Over the past 5 weeks our venue has been hosting a weekly event called Granny Green's Big Night Out. It's billed as a night out for people who secretly like to stay in - a creative space for people to bring their knitting, sewing, card-making or website building and enjoy doing it in a sociable environment. Along the way much cake is consumed (actually, we could probably do with more cake being consumed - it's not the most profitable night that we hold), advice is sought and given, opinions are aired and friendships are formed. In addition to the crafty stuff we have a monthly book group, monthly film group and various workshops and demonstrations. I love it and I'm really proud of what we are building. It's nothing new - it's just a unisex WI for a new generation - but I think that community is being formed and I know that creativity is flourishing.
It's never going to be a big money-spinner for us as knitters don't have enough spare hands to drink vast amounts of coffee, but it meets our charitable aims and I believe God's kingdom is being built on Monday evenings between 6 and 9pm in our corner of the Grassmarket.
There are a few things that I am learning from running Granny Green's. The first is that I am frustrated by fact that Christians in the city do not seem to be able to grasp how simple evangelism can be. It's just making friends and introducing your friends to your best friend. It's not hard. But to do it, you need get out and start making friends. That might mean less time spent in meetings. Fewer strategies and more action. Being prepared to listen to other people's thoughts and opinions. And avoiding judging their life choices. So far (as far as I am aware) I'm the only Christian regularly involved in the event, although I'm planning ways to convince others of the white harvest of crafty people that awaits.
The second thing I have learned is that partnership is powerful. We are running this event with two girls who both run their own crafting communities. Of the two, one is more committed than the other, and we work together very well. We are very different, and I suspect our worldviews would clash over a number of key issues, but we are both trying to achieve community amongst this group and create an environment where people can learn from others and develop their own creative gifts. Debra Green of Redeeming Our Communities spoke at our church recently, and this was a point she made very strongly. When there is common purpose it doesn't matter if we don't all sign up to the same basis of faith (or any basis of faith for that matter). Indeed we ought to actively seek partnership for the good of our communities. I am thrilled to be working in partnership with my Granny Green collaborators. They have skills and contacts that I do not have, and I'm sure they'd say the same about me. I pray for them, and for the various people who come in search of community on a Monday evening, and I look for opportunities to tell them about my best friend.
The final lesson is the importance of bringing staff along with me. Again, they may not share my worldview, or even my desire to see this event happen, but by seeking their opinion and working hard to include them in my thinking about what is happening, I can see them blossom. One member of staff in particular, a waitress who has worked in the bistro for 5 years, has become the regular member of staff who works the Granny Green night and she has made the role her own - every week she spends time setting up the bistro, creating a design for the whiteboard that welcomes people and making people feel at home. It's given me time to get to know her too, and create another level of community.
Partnership...it's not always comfortable, but it's working for us. And I think it pleases God's heart more than a little.
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