While in DC I did many things.  One of my last stops was in Rockville MD to eat brunch at the Mosaic Cafe.Here you see the inside of the dining room.  The cafe was the creation of a family originally from Lyons France.  It is rated as one of the best places to eat in the DC area and it is reasonably priced.  They are famous for the waffles, and being someone who LOVES waffles I can tell you these waffles are worth driving for!  I’m just lucky I could go 2 hours for them instead of having to go all the way to France.

While I was there I struck up a conversation with the couple at the table next to me.  They had no sweetener container on their table and I shared the one on my table.  As we talked the topic of conversation moved toward my occupation.  When I said I was a hospital chaplain, I was asked, “What branch of the military had I served in?”  The couple was shocked when I said I had no military service.  They asked how one could be a chaplain and not be in the military.  So that started a conversation about the training needed for chaplaincy and that military service is not a required component.  Military service is just another specialization of chaplaincy just like health care is a specialty.  The conversation was still on a very friendly tone, then I as asked about my  denominational affiliation,  When I said I was United Methodist their was a change in attitude in the air.  So I asked the couple what was their denominational affiliation.  They said they were AME Zion.  Then I knew what the tension was about.  During the that slavery took place in our country the Methodist denomination treated black people as second class citizens.  That second class status continued long after the Civil War was over.  So I spoke up and said I felt how black people were treated historically by the Methodist denomination was wrong and I am glad we have moved past that painful period of history.  My comments lifted the weight that crowded into our conversation and we had a delightful time during the rest of our meals.

Meeting people and listening to them with both what they say and how their body language communicates is the key to building a relationship with them.  Without even realizing it during the meal I was practicing some the components of chaplaincy as I developed the relationship with them.  We met as strangers and parted on a friendly basis.  What a productive meal, enjoying my favorite waffles and teaching about chaplaincy and applying the tools of chaplaincy all at the same time.  I hope this encounter motivates you to speak with strangers as you have opportunity.