Cohort Gathering Notes for Nov 18

We had a great cohort meeting on Saturday at Starbucks on Gandy. Thanks Sam for the suggestion of a meeting place.

We had lots of new folks: of the 12 people there, only three of us had been to a cohort meeting before. Folks traveled from east (St Pete) and west (Lakeland) to join us. Some have been in the Tampa Bay area for some time while others have only been here for a few weeks. We spent most of the meeting getting to know one another and learning a bit about what each person is passionate about.

While our group represents a diversity of passions, a common theme of social justice emerged, particularly around issues of poverty and homelessness. We talked about the harassment of homeless men and women in St Pete as the city redevelops downtown and the plight of poor and homeless people in Tampa as Tampa works toward redevelopment. We discussed the issues of gentrification that often come when cities seek to redevelop urban areas.

Several members of the group urged us to move beyond merely talking about justice to acts of justice. Bruce Wright at the Refuge Ministries in St. Pete told us about the Sleep Out on the Friday after Thanksgiving (see previous post). There are also opportunities to get involved in both grass roots ways and through organizations like Metropolitan Ministries.

We acknowledged that we need to work on multiple levels - direct work with poor and homeless people in the name of Jesus and advocacy in city and county government on these issues. If you are involved in projects that would be helpful for our group to know about, please let us know.

Our next meeting is currently scheduled for January 20. Some of you have expressed an interest in meeting again before then. Due to my schedule I can't coordinate the meeting, but if one happens and I'm able to be there I will be. You certainly don't need my permission to gather with friends in the name of Jesus!

May you all have a blessed and holy Thanksgiving.