May 3, 2023 Weekly Update
Greetings church!
Do you think grocery shopping can cure loneliness? Recently I saw an article that proposed that idea! Jumbo, a Netherlands based supermarket chain introduced something called “Kletskassa” at 200 of its 700 stores. “Kletskassa” (say that five times fast!) translates to “chat checkout.” It’s a special checkout lane for customers who are not in a hurry and would appreciate a little small talk.
Jumbo grocery chain began this checkout lane idea in 2021. The idea of “Kletskassa” was designed to help combat loneliness in older adults, but the chat checkouts are open to all. Other stores and companies started similar initiatives as early as 2019. Loneliness isn’t often talked about, especially among older adults who sometimes find themselves more isolated than at earlier stages of life.
The “kletskassa” reminds me of part of our purpose as God’s church. We are all invited by God to build a Christian community of nurture, care, support, and justice. Our fellowship time on Sunday afternoon helped us raise funds and awareness about the ministry partnership between our conference and the East Angola Conference. But it also helped us spend time with one another and nurture friendships and fellowship.
The Care Team had the same idea when they planned our “Fellowship Gatherings.” How can we spend time together – especially with new faces – and grow the connections among our community? By gathering together for informal meals around the tables of our neighbors – just like Jesus and his disciples so many years ago. Check the clipboards after church on Sundays and sign up for a gathering. We’ll be scheduling a couple more dates in June over the next few weeks.
And don’t forget our birthday celebration after worship on Sunday morning! We’ll have a little cake and sing to our friends with May birthdays!
Easter blessings,
Pastor Jared