Small Site? Still Special

For most of us, there is joy and anticipation about attending the Feast at one of the larger regional Feast sites that UCG hosts every year. But not everyone can travel to the regional Feast site nearest to them. Still, we are all to keep the Feast, and to rejoice before the LORD our God. And God has blessed us with a way for more of His family to be able to attend the Feast. 

The Need and the Solution 

For some older members and some lower-income families, attending a distant Feast site is very difficult. The distance may be too far, health issues sometimes make traveling quite difficult or the cost is too much for them to make the trip. Satellite Feast sites help to make attending the Feast possible for many of these precious members of the Church. 

About 20 years ago, another elder and I presented this need directly to the leadership team at the home office. After much explaining and persuading, we received permission to establish a “satellite” Feast site for members in Montana, some of whom had not been able to attend a Feast for several years. That first Feast in Montana was very special! 

This was the first satellite Feast site that I’m aware of. Several more satellite sites have since been established. Brethren, these smaller Feast sites are bearing wonderful spiritual fruit in the lives of many of God’s precious people. 

Here are some encouraging principles gained through the experiences of many who have helped plan for or who have attended a smaller Feast site in recent years. These principles can apply wherever we keep the Feast. 

The Feast is for Everyone

First and always, remember the instructions and lessons in God’s Word. The Feast is for all of God’s sons and daughters, and He has provided a way for His family to take care of one another. Members who are blessed with abundance can help those who are less able to afford to attend the Feast, or who may have special needs. God inspired these principles in Deuteronomy 14, Nehemiah 8 and elsewhere. Seeing the joy in the heart of someone who is blessed to attend the Feast for the first time in years helps us to understand more about rejoicing together before our loving God. UCG has a transparent way of taking care of receiving and distributing financial support to help members attend the Feast. Ask your pastor if you’d like to learn more.

Plan Ahead

Start planning early and engage with your team. Even small Feast sites need planning months in advance. If a new or existing satellite Feast site has been approved for your area, please consider helping to organize it, even if you will be attending elsewhere. Realize that some of those attending will need help with arranging lodging, rides to and from and during the Feast and other special needs. Steven Britt, Senior Manager, Member Services, recently wrote, “Our goal is for every Feast site to be spiritually uplifting and physically prepared. Achieving that requires being realistic about the people and resources needed to operate each site effectively.” He advised that we “focus on quality—making sure each site is spiritually strong, welcoming and well supported, so that we, as members of one Body, can enjoy a truly meaningful Feast together and rejoice before God!” I can say from experience that this is good advice. 

Anticipate with joy the blessing of attending the Feast! If you will be attending a smaller Feast site, ask your local festival advisor who else is planning to attend there, and talk with these people ahead of time. This can spark good conversations and fellowship for many Sabbaths before the Feast. Anticipating and planning for the Feast helps us to truly rejoice and to give and receive the special blessings God wants to share with His family.

Make your plans early and enjoy the process, especially if you are older or have special needs. Think about the major details and ask for help if you need it. Where will you be staying? Do you need a ride? What do you need to take? Are there bills to be paid before you leave? This type of planning reduces stress and helps us to rejoice more fully during the Feast. 

Participate Fully

Once the Feast begins, participate in the worship services as fully as you can. Attend Church services each day if possible. God wants us to worship together, in song, in prayer and in hearing the preaching of His word. Attending each day provides the blessing of fellowship. Even if the services are received by webcast, we need to be together. The Feast is about fellowship, too, and the time together for services each day is an essential part of our rejoicing as the household of God. 
Share with Others

During the Feast, find ways to share meals with others. Scripture emphasizes that sharing meals together is a major part of rejoicing before God. Maybe you can invite others to share a meal in your lodging, or in a larger setting if one is available. Everyone could bring a “takeout” dinner of their choice from a nearby restaurant or prepare a meal and bring it. This allows everyone with special dietary needs to select their own food and is less labor-intensive than a potluck. 

Some members who are abundantly blessed, even if attending at a different Feast site, have hosted dinners for those who attend at one of the smaller satellite Feast sites, and this has brought joy to everyone there. This follows the principle in Nehemiah 8:10-12, when God’s people were told to rejoice at the Feast.

There are many opportunities to rejoice together in casual ways, too. There are opportunities to help plan activities for families, seniors, young adults and teens, and to attend with them if you can. Something as simple as a walk in a park or sharing a meal at a restaurant gives time for the kind of fellowship God wants us to share. Make sure everyone is included if possible. And be sure to thank everyone who helps others to have a wonderful Feast. 

Keep a Feast Focus

Throughout the entire experience, remember that God intends that we participate in the Feast of Tabernacles in such a manner that we genuinely rejoice before Him. The Feast is about our hope for the future with Jesus Christ as spirit-born children of God and for the nations that live in the Millennium. God wants us to know about that future, and to have an enduring hope that motivates us to seek all that He has promised. His expectation is that our relationships are filled with good measures of joyful conversations, fun activities and mutual rejoicing as part of our worship of Him as the LORD our God. 

By the end of the Feast, we’ll have more close friends, and it will be hard to say “Goodbye.” But we’ll be filled with good spiritual food and our cups will be running over.