Midweek Message February 5, 2026

Every community has its rituals. Some are sacred, some are practical, and some—like coffee after social hour—sit right in between.

The coffee is warm. The conversation is warmer. And for a brief window of time, people linger. It’s one of the most human parts of gathering together.

And then it ends.

Cups are half-full. Napkins are scattered. Empty carafes sit where full ones once promised energy and comfort. Chairs need stacking. Tables need wiping. And too often, a familiar pattern appears: the same few people quietly begin cleaning while others drift away, assuming—perhaps unconsciously—that someone else has it covered.

This isn’t really a post about coffee making and cleanup.
It’s a post about community.

First, a heartfelt thank you to our Welcome Team. Since our return from COVID, this group has faithfully made the coffee, served it, and cleaned up afterward—week after week. Their steady presence has helped restore a sense of normalcy, hospitality, and care at a time when community felt fragile.

We are deeply grateful for that dedication.

At the same time, our community is growing. With the number of visitors we welcome each week, it’s increasingly important that our Welcome Team can focus first and foremost on what they do best: welcoming newcomers and helping them feel oriented, seen, and at home during their first visits with us.

That means the rest of us are invited to step more fully into the shared work of caring for our space.

Coffee during social hour is deceptively simple. It isn’t glamorous. It doesn’t come with a title or recognition. And yet, it’s one of the clearest mirrors we have for how we understand community.

If community means a service provided for me, then cleanup belongs to someone else.
If community means something I attend, then responsibility ends when the cup is empty.
But if community means something I belong to, then cleanup isn’t an obligation—it’s participation.

Washing a mug becomes an act of care.
Taking out the trash becomes a way of saying, “This place matters to me.”
Asking, “How can I help?” becomes a quiet declaration of shared ownership.

As we continue to grow, may we all take a moment—cup in hand—to notice what needs doing and lend a hand. In doing so, we make room for our Welcome Team to welcome, and for our community to thrive together. You are invited to sign up below to assist with coffee prep. In the words of Wayne Muller, "We are called to be strong companions and clear mirrors to one another... we need the nourishing company of others to create the circle needed for growth, freedom, and healing." Sometimes, that simply starts with coffee.