Through Stained Glass: A Mid-Week Reflection-Cheese Ball

Being a new person is difficult.

I recall many times in my life walking into a room where I knew no one and everyone else knew everybody.

Usually, in such situations, my face flushes, my breathing picks up, and I force smiles.

If there is a snack table, I’ll head there so I don’t have to make uncomfortable eye contact with folks I don’t know and see them whisper to their neighbor, “Who is that person?”

Most of the time this intensely introverted individual can be vulnerable enough to engage, albeit awkwardly, someone else; usually commenting on the flavors of the cheese ball.

On the flip side, being a group of people and welcoming new folks can be difficult too.

Collectively, we as a community wrestle with how we will be perceived and can become nervous. We want to make good first impressions and we want them to like us.

Thus, a storm of nervous energy is created because both parties want the same thing:  to be known.

Being aware of our surroundings and ourselves is essential for community. When we take the time to step outside of our own anxieties and consider what others might be feeling, tenderness and a deep sense of compassionate acceptance rises up. Suddenly, what seemed strange or unknown becomes, well, known and a connection can develop, which more likely than not, will lead to natural actions of kindness and generosity.

Friends, as human beings created in the image of God, we have been created for relationships. Hospitality calls us to an awareness of this deep relationality.

This is why the block party means so much to me. Especially since we just had a pork bar-b-cue and we will worship together the next day. As people of faith, we are to love our neighbor and to love our neighbor means to get to know them outside of parking in front of their house from 10-11am on Sunday mornings.

Did you know the English word neighbor comes from the Old English meaning a near dweller, one who dwells nearby? Thus, our block party is an attempt to extend hospitality by coming near to those who we may not know yet. In so doing, our awareness grows and we embody that part of our liturgy at communion that says, “No matter who you are, you are welcome here!”

The block party isn’t a fundraiser.

Nor is it a recruiting tool.

Rather, it is an event for God’s people to gather and share life.

It is an opportunity to move away from the cheese ball that is our sanctuary surrounded by similar smiling faces and move towards those neighbors who call our part of the world home.

So friends, this is your formal invitation to come and party for the sake of, well, community.

Sure the Illini are playing, as well as the Cardinals and Cubs, but that is why we have DVR.

The psalmist declares “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!”

Know that you and your friends and your family are invited to this dance we call faith—this practice we call hospitality.

More importantly, know the party won’t be the same without you!

Here’s to the block party and cheese balls!