The students at Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, DC, were treated to a delicious meal provided by Disciples Eight, a CD Group at Asbury United Methodist Church, Washington, DC, where Dr. Eugene Matthews is Senior Pastor.

They provided a Saturday meal at Wesley on the evening of January 29, 2000; dining room meal service is not available at Wesley on weekends and many local churches have stepped forward to fill this void. Upon hearing of the request for assistance to the students, Disciples Eight adopted this outreach effort to help fulfill the Group’s covenant clauses that relate to compassion.

An added benefit for both Disciples Eight and the students was the opportunity for a quiet time of fellowship. The CD program was an interesting topic of discussion during dinner, as well as the sharing of information relative to the students’ studies and home countries—Russia, France, Germany, China, Ghana, the U.S., Thailand, England, and others.

Disciples Eight, established about six years ago, began when Group members were dissatisfied with their individual efforts under some of their clauses. They decided to engage in several group projects, including such outreach efforts as contributing Thanks-giving meals to the homeless and providing support to families in crisis. They continue to be amazed at how projects such as the Wesley dinner, which consumed so few resources, can be so enjoyable for all concerned.

As its name implies, the Group includes eight members: Andrewlette and Alexander Thompson, Mary Simmons, Ann and Frederick Price Jr., Mary Jackson, and Josephine and Isham Baker. Some have suggested that married couples should not be members of the same CD Group, but members of Disciples Eight have found their arrangement to be a very special, productive, and convenient one. They are convinced it has helped to support individual adherence to the Group’s covenant.

The Covenant members were as excited as the Wesley students were about their opportunity to provide this service at Wesley. All look forward to a similar experience again later in the year.

Ann Price is a member of Disciples Eight, Asbury United Methodist Church, Washington, DC.