meal. God has the power to shift a stressful conversation into something beautifully memorable. As eating gives us strength, so does our commitment to our faith. As Jesus broke bread and shared his teachings to those who wanted to listen in between bites, should we not be able to do the same? We can be united not only in what we eat, but also through passionately speaking about how God moves us at the table.
When I came to Pepperdine, I thought it was funny that it was such a casual thing to talk about God while grabbing Starbucks or eating in the cafeteria. It was not the elaborate dinner I was used to, but it was equally as special since I was able to share my faith over a coffee and sandwich. After moving away from my home, theis idea that I couldan carry on this same familial tradition in a new setting with my own friends was both comforting and exciting. Unlike the planned dinners, these spontaneous lunch dates meant that God could show up over a meal at any time and I could not wait for the moments it would happen again.
Living at Calamigos has given me an opportunity to share this experience with my roommates during the time of corona. I have been blessed to live with five of my friends on the ranch as we have been balancing online classes with our numerous commitments; much like on campus, we catch each other at unplanned times grabbing a snack or preparing dinner. We naturally share our days, and it is no surprise when God comes up in the conversation. Worries about our individual troubles are dispelled as the familiar topic of our faith gives us courage. It seems that talking about faith over food is a constant in my life, an odd comfort.
While staying at Calamigos, I encourage you to take advantage of the community that you will find here. There are plenty of opportunities to talk about your faith at the Malibu Café, at dinner, or during a picnic on the ranch’s property. It is truly something special to bond over not only food, but also your faith with someone in your community.
Finding a Faith-Based Community
Community used to be an odd concept for me in my life. I have surrounded myself with great people, whether from my classes, extracurriculars, or work. They supported me through difficult times and helped shape me into the person I am today. However, I always thought it was funny that none of them shared my faith.
I grew up and identify as a Non-Denominational Christian, going to church multiple times during the week as a means to spiritually grow. I have continuously tried to connect with Christians my age through the churches I have attended, but they were always short-lived relations that were reserved to Sunday church services. It seemed to me that the long-lasting community of Christians I have been searching for was limited to my family. Naturally, my family and I often found ourselves having long winded conversations about our faith and Christian theology. It was a common topic in our household, surfacing around the dinner table, during commercial breaks, and commonly throughout car rides.
It never occurred to me that talking about my faith could be done amongst friends. I greatly appreciated the friends that I had made throughout my life, but to them, being a Christian was a part of who I am as much as my eyes are gray. I went to an Episcopalian high school, hoping that I could find a like-minded community of people. However, Christianity seemed more like a chore to the student body rather than a way of life. Since my high school friends came from a diverse range of religious backgrounds, they respected that my faith was important to me, but I seldom had the opportunity to share with them that side of myself. Incidentally, my spiritual and social lives did not overlap, which I eventually accepted, simply thinking that was how it worked.
It was not until Pepperdine that my perception of community changed. One of the reasons I chose to attend Pepperdine was for its Christian values, thinking that this might be my last chance of finding friends that share my faith. I hoped for the best, but silently worried that it would be a repeat of past friendships in which my faith was a silent attribute of myself. Within the first couple of weeks of becoming acquainted with Pepperdine, I was shocked to have met many people who share my faith.
It was a strange adjustment, to get accustomed to being open about my faith which I had kept suppressed for so long. I could read my Bible during lunch without being self-conscious, talk enthusiastically about a revelation I had about my Christian ideology, and ask for prayer from people who would earnestly do just that. It is truly a crazy feeling, a thrill, to be able to not hide a part of you are.
Despite my Non-Denominational background, I found solace within the University Church of Christ, commonly known as the UCC, on the Pepperdine campus. I had no idea what the Church of Christ was until I came to Pepperdine, but as I did not have a car my freshman year, it was the most convenient church to attend since the events were within walking distance from my dorm. Nevertheless, the UCC welcomed me into their community of hosted students from different Christian faiths. I created beautiful bonds with people from the UCC community, even leading to me meeting my current roommates, whom I met at church events.
However, I have several friends that did not attend the UCC events, instead joining local churches in the Malibu area, which I will list below. I could see how happy they were with their Christian communities, attending church services together that were promptly followed by lunches or surfing excursions. Furthermore, one of the wonderful things about these churches is that they are not mutually exclusive. I know people that attend events and services with a variety of churches, meeting Christian students through a range of different channels while creating meaningful bonds.
I never knew how important it was to be in a faith-based community until my freshman year of college. It is truly a liberating feeling to communicate with others in your age range who are facing similar troubles as you the importance of your Christian ideals. As you navigate this newfound independence of being in college, there will be times where you may feel alone. Talking to others about your spiritual struggles will help you overcome your troubles; I guarantee it. The first step is to find a faith-based community that is the right fit for you.
By: Sophia Casetta