Cultivating Fruitfulness- Week 1- Day 1

Welcome to week 1- day 1. Okay, here is my initial attempt at creating a blog as a way of sharing with one another. I realize the board is currently very busy with preparations for this Sunday's meeting but my hope and prayer is that each day you will take a few minutes (honest, that is all it will take), read the daily reading and reflect on the questions offered or offer your own thoughts and insights. Please for now let's keep our conversations amongst the Board so we can share honestly. Hopefully my order of books will arrive in a day or so and we can widen our circle to include other staff and youth leaders.

For today we are asked in the reflection: "Do you remember walking into our congregation for the first time? What was it like? Who reached out to you?"

This Sunday I was aware of the whole "name thing" and tried at points in the service to see if I knew all the peoples names. Also I tried to be aware of new people. At the end of service I shook hands with a man who I had not met before, his name was George. He was somewhat disheveled and his hands shook. I thought to myself.... okay could this be Jesus? Boy he sure looks like he could use a cup of coffee and a treat. I felt so blessed that I could simply turn to the next person in line, Jack G. and say Jack, this is George, can you take him in and get him a cup of coffee. After a quick hug, Jack did as was requested. I realized that for the most part people are eager to help a newcomer or guest when asked. Would anyone have invited this "shakey" man in on their own? I am not sure. Does how a person looks impact our eagerness to approach? I know the anwser is "of course" but I think the question is a good one to ask ourselves. I just pray George got what he needed yesterday. And if all he or anyone needs on a Sunday morning is a warm place to come and a cup of coffee to drink, well welcome to them too!

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on our daily reading and the questions listed above. I love you all and am excited about embarking on this journey of fruitfulness together.