How are you intentionally sharing love in action? Belonging Builds Community! A community of faith bumped up their “invite, thank, inspire” strategy as they prepared to share their donation statements. Personal handwritten cards of thanks and appreciation for support and belonging to their community of faith greeted each recipient, along with their general letter of gratitude and the givings receipt. Another community of faith bumped up sharing love and gratitude with delivery of their seasonal letter (perhaps you could do it with Lent, Easter or plan for Pentecost or summer greetings) by visiting all homes with a card and cookies. Set up a visible table to offer gifts of love. Use candies, a flower, a homemade craft, or something meaningful and unique to your community of faith. Show love with kindness cards, treats or messages of gratitude to local businesses, or other organizations, service providers and community partners. Be visible and connect with appreciation. See who you can work with to send a message of love to your wider community. Host an ice-skating party at a local rink. Bump up plans for pancake Tuesday as you host your own or support another local one. Host a coffee time, a tea, a meal that connects people beyond church walls. Who might feel on the edges right now?
How do we practice belonging beyond Sunday?
To explore these ideas or to reflect on what might fit your context, please contact me, Sharon Ballantyne, growth animator, at 506-306-0500 or by email at sballantyne@united-church.ca
You are also invited to a virtual 30-minute drop-in conversation each Wednesday morning, beginning at 9:45 a.m. Atlantic (10:15 a.m. Newfoundland and Labrador). Contact Sharon for the Zoom link.
Please note, Sharon won’t be available for the drop-in February 18, so plan to join Feb. 11 and 25.
