Creative Ways to Connect This Summer
It is the middle of summer.
I hope you are enjoying the extra daylight, warm days and all the activities that happen this time of year.
Let me encourage you to do them WITH people. An encouragement for fellowship…and summertime is a wonderful time for it.
Here’s a few creative ways to connect with others this week:
#1. Invite someone or a family to enjoy a meal outside together.
You can bbq at home, picnic at a park or just sit outside and eat some take-out together. There’s something about being outside that is relaxing, prompts good conversation (or silence) and is easy to do. Maybe your next door neighbors would enjoy a simple meal with you.
#2. Go for a walk with someone.
Westcliff Drive is close, beautiful and just about everyone loves a walk there. You can walk for miles or just to the nearest bench. Sometimes we forget we live so close to one of the best places to visit. A walk like that relieves stress, provides exercise and is a great setting for social interaction. Who comes to mind that you’d like to catch up with? Go for a walk. Bonus—Pogonip at the top of Spring Street is another great location for this kind of thing.
#3 Call a member of our church who is more homebound.
They might not have people over to dinner like they used to, or go for walks at the beach or hills, but they still want to connect socially. A quick visit can work or mail a card, but a phone call is almost a sure thing. I’m sure they’ll appreciate it and I guarantee the Lord will be pleased with your initiative to care for someone.
#4 Field Trip.
This is the biggest one, but maybe the best. Get some tickets to a baseball game up in the city, go to an art show, a state park or a concert together. Maybe there is a special restaurant you’ve heard about but haven’t visited yet?
I think this time of year is the best time to rest more than normal and also the best time to do more than normal.
I’d encourage you to do some of these with someone else—either in our church our outside of our church.
Go have fun together!
