Our Organizational Pillars

  • Rooted in Tradition, Growing Toward Justice

    The Friendship Table is built on the principles of New Monasticism—a contemporary movement that reclaims ancient Christian practices of intentional community, contemplative spirituality, and prophetic witness. We structure our life together around sacred rhythms: daily prayer, communal meals, Sabbath rest, and service to our neighbors.

    These rhythms aren't rigid rules—they're life-giving practices that ground us in God's presence and orient us toward justice. Through liturgy and labor, silence and service, we seek to live as a community that reflects God's abundance and welcomes all to the table.

  • Fellows: Living the Mission

    At the heart of The Friendship Table are our Fellows—young adults who commit 12-18 months to living in intentional community while engaging deeply with food justice work, spiritual formation, and vocational discernment.

    What Fellows Experience:

    • Life steeped in sacred rhythm and liturgy

    • Personal spiritual formation and vocational discernment

    • Hands-on experience in nonprofit leadership and operations

    • Deep understanding of food insecurity and its impact on our city

    • Leadership skill development across multiple areas

    • Service and learning with partner organizations throughout High Point

    • Advocacy work and community engagement

    • Volunteer service with local partner organizations

    • Participation in all Friendship Table programs and initiatives

  • How We Gather

    Community Meals
    Every third Friday, we host a free community meal where everyone is welcome. These gatherings embody our commitment to food justice—offering nourishing, home-cooked food with dignity and joy. No questions asked, no requirements, just a place at the table.

    Dinner Church
    Blending ancient liturgy with fellowship around the table, our Dinner Church gatherings create contemplative space for those seeking communion in both the sacred and everyday sense. We eat, we pray, we belong.

  • Growing Together

    St. Mary's Episcopal Church
    The Friendship Table was born from the vision of St. Mary's Episcopal Church, and we continue to partner closely with them. Together, we tend the Good News Garden—a true farm-to-table garden where the produce grown goes directly into our community meals. This partnership embodies our belief that caring for creation and caring for our neighbors are inseparable.

    Community Partners
    Our Fellows and community members volunteer with local organizations doing justice work throughout High Point. We believe in coming alongside existing efforts, supporting and advocating with our neighbors rather than creating parallel systems.

  • A Bigger Table

    We envision a world where no one is excluded from the table—where access to healthy, affordable, and culturally meaningful food is a shared right, where communities are rooted in justice, connection, and love. We dream of a world where young leaders live out God's love through intentional community and transformative service, where the beauty of God's kingdom is revealed in everyday life, and where the lines between "us" and "other" vanish as all gather as neighbors at one shared, sacred table.

    This is the world we're building, one meal at a time.