Round Table Church

"The church is like a table, a table that is round."

Music by Ron Klusmeier
Words by Fred Kaan
Tune Name: McTAVISH

Lyrics as Poetry

The church is like a table,
a table that is round.
It has no sides or corners,
no first or last, no honours;
here people are in one-ness
and love together bound.The church is like a table
set in an open house;
no protocol for seating,
a symbol of inviting,
of sharing, drinking, eating;
an end to them and us.The church is like a table,
a table for a feast
to celebrate the healing
of all excluded-feeling,
(while Christ is serving, kneeling,
a towel around his waist).The church is like a table
where every head is crowned.
As guests of God created,
all are to each related;
the whole world is awaited
to make the circle round.

Words by
Fred KaanCopyright © 1985 by Hope Publishing Company
(Carol Stream, Illinois) for USA and CanadaCopyright © 1985 by Stainer & Bell Limited
(London, England) for all other territories

Comments About Song

Author Fred Kaan, from his book
THE ONLY EARTH WE KNOW
(page 54):

“I wrote this text on the 7:40 train from Coventry to London on 14 December 1984. It owes its inspiration to a poem by Chuck Lathrop, a former Maryknoll missioner in the
[U.S.] Appalachian Mountains. “

The Only Earth We Know
(Hymn Texts by Fred Kaan)
 is co-published by:Hope Publishing Company
Carol Stream, IL USA
(for USA and Canada)Stainer & Bell, Limited
London, England
(for all other countries)


Audio Sample for
”Round Table Church”

One verse played on piano

Season, Theme
or Subject

  • Church∶ community
  • Church∶ fellowship
  • Church∶ life together
  • Church∶ nature of
  • Church∶ unity
  • Community
  • Inclusiveness
  • Intergenerational
  • Table

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