The Welcome Table is the largest community ministry at Church of the Epiphany, located in downtown Washington D.C. We feed 200 guests a hot breakfast every Sunday morning. I am writing this article to salute a great man, Mr. Bob Wallen, who is retiring as the Welcome Table morning musician. Bob volunteered with our program for more than 25 years.
Bob grew up Baptist in Port Neches, Texas the only child of Alexander and Mamie Wallen. After his graduation from Baylor University, he left Texas for the Virginia Theological Seminary. He felt a calling to the priesthood but after his second year at VTS, he decided the priesthood was not for him. He sometimes jokes about his calling, saying they had the wrong number. He finished with a master’s degree in theological studies, doing his fieldwork here at Church of the Epiphany under the leadership of the Reverend Edgar Romig.
Bob became an employee of the United States federal government in 1970. He retired in 2011 with a grand celebration at Epiphany with guest speakers, a jazz band and a special performance by the Welcome table choir.
Bob has been a member of the Church of the Epiphany for fifty years and has served on every committee. He served on the vestry (church council) and as the warden, which is like being the head of the House of Representatives. Nothing goes on in the church without going through the vestry.
In 1994 the church welcomed Reverend Randolph Charles, who soon noticed that the 8 a.m. Sunday service had a diverse congregation. The majority of attendees were African American; many were poor, some were homeless, some had mental health issues and some had other challenges. The Sunday morning service is now called the Welcome Table, so named as a way to make everyone feel welcome in God’s place. On Sundays, tables are set up and after morning worship a hot breakfast is served on real china. Reverend Charles would sit at a different table each week and talk to our guests. One day he talked with Bob about changing the music for that service. Bob accepted the reverend’s challenge and started playing more familiar hymns and Gospel music for that service. As I mentioned, Bob was raised Baptist. This was in 1995, the beginning of his 24-year commitment.
My name is Hubert Pegues, also known as Peate. One Sunday morning I came to the Welcome Table to eat breakfast. The choir was directed by Bob and Ms. Carolyn Bledsoe. I enjoyed the music so I decided to join the choir, not knowing if I still had a strong voice. You see, years ago in college, I studied voice but I used drugs and alcohol for more than ten years and had become homeless. Surprisingly, the voice was still there! I gave my life to Christ and this was the beginning of my new life. I checked into a rehab place for a year and have been going strong ever since. In rehab, they put you through a 30-day blackout, with no phone calls or visitors and confinement to the building. After the blackout I got in touch with Bob and he used to pick me up for church and then take me back to the facility. When we talked on the telephone he gave me encouragement. In 2013, Ms. Bledsoe left her position at the church and we were without a director for a couple of months. Then one Sunday after the service Reverend Charles called me into his office and asked me to become director of the Welcome Table choir. I agreed and it was the beginning of an even closer relationship with Bob. I was raised A.M.E, Zion and Bob taught me the way things are done in an Episcopal church.
The Welcome Table continues to be a strong ministry in the church. This is where I received my help and now I am here to give something back. I have watched Bob over the years, constantly giving. He is a tither; he pledges and donates a great deal of his time. He purchased new choir robes and 150 copies of the new African American Heritage Hymnal for the congregation.
Bob told me that he’s ready to retire from his volunteer job and take some time for himself. He married his life partner of more than thirty years, Alan Price, owns their home and has a 17-year-old dog named Barney. If you or someone you know is in the Welcome Table choir or has formerly sung with us and would like to sing with Bob one last time, please join us Sunday, September 22, 2019, at 10:30 am at Church of the Epiphany.
Bob, it has been great working with you and may God continue to bless you! It is good to know that you will still be attending church here.
Love, Hubert (Peate) Pegues
