St. Martin’s Table was started in 1984 as the first visible outward ministry of the Community of St. Martin, a worship community that meets now in the Trinity Lutheran Congregation space at the corner of Riverside and 22nd Avenues.

Garry Hesser, professor of sociology and director of Augsburg’s Sabo Center, and his wife were original members of the Community of St. Martin. Hesser says, “No story should ever be written about their 25th without noting that it was Trinity that provided the space at well below market rate as it embraced St. Martin’s mission and service to the West Bank.”

Tom Witt, another of the original members of Community of St. Martin, was also an Augsburg staff member for eight years in the Center for Global Education. Witt served on St. Martin’s Support Group (board) for the first 11 years. “The Table was dreamed up to be a peace education center that represented the values of St. Martin and how people of faith work for peace and justice in their lives,” he says.

The St. Martin’s Table restaurant serves organic, natural foods—tasty homemade soups, breads, spreads, and desserts—Monday through Friday for lunch. Volunteer servers donate their tips to support local and global hunger issues. Over the years, they have raised $660,000 for hunger organizations including Augsburg’s Campus Kitchen program.

“We always saw the proximity to Augsburg as being a plus,” Witt adds. “And I think Augsburg has also seen this as a companion ministry to their work in the community.”

The connections to Augsburg are numerous: Students participate in service learning projects there. Norm Ferguson, a former sociology professor, volunteered every day at The Table as do many current faculty and staff members and their partners. Mary Laurel True of the Sabo Center formerly served on the Support Group, and Michelle Braley, a social work professor, currently serves.

And, of course, many members of the Augsburg community visit St. Martin’s Table daily to enjoy a healthy and delicious lunch.

“Students get to know the community there,” True says. “It’s a wonderful place for our community to gather.”

St. Martin’s Table 25th Anniversary

Friday, December 4 – Free cake when you purchase lunch at the Table, 7:30 p.m. concert featuring Ray Makeever and the Heartland Band

Saturday, December 5 – Peace Pole dedication and performance by Caritas, an a cappella choral music group, 3 p.m.

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If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, have you shopped in the neighborhood recently? Within blocks of Augsburg’s campus you can find several stores filled with unique and affordable gifts, perfect for family or friends.

Not just soup and bread

Just a block west of campus at 2001 Riverside you will find St. Martin’s Table. Not only does this neighborhood favorite serve organic vegetarian food (with extended hours Tuesdays during Advent), but it also has a bookstore specializing in items promoting peace and social justice. The store is also brimming with unique gift possibilities such as Advent and Christmas books, jewelry, scarves, and music.

Items of interest include: Table Grace Dice , Gnomies—seven-inch Scandinavian-style, Ecuadorian-made dolls, a Women Artists date book, and CD’s such as Bread for the Journey (featuring Augsburg’s own Ray Makeever). December hours: M, W, Th, F 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesdays 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phone: 612-339-3920.

Nothing to ‘yarn’ at

Continue west and turn left on Cedar. You’ll come to Depth of Field, which not only has a futon and fabric store, but also a yarn store that carries enough yarn that, if un-spun, could probably reach Alaska. If you need a gift for a knitter, a weaver, or someone who just likes to play with yarn, this is a shopper’s paradise. Don’t miss the sale loft upstairs.

Gift ideas: “eat sleep knit” T-shirts, weaving loom and hook, and every variety and color of yarn you can imagine. Hours: M-F 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. Phone: 612-340-0529 x 3.

‘Made in China’ with a twist

Just across the street is Global Village, which carries everything from incense and candles to pet toys and clothing to wooden masks. “Everything from this store is imported from other countries,” says Ellen, the sales associate. “Our hats and mittens are very popular, and we also have a lot of baskets.”

Gift ideas: Chinese ginseng soap, Afghani mittens, a hand-made purse, and Mexican ceramic “Circle of Friends” sculpture. (The legend says if you give a “Circle of Friends” to a person you care for, your bond of friendship will endure forever.) Hours: M-F 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays noon to 5 p.m. Phone: 612-673-0366.

For the great outdoors

Need to buy a gift for the outdoor enthusiast in your life? Head north to Midwest Mountaineering at 309 Cedar Avenue South. Don’t miss Thrifty Outfitters upstairs, with its half priced closeouts and not-quite-perfect items. Since 1970 this store has been the “best outdoor gear and clothing repair services this side of the Pacific.”

Possible gifts include: fleece socks, Minnesota Weatherguide Environment Calendar, iPouch, and Timbuk2 Classic messenger bags. Hours: M-F 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sundays noon to 5 p.m. Phone: 612-339-3433.

Last, but not least

Short on time? Consider the Barnes & Noble at Augsburg College for your last-minute gift needs. Beyond textbooks and Auggie gear, you will also find unique gifts for all ages and tastes—from food for thought (books) to food for the body (chocolate!). Don’t miss the table featuring beautifully made products from around the world sponsored by Lutheran World Relief Handcraft Project, which seeks to provide income, dignity and hope to artisans and their families. The bookstore also carries edunLive T-shirts, which support trade and employment opportunities in impoverished regions of sub-Saharan Africa.

Other gift items: pop-up snow globes, “magnetic wisdom” packages, and the bargain book table. Hours: M-F 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Saturdays 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Phone: 612-359-6491.

So, before you muster up the courage to approach the mall, why not check out our local businesses? In addition to finding unique items, you will save the gas and make a nice walk out of it. (And, if you plan it right, you might just get to Midwest Mountaineering in time for the hot apple cider and Christmas cookies.)

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