When our family arrived in Hospitality Hall, the line for soup extended out the door and to the stairs. The hall was a buzz with excitement; the room was warm and the smell of soup was everywhere. As we got into line, the woman in front of me commented on the fact she could smell the soup outside as she got out of her car. Our family was aghast when we tried to find a close parking place. We thought we were early, and we were, but so were many others. The lot was nearly full.

As the line made its way up closer to the soup, we were able to visit with those already eating, including the volunteers who greeted us and made the wait go quicker with their funny comments. A large white board names the varieties of soup just before you reach the kitchen. Suddenly, the wait is over and you must make the big decision. WOW, is that ever hard with so many kinds. After deciding on your soup, you then pick out a drink and find a table that holds the silverware, wonderful varieties of breads, butter, and jelly. Your dinner is now complete. Your tablemates are full of conversation and joy. After eating your soup, you can go back for more, in fact, they encourage it. Ash Wednesday is always an extremely busy night and this year was no different. We decided to give up our seats, as we saw many who were standing holding their soup. People were still lined up out the door as we left the hall. We were content with the warmth of SJA and its amazing community. The fable of Stone Soup darted in and out of my head. What a village we have in SJA. Do you remember the story Stone Soup? Here it is in case you have forgotten it.

A kindly, old stranger was walking through the land when he came upon a village. As he entered, the villagers moved towards their homes locking doors and windows.

The stranger smiled and asked, “Why are you all so frightened? I am a simple traveler, looking for a soft place to stay for the night and a warm place for a meal.”

"There's not a bite to eat in the whole province," he was told. "We are weak and our children are starving. Better keep moving on."

"Oh, I have everything I need," he said. "In fact, I was thinking of making some stone soup to share with all of you." He pulled an iron cauldron from his cloak, filled it with water, and began to build a fire under it.

Then, with great ceremony, he drew an ordinary-looking stone from a silken bag and dropped it into the water.

By now, hearing the rumor of food, most of the villagers had come out of their homes or watched from their windows. As the stranger sniffed the "broth" and licked his lips in anticipation, hunger began to overcome their fear.

"Ahh," the stranger said to himself rather loudly, "I do like a tasty stone soup. Of course, stone soup with cabbage -- that's hard to beat."

Soon a villager approached hesitantly, holding a small cabbage he'd retrieved from its hiding place, and added it to the pot.

"Wonderful!!" cried the stranger. "You know, I once had stone soup with cabbage and a bit of salt beef as well, and it was fit for a king."

The village butcher managed to find some salt beef . . . and so it went, through potatoes, onions, carrots, mushrooms, and so on, until there was indeed a delicious meal for everyone in the village to share.

The villager elder offered the stranger a great deal of money for the “magic” stone, but he refused to sell it and traveled on the next day.

As he left, the stranger came upon a group of village children standing near the road. He gave the silken bag containing the stone to the youngest child, whispering to a group, “It was not the stone, but the villagers that had performed the magic." 

Nancy Lynch says, "Joy is being a wife, Mom of fourteen, eight with varying disabilities and living at home, Grandma of thirteen, and Great Grandma of three. Serenity is listening and watching the ocean, alone, at our home on Maui. Passion is friends, photography, reading, swimming and children." Nancy can be reached at nalynch@aol.com.

Come, and be a part of the soup suppers. I guarantee you will enjoy the experience.

Note: Each Wednesday soup supper is followed by a prayer service and adult education seminar in the church.

Rita Nohner is a long-time parishioner of SJA and considers St. Joan of Arc her spiritual home. She enjoys being involved in the Bible Study, Soup Suppers, Team Oz and international ministries. Rita's passions are traveling and photography. She and her husband Jeff have a small photography and video business which keeps them both very busy. She can be reached at rita@lifeimagellc.com.