This Weekend - Community Night

On Sunday, January 8th, at 5pm, we will have a "Community Night."

This is a time particularly designed to allow each person present to share what is happening in their life. What are the good things? The bad things? The challenges? The joys? Whatever the person or couple wants to share.

In response, the other people present will listen - truly listen. In some ways, our best response is simply, "We hear you." Other responses may be words of affirmation, love, or reminders of truths learned in the past.

To make the gathering that much better, everyone will bring food to share! Eating and drinking makes sharing life together so much more beautiful. For the sake of our hosts, Ian and Nikki, please post in the comment that you will be attending, and what food you will be bringing to share.

You can click on the calendar link to the right for more information, or email/call Jesse if you have questions: schroeder.jesse@gmail.com / 614-557-5768

Hope to see everyone there!

This Sunday: Community Night

This Sunday, March 27th, we will have a "Community Night," which means a time for each person to share whatever thoughts, feelings, events, or challenges they have experienced lately. We will meet at Nick's house at 5pm.

This will be a potluck - so please put in the comment section what item you will be bring.

Is the Cohort "Pointless"??

I think this is an incredibly insightful and thought-provoking post from Dan David Hayward, aka naked pastor. He describes the church as being "pointless." A selection from the post (with emphasis added):

If a church has vision and is goal-oriented, then it has deviated from its healthiest self and will impose burdens on its members. It will have become something else… like a lobbying group, an activist group, a missional group, or something other than just a church. It can still call itself a church. But it should admit it has opted for a utilitarian identity rather than just accepting its identity. A church will have to choose to be utilitarian or just be. It can’t be both.

In other words, churches should be pointless. Pointless like my family is pointless. My family is not without its problems and issues, but it is a vibrant, rich, joyful and dynamic community. But it is completely pointless. It doesn’t mean things don’t happen or that we haven’t had an affect on others or the world. But we are pointless. We’re not even intentionally pointless. We are just pointless. And I love it for that. That’s why I love to go home every day and just be, just relax, just love and be loved.

What do you think? Should church be "pointless" as Dan David suggests? This is very contrary to the contemporary idea that each church should find its identity, its mission and its purpose. But part of me really resonates with what Dan David is saying and I think he is on to something. I think he is describing that indescribable aspect of the cohort that makes it so valuable - we don't have to work at it. We don't have to force it or make it "something." It just is.


Are we pointless? Is that a good thing?

Community Night This Sunday

This Sunday we will be having a "Community Night." This is an evening in which we give each person who attends an opportunity to share a little bit about what is happening in life as of late. The point is to listen intentionally, to provide space to be challenged and encouraged by one another, and to grow closer together as a community.

This week we will have some special guests: Missionary friends from Papua New Guinea. They will share briefly about their work, and if anyone is interested, they can speak more with the missionaries after the gathering.

A few bits of instruction/information: Please respond to this blog post to say that you are coming. This will allow Julie and Chris to get an accurate head count so they can provide the right amount of food. You don't have to bring anything for the meal; you are simply welcome to come as you are.

Second, we have had several very long community nights in the past. So this week, we will be trying to keep everyone's time of sharing to an appropriate length (about 10 minutes or so).

We will start meeting at 5pm, and aim to be done at 7:30pm. We are meeting at Chris and Julie's house. You can call Julie's cell phone for more information. (937 572 2751)

Everyone is welcome- even if it is your first time. In fact, this is a great first meeting because it provides a chance for us all to get to know you. See you Sunday afternoon!

Community Night: Sunday April 11

Hi everyone -

This Sunday (April 11) we will be having a "Community Night" at the magically wonderful abode of Scot and Mary. The evening will begin at 5pm. Dinner will be provided, so don't worry about bringing anything.

Please RSVP by posting a comment so we can have an accurate head count.

A "Community Night" is simply a time for us all to catch up, share recent stories and life events, and spend time hearing what is going on with each other. Nothing fancy. Please join us, even if it is your first time!

This Sunday - Community Night

We have decided to start a monthly activity that will be known as "Community Night." Essentially this will be a time for each person in the cohort to share any recent updates, minor or major, and for everyone to affirm and support each other in a casual, open, sincere, and meaningful setting. It will be a great time for people who have been a part of the cohort for months to continue to share life together, and also a great time for new folks to jump in, get to know everyone, and share a casual evening together.

We will have a sharing meal, prepared by one person (or couple) for that evening. This week, Kellye and I will be serving a chicken noodle casserole, salad, fresh bread, and an apple crisp for dessert. Please respond in the comments or through email to let us know you are coming so we can be sure to have enough.

We'll meet this Sunday evening (10/25), at 5:30 pm, at the Schroeder's house in Grove City. If you need more information or have any questions, feel free to email me at schroeder.jesse@gmail.com