Conversation Hearts—how they’ve changed over the last few decades. When the NECCO company began making these hearts in 1902 the sentiments were innocent and sweet: Kiss me, True Love, Be Mine, Sweet Talk. But by the millennium they’ve been changing to reflect the times. It’s funny how conversation hearts can have a slightly deeper meaning for a congregation dreaming, working and playing together.
Here’s a sample of the more recent sentiments:
- Dream team—Love My Team—You and Me—Purr-fect—Start Now…Doesn’t this just scream how important team work/shared ministry is for a congregation? (or From You I Receive, To You I Give?)
- Melt My Heart—Cloud Nine—Ever After—Amore—Got Love…Don’t we say, “Love is the doctrine of this church?” When genuine and respectful love emerges within our community, we all profit and grow.
- Wise Up—Let It Be—Chill Out—Time Out...Words to remember when conflict bubbles up.
- Dream—I Wonder—What’s Up?—Odyssey—Magic…It’s all about a common vision to create a magical community.
- ILU—UR A QT—UR A STAR—Email me—Fax Me—Page Me…Congregations need to keep up with the various ways to communicate and evolve.
- Cheer Me On—Teach Me—Rising Star...Mentoring each other into leadership helps with consistency, commitment, and knowledge transfer.
- Thank You—You Rock—You Go Girl—Bear Hug…Can we ever appreciate each other enough in varied ways?
- Sweet Home…Let’s create a spiritual home for all of us.
These little confections called conversation hearts do remind us to engage in ongoing conversation. If I manufactured these conversation hearts I might imprint on them such words as:
Imagine, Invite, Incarnate;
Clarity, Coherence, Consistency;
Enliven, Enthusiasm, Embody;
Voice, Vision, Vitality
The religious exploration committee deserves a special Valentine thank you for practicing the meaning of these words. The committee of Kelly Shea, Mark Peterson, Erin Boquin, Amber Ripoll, Kay Ulrich, and Jim Cooley have remained focused on ‘the big picture’ of mission/vision/goals while helping with the little (but very important) details of childcare, safety, teacher support and appreciation, resources, curricula, and much more.
My hope as we proceed with the RE program this semester is that parents and others partner with the committee to ensure rich and deep experiences across the lifespan. The committee can’t and shouldn’t do this work of the heart alone.
And did I forget to say to all the Cool Cats and Cool Dudes…you have a heart of gold.
Benette Sherman
Interim DRE
