Putnam Says: Don't Bowl Alone : :

"Robert Putnam the Harvard political scientist who has tracked the declining membership in everything from bowling leagues to rotary clubs, wants Americans to start doing things in groups again. Putnam says that people who socialize have longer lives, better health and are better citizens. He spent some time talking on MPR this month." Link here if you would like to hear what he had to say at a recent Westminister Town Hall Forum. His words give much fuel for thought about how and why we live and work within or without organizational structures including church.

Comments

[timbur]

Such a time as this...

[Christi Benson]

P.S. All my family story to say: do we believe we belong to the story (each other and the world we live in) . . . that we have a place at the table only we (our presence) can fill . . . that when we take our place it makes a difference . . . does your sister . . . neighbor know their presence matters? Yep . . . whatever happens in the external world - being present to each other is what really matters. In fact it matters more than pain, illness, or even death (from OUT OF SOLITUDE).

[timbu]

"Don't bowl alone" sounds like the tagline from a horror movie.

I also find it a tad amusing as my, shall we say "church of origin", had a prohibition on going to bowling alleys altogether.

I think the social disconnection Mr. Putnam spoke about has also led to some of the polarization we've seen in both public and private life. It's easier to be polarizing when you only associate with the people who share your world view or if you simply don't have social connections.

I'm also relieved that I know why people rarely reciprocate after I invite them to dinner at my house.

[Christi Benson]

The story of Lucia is a story of light amid the darkness in Sweden. This is one of our family stories . . . one that reminds us that TOGETHER we live a story bigger than ourselves.

We tell this story and others when we are together to help the next generation to IMAGINE . . . OUR FAMILY . . . a living story with power to bring light and hope to each other and the world we live in.

My prayer is that it is preparing each heart to receive the really BIG STORY . . . believe that they belong to that Story . . . there is a place with their heart shape . . . one only theirs can fill.

Imagine our . . . church . . . group . . . community . . . a living story with power to . . .