A good friend recently reminded me that I had not updated my blog in the time post-surgery. My ankle is doing nicely and progressing. I have been out of the splint and off crutches for about a week and a half now - back into the boot. I see my doctor this Thursday to get my stitches out and hopefully be out of the boot. Pain is minimal and I haven't really been taking any painkillers - occasionally I'll take some Tylenol but that's it for the past week or so.
The new semester (and my last as an M. Div. student) started today and as part of that I have been engaged in much theological thought in the past several days. I had an experience last night that made me pause and gave me some room for thought so I suppose I will share with you.
I was at a Super Bowl party hosted by some friends of mine. All the people in attendence were Trinity students until two people that I as well as the party hosts know, but are not seminary students, walked in. I talked with them for a bit and so did my friend John - but then I pulled back and watched. Nobody talked with the newcomers even after they were introduced. Granted, there was a football game and commercials on TV - but even as we headed into halftime and people moved from their seats and were talking to others near these two people, nobody engaged them. Here are a bunch of leaders in the Lutheran church and we can't get outside of ourselves, outside of our comfort zone, to welcome the stranger. I bet money there are very few people outside of the three of us who already know them that could tell me who the two are and what they do for a living. I felt horrible because in contrast, when I first met them, they were nothing but welcoming to me and engaged me when I was the stranger in the group. I think we as Lutherans have a lot to learn from them!
So now as I contemplate the nature of the church and what it looks like, I think hospitality is going to be a big piece I carry into my future ministry. Teaching people to be hospitible. Making sure that I am and holding myself accountable - always looking for the stranger and making sure they are no longer a stranger. Even if there is a big game on TV - I can take a few minutes out of my life to ask a few questions and get to know somebody. What's more important, the game or a relationship with a person?
Just some thoughts...
Kate
Monday, February 04, 2008
An Update and Some Thoughts
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2 comments:
You are so awesome! And that is so true. I know that stepping out of your comfort zone to talk to the new folks is something that many, if not most, of us have trouble with, but yes, as future leaders of the Lutheran Church, your folks certainly should be able to do a better job.
I have personally been working on just this, because it is WAY out of my comfort zone. But as a leader of Holy Cross Church (and as a council member I have come to truly feel and understand that I am exactly that - a leader of this church) I think it's crucial that I meet and talk to people I don't know and share the Good News that I am so excited about.
I have started on the Gospel According to Starbucks, and I think I will find much there to fill my quest to find out what we aren't doing right at Holy Cross and how we can do better. I also ordered a couple of books on Healthy Congregations, and several others of the ones I got you for Christmas. I'm really excited about what I will learn from them and being able to share what I learn with my Holy Cross family.
You have already made an impression on me about this important aspect of every day life, not just church life, so please know that you have ministered to me and enriched me already.
Love,
Mom
Kate - it has been ages since I last checked in on your blog. But I am screaming "Exactly!" We do need to be intentional about welcoming strangers - and not just when we are in our congregations or when we are "told to be on the look-out" but always. The scary thing is, in my experience, that folks don't even know that they are being unwelcoming.
And imagine - what those two guests thought or talked about after they left that party....a whole room of soon-to-be Lutheran pastors and...
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