tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post6176834379071150703..comments2023-11-03T05:46:44.728-04:00Comments on RevGalBlogPals: Ask the Matriarch: C is for CommunityStephanie Anthony/She Revhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10089531643725874239noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-7878290531331774102007-12-09T11:58:00.000-05:002007-12-09T11:58:00.000-05:00Sharing ourselves sometimes bringsresponses from o...Sharing ourselves sometimes brings<BR/>responses from others who have been less connected. Even in families there are occasional members who do not communicate much. I experience that with an<BR/>adult son and have decided to keep<BR/>in touch on a fairly regular basis<BR/>and hope it helps him. Carol Hollandcarol hollandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14732328643915793952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-66416931165010552462007-12-09T02:19:00.000-05:002007-12-09T02:19:00.000-05:00Thank you all for your suggestions and help! you h...Thank you all for your suggestions and help! you have been brilliant :) and given me alot to ponder!Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12245428263009453052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-78488545612488686892007-12-08T11:51:00.000-05:002007-12-08T11:51:00.000-05:00Good books on inclusion in diverse groups are by E...Good books on inclusion in diverse groups are by Eric Law. Click <A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/Inclusion-Eric-H-F-Law/dp/0827216203/ref=pd_bbs_sr_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1197132497&sr=8-4" REL="nofollow">here</A>.Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07287169546184325690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-16877105713219751352007-12-07T12:06:00.000-05:002007-12-07T12:06:00.000-05:00I've always thought it would be interesting to try...I've always thought it would be interesting to try and pair new members of the congregation with mentors who can be both friends and resource persons. I'm wondering if anyone reading this has tried this in their congregation.LutheranChikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02685566332651377907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-84855378935908654332007-12-06T21:28:00.000-05:002007-12-06T21:28:00.000-05:00I am wondering what kind of small group/home group...I am wondering what kind of small group/home group activities you all have. At my church, we have really focused on small groups which interact over the scriptures, care for one another, and do service projects together. We meet once a week in peoples homes. It has become a part of the very fabric of our church, and most people now feel that sense of community or belonging that we seem to be talking about here.<BR/><BR/>Another way we try to plug people in is by making a spiritual gifts discovery seminar a part of our new member class. We follow up with each person in an individual consultation, and try to help them find ways to become involved. As a result, more people feel ownership in the church.<BR/><BR/>Just my $0.02.Sue Densmorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00682551595454364410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-11979663543478495022007-12-06T18:28:00.000-05:002007-12-06T18:28:00.000-05:00It does sound like you are making changes from the...It does sound like you are making changes from the inside out. That is excellent.<BR/><BR/>I wonder if it's time to focus upon connecting with different people? If the "inner circle" of folks at church are unable/unwilling to connect, how about connecting with a new small group? Or focusing upon welcoming some newer folks, and opening yourself to relationship with them?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05717810311212306871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-12677109688838792582007-12-06T14:24:00.000-05:002007-12-06T14:24:00.000-05:00Depends a lot on the level of community one is see...Depends a lot on the level of community one is seeking -- close friends - only a few may have room in their circle for a new close friend. Less than close but caring - more space for new people. Able to do tasks together but never going to each others' houses - most can manage that. It took 10 years before I felt like I belonged to one church even when I had been elected to the vestry. One day an older gatekeeper woman told me she had missed seeing me at church when I had been out sick for several years. Then I felt in. I think it was more in my mind than in the communities mind. I had not seen the signs I needed to feel a part of it all. I do think checking with newcomers (especially those who don't stay) can give a community valuable feedback about how welcoming they really are.Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07287169546184325690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-77404742233705667732007-12-06T13:11:00.000-05:002007-12-06T13:11:00.000-05:00This is such a relevant question in my situation. ...This is such a relevant question in my situation. I am trying to help folks in my congregation--or at least the leaders, anyway-- understand an expanded meaning of the word community by changing the way we care for one another (as the gospel commands).<BR/><BR/>I have actually had ordained officers say to me "Why would I want to reach out to anybody who I don't already know and care for?"<BR/><BR/>Clearly the Holy Spirit, she has her work cut out for her. And so do we who try to work on her behalf.Juleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18324456402703897094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-61626938089095848582007-12-06T12:30:00.000-05:002007-12-06T12:30:00.000-05:00I feel for you, to use a trite phrase. My communit...I feel for you, to use a trite phrase. My community (as do most churches) sees itself as welcoming and friendly. We have had folks come to visit and stand around the narthex alone. So I go to folks and say go talk to this person. It is amazing to me that they believe reality is what they experience in church, not what a stranger might experience. I have pointed this out at session meetings, but the transformation that God calls us to is difficult.Joan Calvinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13858394238696729686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-65417974169983417102007-12-06T10:55:00.000-05:002007-12-06T10:55:00.000-05:00Community matters! You build it up one by one -and...Community matters! <BR/><BR/>You build it up one by one -and not usually at church functions either - but inbetween.<BR/><BR/>Don't give up - those working with the younger set (or younger themselves) usually get that it's not about cliques it's about being Jesus' hands, voice, ears and heart to all kinds of people in all kinds of situations.<BR/><BR/>most of it is not recognised- but God sees what we do and what we fail to do - and as scripture says - we'll be judged for it. That's incentive too- but mostly just treating others as you want to be treated is the best we can do - in all situations - remember names, stories, and engage - even if it does seem one sided a lot of the time.<BR/><BR/>Good question you raised :) thanksseethroughfaithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15041055467020894063noreply@blogger.com