Open House

Thursday, May 21st

Come on in!

We've still got flour left from before the lockdown. No, we didn't stockpile or rush out to buy loads before the supermarkets limited purchases to three or four of any item. We always had a regular stock because Jenny was always baking. Date and walnut scones for after morning worship every Sunday we met. Scones on a Monday for morning coffee with our friend Christine. A selection of scones - plain for Joe, cherry for Kerry, together with either brownie or lemon drizzle cake with sunken chocolate when parts of the family came to stay.

Open House at Christmas and at other times, any excuse to have people around. And then there were none! Plenty of potential to call and eat, but no customers. The only knock on the door these days is either the post person or a delivery. But they don't come in. So, it's taking a lot longer to get through the flour cupboard when there's only two of you. It is going to feel strange inviting anybody into the house again.

I wonder how we will all react to a situation where we can once again declare Open House? Will we be more eager than ever to invite people for a drink and a cake? Or will we be more cautious about who we invite into the cramped space of our kitchens, dining rooms and lounges? I guess it's not going to happen soon, anyway.

At our local church in Shiregreen, Sheffield, we have tried to model the concept of Church as a Hospitable Space. Older people's lunch clubs, social Café Valentine, afternoon dinner for the kids once a month. Not that food is the only way to be hospitable. Perhaps that's the key to a new normal. Finding other ways to be hospitable until we can all sit comfortably together again.

Maybe we can extend the virtual coffee mornings to a wider group of people in our neighbourhood. Perhaps we can offer safe one-to-one and small group meetings and therapies to those who need it most. Visit people in their homes if they will open their doors, until it is safe to use the minibus again and bring them together. Use our catering facilities in more imaginative ways. Create calm and reflective spaces where people can come in ones and twos to just be. Design a contemplative garden on our front lawn.

It's just a thought. But we will have to think hard about our ministry to the community as we enter a new era like none we have known before.Whether it is in our own homes or in our church and community buildings, we will be challenged to find ways to declare again: Open House!

At the door

When the sun is high and the house is full,

and the laughter is easy

and all is well -

Behold, I stand at the door and knock.

When the lights are low and the house is still,

and the talk is intense

and the air is full of wondering -

Behold, I stand at the door and knock.

When the lights are off and the house is sad,

and the voice is troubled

and nothing seems right -