September Hospitality Highlights, looking to October

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning is a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
[S]he may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

-Rumi
Found here.

This poem made us stop and think about hospitality to ourselves in a new way.

We had a good discussion about how we can be welcoming at church, with the reminder to all of us that we need to keep our eyes out for people who need to be greeted and welcomed and not get caught up in business. We also realized that we have to authentic in our greeting, true to who we are. We want to welcome everyone, but as a church we may not be the right fit for everyone--like people who want to get lost in the crowd and not be greeted!

October is chapter 10: what would Jesus eat? We've had wonderful shared meals--this will put us on our mettle!

We'll have three more months for this book. We had a brief discussion about what we want to do or read after this, so please be thinking about what you might want: another book, continuing the group in focusing on spiritual practices, ...