Fruity folks UNITE week 1 - Day 4

Once again another moving reflection by Robert Schnase. Imagine watching the man at the hospital walk away alone after loosing his wife, her wedding ring and eyeglasses in an envelope. How sad. Thinking back to my own experiences of loss it is hard for me to imagine not having a supportive community surrounding me while I went through it all. Yet so many people "go it alone." Many because they don't know a loving, caring community/church that would welcome/care for them. I think so many people have written off church because of past experience, past hurt or just because it was never a positive (or any) influence in their lives.

I love the image of the king who says go and invite everyone into the banquet... "Go search the streets and bring them all in!!!" the King shouted. I believe that is God's message to us about our "banquet."

When was the last time you invited someone to church? Not in a preachy way but just in a "I know you are sort of lonely and need some support" way. I know it tends to be hard for us New Englander's to invite someone to church without feeling like the next thing we will be doing is standing on the corner handing out religious fliers. It question is: How will that man who just lost his wife know there is a warm safe place for him to heal if we don't invite him? How will that friend know that there is a larger purpose in his/her life if we don't introduce them to place we heard that message? Again we must face the question: Who does God have, but us?

I await your thoughts on the reflection . Rev. Patty

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.