Events Calendar
In This Section
Hospitals are grateful for their volunteers
Akron, Summit County jobless rates increase
Future members of school board get early lessons
Browns lose game they never should have lost
After 30 years at the helm of Akron Children's, Considine still looks to future
Utility mines new power source
Most Read Stories
2 men shot during party in Fairlawn
Akron man killed in crash on his street
Akron Children's Hospital CEO, wife announce $1 million gift to support research
Cancellation of Christmas not an option
Victim of beating in Kent last week is declared dead at Akron hospital
Police: Pennsylvania man killed misbehaving puppy before Steelers game
Akron Circle K store robbed for second time this month
Police accuse bank robbery suspect of gobbling up note (with dashcam video)
KSU suspends basketball player
Blogs:
Pets:
A Dog Named Christmas – Pet for the Holidays
The Heldenfiles:
Viewing Notes
Patrick McManamon:
Of pass interference and alleged "fake" injuries
Akron Zips:
No. 1 Akron to play Stanford next
Tribe Matters:
Seven players added to Tribe’s 40-man roster
Cleveland Browns:
Audio: Mangini disputes Poteat call, accuses Lions of faking injuries
Kent State Sports:
Flashes travel to Florida Atlantic
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Gameblog: Cavs vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Buckeye Blogging:
Buckeye Football – Present and Future
Varsity Letters:
Gulley to visit Central Michigan in December
All Da King's Men:
The Onion, By Any Other Name…
Blog of Mass Destruction:
Glaring Contradictions
Akron Law Café:
Don't Try to Have Fun if you are Depressed
See Jane Style:
Vintage Chic
Car Chase:
What Automotive Thing Are You Thankful For?
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Faye Dunaway to be Evicted?
Ohio Travels with Betty:
Monique asks how to get tickets for the Polar Express.
Sound Check:
Steely Dan Plays "The Royal Scam" at E.J. Thomas Hall
HRLite House:
Personal Rant – Why I am Glad I live in NEO
Akron Gamer:
Nintendo's Mario endures even as games come and go
Bible group near eateries reads Scripture, talks about life every Thursday
By Katie Byard
Beacon Journal
Published on Friday, Dec 21, 2007
Near the Auntie Anne's pretzel shop and Sbarro Italian eatery at Summit Mall in Fairlawn, several people gathered to share food for thought Thursday morning.
As mall workers busily readied shops for the onslaught of holiday shoppers, the group sat in the food court, reading and talking about Scripture. Open Bibles dotted the tables.
The food court ''has become a home for us,'' said the Rev. David Loar of Fairlawn-West United Church of Christ in Akron, the group's leader.
Loar prefers to call the discussion Bible ''reflection'' as opposed to ''study,'' which he says sounds academic and conveys ''an almost being outside of the experience type of thing.''
Marilyn Hodge, 82, a longtime member of Fairlawn-West, has been showing up at the food court for the Thursday reflection since it began about seven years ago.
''It is so neat because people come by and stop and ask us to pray for them,'' she said. ''People walking by even join our group.
''They might come for a day or they'll join us whenever they are around,'' she said while waiting for others to show up.
Being ''out in the world'' to build relationships is what Loar envisioned when the reflection started.
The group's inaugural discussion was about the book of Acts.
In that book, ''Jesus sends the disciples out into the world,'' said Loar, whose ministry includes making himself available weekly for discussion at a local coffee shop.
A food court in a mall seemed an appropriate gathering spot given that ''in the old days, the cathedrals were the centers of community life and a lot the mercantile (activity) went on around the cathedral,'' he said.
Isabel Hershberger, 86, enjoys meeting amid the hubbub of the mall.
''It's noisy, but there's something great about it,'' said the Fairlawn-West member.
''People are walking by, they're friendly,'' she said.
Plus, she said, motioning toward the Italian eatery, ''it smells good when he starts to make his pizza.''
Thursday, the group read the book of Jude, which is a page long and is a traditional reading for Christmas Eve.
''Open your heart,'' Loar said to the group, reading from a contemporary version of the Bible. ''Love is on the way.''
Looking up from the Bible, Loar asked, ''Can you see why this would be a Christmas Eve message?''
More readings and discussion followed.
''We go off on tangents,'' said Fairlawn-West member Rich Herbruck, 51, smiling.
Loar, also smiling, retorted, ''There are no tangents in this.''
The group is unassuming; even mall officials were not aware of the regular meetings.
Magnolia Hill, 67, a Medina resident, stumbled upon the group when she was at the mall walking. She's been a regular for about a year.
''I saw them here every Thursday,'' the retired hospital unit clerk said. ''At first, I just started out sitting way over there. Gradually, I began sitting closer.''
She said she shows up for ''the Word and the people.''
Loar said he hopes others get ''a sense that we can study and learn and grow . . . being a part of the world. We don't have to be out there yelling in people's faces about being Christian.''
Nearby, four electricians took a break from their work on the mall's renovation project.
Mike Postek, one of the electricians, said the Bible group has become a familiar food court fixture during his time on the job.
''People getting together, talking,'' he said. ''That's a good thing.''
Reporter Katie Byard attends, but is not a member of Fairlawn-West United Church of Christ. She can be reached at 330-996-3781 or kbyard@thebeaconjournal.com.
Near the Auntie Anne's pretzel shop and Sbarro Italian eatery at Summit Mall in Fairlawn, several people gathered to share food for thought Thursday morning.
Get the full article here.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
