Thinking big and small
Our meeting began with a reflective discussion on a passage from the Bible, exploring themes such as belief, the significance of baptism, and the Holy Spirit empowering believers. Tom Brackett led a discussion on belief and possibilities, encouraging participants to reflect on their personal beliefs and address fear and reluctance to believe.
Steve Matthews led a discussion on community engagement, encouraging attendees to step outside the walls of the church and engage with their neighbors through outdoor activities and social events. They brainstormed creative solutions to build connections and engage with the community, such as organizing community events and offering water to construction workers. Tom Brackett encouraged Algona to explore their history of hospitality and use it to create fresh expressions of ministry. The group also discussed the issue of loneliness in the community and brainstormed ways to combat it.
The meeting ended with a discussion on thinking big and small in community engagement, and the importance of belief in possibilities. Emily and Ghada Hamdan-Allen shared their thoughts on the theme, and the group reflected on a passage they read. The meeting closed with a quote and prayer, and a request to share new insights on the theme in the community section.
Overall, the meeting encouraged members to think creatively and playfully about how to overcome challenges and find opportunities for outreach.
“It is a strange and frightening discovery to find that the sacrificial life that Jesus is talking about is the giving up of our chains - to discover that what binds us is also what gives us comfort and a measure of feeling safe. Change, while it has promise, will take from us something we have found sweet. The image we have of ourselves may keep us from wholeness, but it has some very satisfying compensations. ...
Not only does change threaten something deep in us and call into being all kinds of resistance, it also threatens our friends. They, too, prefer the status quo. They may find us difficult to put up with at times, but something in them is also threatened at the prospect of the real change in us. They would be glad to have us give up a few irritating habits, provided we stay essentially as we are.”