The Church at Play
“The Church At Play” is going well. We’re meeting in our gym at 6:00 for dinner together — with everyone bringing their own dinner plus one extra dinner for those who may come without anything. Then around 6:40, we have a short devotional together — something that underscores the strengths of being intergenerational.
After that, we play. One week people had the option of watching “Cars” or sitting longer with an endless supply of watermelon. The next week was “water week.” People headed out with the children for water rides and water games that had been set up. (Again, many chose the safer, drier option of continuing to visit in the air-conditioning.) Then this week, it was Domino night (billed as “The National Game of Texas” — you know, Texas would not settle for “the state game” . . . “That’s right, you’re not from Texas,” as LL might say.) That included Domino camp for the game-challenged, serious games of 42 in another room, and children setting up designs of dominoes so they could flick them over in the atrium. Another renegade bunch played something I’d never seen in the gym.
We won’t do this forever. Just four more week. It, too, would get boring after awhile.
But it’s been a nice time of eating, praying, and playing together.
Mike, I am loving playing with our family. Each time has given me the opportunity for conversation with family that I don’t usually have contact with. I missed the water night…so sad…that would’ve been fun.
Haven’t played 42 in years! That would be since I lived in Texas of course.
I tried for years to teach my friends to play 42 after we moved to Arkansas from Texas when I was 14. Rook was the game of choice for Arkies in this area back then. There’s something about the shuffle of the dominoes that cards just don’t have!
John & I enjoyed learning the National Game of Texas when we lived in Abilene. Great memories with great friends. I don’t think we (I) ever won a game, though. I was in a foreign land.
Now Spades is a different story…
How I’d love to join in with the Highland family at play, but my asthma just does NOT like the later afternoon heat, so haven’t been able to do so. It sounds wonderful and I love domino games, love ‘em! Drats!!! Maybe we’ll have another chance at play during snow time. Ya’ think? Please, please, please?
I keep meaning to comment on this. I think it’s a fantastic idea. Yeah, I like the learning aspect of church, but I’m also a giant nerd. What I love more is seeing the people of God come together and really, truly enjoy one another’s presence and grow together — like family does. Sounds like there’s a lot of wisdom in play.
Sad to hear Highland won’t be doing it forever. My husband and I were just talking about how we hope it will still be going on someday when we have kids!
Now are you playing 42 or dominoes?
I have a lot of childhood memories wrapped up in the sound of the dominoes being shuffled and clicked when a family reunion was going on. I’ve been known to fall asleep under the card table.
Just wanted to let you know I linked to this post in my most recent blog post. I love this post! Because it sounds alot like what our church did this summer…we shared a meal and devotional, but instead of games, we opened up a little coffee shop w/live entertainment each week! We sang, danced, karaoked! It was great!