Aurora Methodists continue 'open table' worship at Batavia restaurant Oct. 10

A United Methodist congregation in Aurora is exploring new ways to worship with a five-week Sunday evening worship series at a Batavia restaurant.

Flowing Forth United Methodist Church is hosting the second service at 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 10, at Pal Joey's Restaurant, 2030 Main St.

The public is invited. Admission and parking are free, although donations are accepted for food served.

The Rev. Derek Rogers, Flowing Forth pastor, said October services will be "open table," services with food, communion, prayer, pastoral reflections and small group discussions.

Since its founding in 2018, Flowing Forth has held Sunday worship services at 10 a.m. at Aurora Christian Schools. In response to pandemic precautions, some services were held in the school parking lot.

The church launched its open table format with an evening service with appetizers Aug. 22 at Pal Joey's. It was followed by open tables at 10 a.m. Sundays at an Aurora park (brown-bag event) and worship breakfasts at the school cafeteria Sept. 19 and 26.

"We're experimenting with a new way of gathering as a church. We want to invite all to try it out. Come as you are," Rev. Rogers said. "What if church was more like a dinner party? It's the way Jesus most frequently gathered with people. It's the way early Methodists met together too--over a meal shared around a table as a place of community, conversation and grace."

Call (630) 239-2321 or visit flowingforthumc.org for more information.