Hope to See You at Dinner
Dear Hope Church,
One of my greatest joys is meeting new people and making deeper connections with others. Maybe it’s from my upbringing as an Air Force brat or from my frequent moves in my 20s and 30s. Whatever the reason, it always amazes me how we can find commonality with people that seem so different from ourselves. Maybe we share a previously lived in city, a profession, a hobby, or similar life struggles. Finding these touch points gives us openings into each other’s lives and a way to know and serve one another more meaningfully. Isn’t that what the body of Christ should be about?
I was thrilled to hear that “Hope to See You at Dinner” was being revived. When we participated years ago, gathering in homes for a nice meal and deeper conversation with surprise guests was a true blessing. Eric and I can still remember the faces at the tables of the Stogners and the Bells. We interacted with church members and attenders that we really did not know well or at all beforehand. The lovely impression of the meal still lingers in our memory, though we could not tell you one item on the menu (I do remember the calm presence of the Stogner’s dog and learning that Dudley Bell is apparently a master at character voices when reading Harry Potter aloud.). We left those meals with new or deeper relationships.
The pandemic had great impact on our American culture. One of the most obvious negative consequences has been loneliness. The statistics are clear that we do not invite “outsiders“ into our homes very often. Eric and I are convicted by that statistic because we know that we are part of the problem.
Please join us in this unique opportunity to extend hospitality to one another and to expand the depths of our relationships in the congregation. We are, after all, a family under God. And, we hope to see YOU at dinner!
Jennifer Hein