In this fourth episode of The Table series, we head to South Africa to sit down with René August, a global peace building specialist and Anglican priest. As we approach Easter, René leads us to the communion table, reflecting on the Last Supper as a radical site where Jesus intentionally pauses and rewrites the story. She beautifully describes how the table is a "divine collaborative" space where God’s gifts of wheat and grapes meet our human contribution to become the bread and wine of peace.

Through personal stories of radical hospitality and a deep dive into the Gospels, René challenges us to stop rushing and instead linger at the table. We explore the "self-offering love" of Jesus, which calls us to say yes to being broken and poured out for the benefit of our neighbors. This conversation is a powerful invitation to be truly present—to grab a cup of tea, allow God to stir something new within us, and embrace a radically different way of being in a polarised world.

• Go deeper with René's reflection in The Table - Tearfund's 2026 Lent devotional series

In this episode of The Table, we travel across the African continent to Mozambique and Zimbabwe to chat with Armando Licoze and Blessing Chaipa. Sitting around the table in Matthew 9, we see Jesus doing something truly scandalous: eating with tax collectors and "sinners." Armando and Blessing help us see this through a fresh lens, showing how Jesus uses the table to break down social walls and invite the very people the world pushes aside to a place of belonging and purpose.

The conversation dives deep into the idea of "God’s Economy"—a way of living where we move from a mindset of scarcity to one of abundance. We explore how community-led development and shared meals can actually restore dignity and heal old wounds. Whether it's through a local savings group or a quiet conversation with a neighbour, this episode is a beautiful "call to adventure" to be fully present with one another and open our hearts to a different way of being in the world.

• Go deeper with this week's content in The Table - Tearfund's 2026 Lent devotional series
• Looking for table conversation cards that prompt meaningful discussions around justice? You'll find them in the Host Kit when you Share the Table - a resource for groups to turn a meal into a moment of abundance, belonging and justice.
• Check out Armando Licoze's book, Dare to Breathe: From Lament to Liberation - a Theology of Hope from the Margins

In the second episode of The Table series, we gather with Melbourne-based songwriter and worship leader Rory McKenna (of the band Tekoa). Together, we explore the challenging yet transformative invitation found in Luke 14, where Jesus encourages us to invite those who cannot repay us to our feasts.

This conversation reminds us that true hospitality isn't just about being friendly—it’s about choosing to delight in the presence of someone different from ourselves. We are invited to move from "doing for" people to simply "being with" them, making room for joy, celebration, and mutual respect. We're challenged to consider what keeps us in the doorway instead of coming in and joining the celebration.

• Go deeper with Rory's reflection in The Table - Tearfund's 2026 Lent devotional series