In July of this past year, Peter Ryker, a beloved member of this community died.
For so many years, Peter stood right there in the kitchen, spatula in hand, feeding this beloved community. And if you knew Peter, you know he didn't just flip pancakes—he perfected them. He knew just the right moment to flip, the proper temperature of the griddle, and heaven help anyone who tried to rush him or suggest an alternative technique. That was Peter: committed, exacting, and absolutely devoted to doing things right—especially when it came to serving others.
Whether he was managing our property, serving Philadelphia's most vulnerable, or ensuring every single person here got a proper pancake, he showed up. Year after year. Shrove Tuesday after Shrove Tuesday. Sometimes grumbling, always caring, forever generous. He understood that service isn't just about grand gestures—it's about standing at the griddle when the batter runs low, fixing what's broken, feeding who's hungry, loving those who are shut in their homes, showing up when you're needed.
Tonight, we dedicate this engraved spatula in Peter's memory. May it remind us that he is still with us in this tradition, in this feast, in this community he loved and served so faithfully. And may we, flipping these pancakes in the years to come, remember the man who taught us that even the most ordinary acts of service—especially the most ordinary acts—can be offerings of love.
Prayer:
Gracious God, we give you thanks for Peter—for his cantankerous faithfulness, his generous spirit, and his devoted service to this community and to all your beloved children. As we gather for this Shrove Tuesday feast, bless these spatulas and all who use them. May we flip pancakes with Peter's commitment, serve with his generosity, and love this community with his whole heart. Keep him in your eternal care, and keep us mindful that in feeding one another, we feed Christ himself. Amen.
