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From The Rector
If you weren’t at Nativity on April 20th to take part in our second World Café, you missed something special. It was the second time for us to sit down and really talk to one another - in focused conversations about our life as a community of faith. At small tables, in groups of 4 or 5, with a host at each table, about 50 people engaged in conversation around the question: “Jesus said in John 10:10, ‘I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly’. In what ways does Nativity have life and have it abundantly?” In the process of discussing “abundance” here, people were able to share their stories, hopes, and visions for the future. During World Café conversations, people are encouraged to write on the tablecloths. Insights, ideas, questions, and drawings are left behind. For the second question, everyone but the Table Host left their table and sat at another, forming a different small group of 4 or 5. Table hosts brought the wisdom from the first conversation into the second - “How is Nativity, as a center of abundant life, a unique offering to the community around us?” The conversations continued, with new ideas (and artwork) written on the tablecloths. After the second question, everyone was invited back into the church where the Table Hosts each shared some wisdom revealed at their table. The tablecloths were taped to the walls and windows in the church for all to see. After a short time of discussion and sharing, we left with prayer for our church. The Wisdom: First, Nativity is described, accurately I believe, as loving and welcoming. We look out for one another, and we pray for one another. Second, our church is active and growing; we look to the future Our strengths are our diversity, acceptance, and inclusion. The most consistent need expressed by all the groups is that we need to get the word out about our church. This need was expressed at out first World Café, also. We also need to involve our youth more. I couldn’t agree more! Many ideas for “getting the word out” were shared - marketing and advertising, a bring-a-friend to church Sunday, giving out visitor’s packets, sending out flyers, sponsoring concerts, and taking part in community events. Wonderful ideas! As your rector, I’ve done a few things in the community this past month to get our name out there. I delivered the Invocation at the Fayette County Board of Education, and I was one of the local pastors who offered prayers on radio station J93.3 for the National Day of Prayer. I also started carrying my business cards in my pocket and handing them out to people I meet. Lori Overson has organized Nativity’s booth at the Fayetteville Art Fair on May 17 & 18. We are getting our activities into the local papers more often. There is still much work to be done, but we’re doing quite a lot. Please watch for more discussion and feedback from our café conversations in mysecond installment of “Tablecloth Notes”. OUR NEXT WORLD CAFÉ IS JULY 20. DON’T MISS IT!
Check out my blog: motherritasmusings.blogspot.com To e-mail Rev. Rita: motherrita@nativityepiscopal.org
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