This BLOG is written by Robert, founder of The First Supper, a heartwarming hospitality community cherishing Christian traditions in contemporary Amsterdam.
*** Concluding First Supper in 2024 on a high note ***
It was 5.30 PM, on Thursday 12 December. A group of some 12 curious folks meeting up in front of the Diaconate of the Amsterdam Protestant Church. Folks from all sorts of backgrounds, ages, nationalities. Folks, what quickly turned out, having much in common. A curiosity for the fascinating story of the Diaconie, a story that allowed us to connect more deeply to the city of Amsterdam. An appetite for listening, sharing, finding deeper meaning in our walk of life through stimulating and open conversations. A longing to connect and make new friends outside the bubbles we all tend to live in.
Just a few hours later we found ourselves having made new friends, having learned about the fascinating role the Diaconate has played for centuries in providing “barmhartigheid” to citizens in need within Amsterdam. The evening gave space to a harvest of gifts and learnings how “barmhartigheid” can provide us with a more meaningful walk of life.
The magical mix? An educative story by our host Geert Westert of the Diaconie, a refreshing guided evening walk along the Diaconate historic Amstelhoven venue and along the Amstel river, a delicious tasty home cooked meal (from Ghana!) prepared by our Wereldhuis hosts, and some tasty spiritual food provided by sharing and discussing the story of the Good Samaritan (refer Luke 10:25-37). What participants really appreciated was the safe space for lively and open conversation with respect to different backgrounds and points of view. Please refer to our website Image Gallery for pictures of the event.
On a personal note I was touched by our hosts, the volunteers of Wereldhuis. Folks with a wonderful big heart, folks with an interest to connect and share personal stories that lead to choosing for non-documented citizenship. As these stories were shared in a vulnerable way, they opened our hearts, they made us realize we are one.
We concluded the night with a hug and goodbye, as we sang “We all need somebody, to lean on” from “Lean On Me” by Bill Withers, a song that covers the evening spirit and -theme of barmhartigheid that we all need and long for in our walk of lives, in a great way.
*** Welcoming you to our table in 2025 – Save the date: Saturday evening 15 March ***
If you are drawn to meet (or even host) people from outside your bubble at the First Supper table, drawn to walk together, to deepen connection and become part of this hospitality community, please mark your calendar:
Saturday evening 15 March, together we will walk the annual Stille Omgang, honoring the Miracle of Amsterdam of 1345. For First Supper, this will be the second time to walk the Stille Omgang (refer the blog section on our website). The event coincides with ‘Amsterdam 750 years’, so you don’t want to miss it. This time the supper will be hosted at a unique historic venue: The Christchurch fellowship room on Groenburgwal. This historic venue in the heart of Amsterdam, is the very place where Rembrandt painted his famous Staelmeesters…
Thank you for reading this post, thank you for your support and interest, and thank you for bringing The First Supper and this new blog to the attention of others 🙂
As mentioned: Please mark 15 March in your calendars, a more detailed invite will follow.
Warm regards, Robert
Founder ‘The First Supper Amsterdam’
