I love summers in Rochester. The long days and warm temperatures make the frigid months of January and February feel like a distant memory. Summers here are an invitation to slow down. There are opportunities to play in the yard, take long strolls, and stop to talk with neighbors instead of retreating to our caves for hibernation.
As a church, we want to create space to connect with each other during this unique season. Instead of replicating the activities we do during the rest of the year, our intention is to provide space for community and reflection. This summer we are trying something brand new called “Browncroft Summer Nights.” The objective behind this event is to make a big church feel small as we hang out in a casual setting and connect with some of the people we might not get the chance to talk to on Sunday morning.
During the month of July, we will be opening the church in the middle of the week (Wednesday evenings, July 10, 17, 24 and 31) so that people can gather, get to know one another, and process the content from the previous Sunday sermon. This is not a highly programmed time. There will only be 30-45 minutes of structured discussion around tables. The remainder of the night will be informal so that people can play games together and talk. Since July is a popular month for vacations, each night is crafted to stand on its own. You don’t need to attend all four to benefit.
Our prayer is that Summer Nights will be a blessing to everyone who attends and foster a sense of belonging we don’t always get to experience on a Sunday morning.
Because these nights will feel more like a church social than a Sunday service, no childcare will be provided– but don’t let that stop you from bringing your family! The playground and gym will be available for parents to utilize during the discussion portion of the evening. Those with older kids can use this as an opportunity to bring them into conversations about Sunday as well.
For those of you who enjoy knowing schedules ahead of time, here is an overview of what the evening will look like…
6:30 – 7pm: Arrive and connect with one another
7 – 7:45pm: Discussion about Sunday’s sermon around tables
7:45 – 8pm: More connection time
As you can see, the night is designed to be simple. The priority is to foster our relationships with people rather than to institute an intricate program. Our prayer is that Summer Nights will be a blessing to everyone who attends and foster a sense of belonging we don’t always get to experience on a Sunday morning.
In order to help us plan for space, it is helpful to know if you will be joining us. You can use the button below to sign up for any of these Wednesday evenings in July. I hope to see you there!
