Each year at this time dear friends of mine open the large field behind their coffee house (Beck’s Farmhouse Coffee), to have an event they call “Tabernacle. It is a feast that is from the Bible, although I cannot tell you what it represents.

What I can tell you is that it is an 8-day celebration. People come from all over the country to study, and reinforce their faith. But it is not exclusive to the followers of their faith - and of that I am the best example.

For the past three years I have attended - not as a camper, but rather as a visitor. Each time, I have been accepted as part of this community, even though my I am of a different faith. I am included in any activities that they have - including meals. There is never a charge, or even a request for a donation. And at no time has anyone ever asked me what my beliefs are, nor has anyone ever ‘preached’ to me.

One family take charge of one meal throughout the eight-day stay, and they supply the food for the entire community - at their expense, and they prepare it.

At night, after the meal has been consumed, people gather in different groups to have discussions about everything imaginable - and rarely about religion. There is also, for those who are interested, a variety of alcoholic beverages - ranging from beer, wine, and the harder stuff.

Various games are played: bean bag toss (which here in the south goes by a less desirable name), cards - yes, including poker. and sometimes even dancing.

This community of people are among the least judgmental people I have ever come across anywhere. They are about embracing one another as hman beings - as “children of God”. And they prove that people of different faiths, cultures, and backgrounds can get along - without jusgement.