On November 30, 360 Community partnered with Recipe of Life to host Cooking for Connections at St. Alban’s Anglican Church – a gathering that reminded me how food, story, and presence can quietly transform a room.

Fourteen participants stood in a semi-circle, red plates in hand, surrounded by home-cooked dishes and heartfelt conversation. Some came to share recipes from their heritage; others came to listen, learn, and offer stories of their own. There was no stage, no spotlight — just a table, a few chairs, and the courage to show up.

As I looked around the room, I saw more than a community event. I saw a living expression of what 360 Community exists to nurture: connection across difference, dialogue rooted in dignity, and the kind of belonging that doesn’t need translation.

Asian home cooks practiced English while teaching their recipes. Richmond neighbors tasted unfamiliar flavors and shared favorite places. Conversation prompts helped ease the way, but it was the spirit of presence, the willingness to be seen and to see, that made the gathering sacred.

Hosting this event at St. Alban’s reminded me that ministry is not confined to liturgy or sermon. Sometimes, it’s a potluck. Sometimes, it’s a quiet moment between bites when someone says, “I’ve never shared this before.” Sometimes, it’s the grace of being received, not for what we do, but for who we are.

I’m grateful to Recipe of Life for their partnership, and to every participant who helped turn our parish hall into a table of belonging. This wasn’t a holiday meal. It was a celebration of community itself, of the sacredness of showing up, listening deeply, and honoring one another’s journeys.

As we look ahead, 360 Community will continue to host gatherings that center food, story, and shared presence. Because in a world that often divides, we believe in the quiet power of connection — one plate, one story, one conversation at a time.