10 Ways for Introverts to Get to Know Their Church Family...

Actually, I just have 2 ways.

#1: Be married to a banjo-playing, mouth harp plucking, djembe pounding, conversation without-any-particular-filter initiating environmental designer. This option will undoubtedly launch you into a plethora of awkward social situations. You WILL be forced to get to know people. You'll be grateful in the end, though.

#2: Invite lots and lots of people from said church family to your minuscule abode in the attempt to throw an unofficial, messianic Jewish, while none of us are Jewish (save Max), Sedar dinner on Good Friday.

WARNING: While these two events are not mutually inclusive, as the occurrence of option #2 does not necessitate the existence of option #1, the events described in option #2 will unquestionably ensue should one successfully achieve option #1. I speak from experience.

Jewish custom calls for the Sedar dinner to be performed on the first or second night of Passover, and it commemorates the exodus of the the Jews from Egyptian captivity. It also reiterates God's promise to His people that the Messiah will come to deliver them from the sin of this world and into a new Jerusalem.

As Christians, we believe that Jesus Christ was the Messiah and did die for our sins as a fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies. God, who is love...I like to wrap my mind around that sometimes. God is LOVE. Love cannot exist without God, and as we are made in His image, we feel the emotion of love. It's so easy to quantify God as an angry, or worse, emotionless figure residing in the sky. That is so far from the truth. Our fullest capacity to love as humans is minute in comparison to God's constant existence as LOVE. He loves us soooo much! So he died for us. Jesus Christ, the son and human form of God, allowed himself to be torturously beaten and nailed to a cross so that we may be with God eternally. Gosh...what can one say but "Yes, Lord. Thank you, Lord."

Still, as Christians, our heritage found in the Jewish faith is undeniable, and I would encourage any of you to host or attend a Sedar sometime during the next Passover. Or anytime, for that matter. It is a ceremony rich with the culture of God's people and the remembrance of his faithfulness. Don't be intimidated by the word "ceremony", though. Allow me to provide you with some imagery of the attempted Lacy Sedar feast and offer some pointers. Don't worry; we didn't set the bar too high.

#1: If you only have a kitchen dinette with four chairs and approximately 13 people in attendance, don't fret. Put the leaf in it and position a plastic folding table haphazardly next to it. Then utilize every chair or ottoman you have in possession. Dark burgundy wingbacks mixed with light mauve grandma chairs provide an excellent, sort of "Alice in Wonderland/Mad Hatter Tea Party" ambiance.

#2: Learn the difference between a Matzah cracker and a Matzah ball and when it is appropriate to use both. Apparently, the leader (B in this scenario) is meant to break a Matzah cracker and pass the pieces to his fellow Sedar participants...not a soggy, dripping Matzah ball.

#3: If you decide to go ahead and provide actual wine for the four ceremonial cups, keep in mind that these "cups" are actually more similar to "toasts". One need not dilute wine with grape juice for fear of a wine famine by way of over consumption. In other words, don't worry about your guests getting toasted. 4 cups=4 toasts/sips.

#4: While it is a ceremony meant to be performed with some reverence, don't forget that God has a sense of humor, which is why we do, so have fun and laugh.

By carefully following these instructions, any introvert can be on their way to creating new friendships and healthy spiritual ties. And you'll be eternally grateful for God's humor and consideration in providing you with a banjo-playing, mouth harp plucking, djembe pounding, conversation without-any-particular-filter initiating environmental designer for a husband.

Bis Bald,
Sarabeth