4 Wordle-Worthy Ideas for Your Congregation
Happy Groundhog Day (again)! Happy 2/2/22! Since I hardly ever write checks anymore, I thought I’d give myself an excuse to write 2/2/22 (again!). Fun fact: did you know the heyday of checks was 1994? Feel old? Join the club! And, we’re going into year three of COVID! Happy Groundhog Day!
This has got to end at some point, right? It’s hard not to feel a little angsty. Cue Sonny and Cher singing, “I Got You Babe.” It’s hard not to feel like we’re in an endless loop.
How do we stay in what seems like perpetual liminal space, knowing that this (meaning COVID) can’t possibly keep going on…all the while we (our churches and organizations) keep trying to transition into whatever is the new normal?
Thank you, Wordle.
Thanks for taking us out of our collective doom and gloom and into something that’s positive, community-centered, and makes us think. We need the distraction. Every day on Facebook people share their scores (no spoilers, please). While I don’t share on Facebook, two of my girlfriends and I are texting between three states our Wordle scores and strategies. What a delightful diversion.
Oh, yes, I know…you too, Wordle, shall pass.
But is there something that you can do for your congregation that is Wordle-worthy?
Something fun? Something silly? Something that everyone can get into?
Recently, Liberty House, a non-profit in Salem (OR), sponsored a contest. Liberty House is a child abuse assessment center; hardly an easy topic. However, someone donated an enormous stuffed teddy bear that was sitting in the lobby. That poor bear was nameless. So, Liberty House held a “Name the Bear” contest. It was a hoot to see all the names that came in. And the winner? Butterbean!
So how about you?
What can you do to create a sense of community and fun during our never-ending COVID loop?
1. Create a “Top 10” list of your congregation’s favorite hymns and/or praise songs.
2. Have a contest to name a random door in your building.
3. Encourage people to take fun/funny photos of themselves before online worship and send them in to be shared.
4. Maybe, “Name that online worship service.” (Bonus! Naming your service can create a sense of identity and community in and of itself.)
What does this have to do with generosity? It has everything to do with generosity.
- The more people feel their voice is heard (even for something light-hearted),
the more they feel like they belong.
- The more people feel like they belong,
the more they identify with you and your community.
- The more people identify with you and your community,
the more they will want to contribute their time, talent, and treasure.
Maybe you won’t create the next Wordle, but you can do something that’s fun and meaningful to your congregation or organization. It’s Groundhog Day, it’s 2/2/22, and for now, it’s still COVID. Time to put a smile on people’s faces.
P.S. Don’t forget – Valentine’s Day is just around the corner – a perfect time to express love and fun. Get three ideas on how to celebrate here.
Cesie Delve Scheuermann (pronounced “CC Delv Sherman,” yes, really) is a consultant in stewardship, development, and grant writing. For 25 years, while working as a volunteer and part-time consultant, she has helped raise over three million dollars for numerous non-profit organizations. Don’t now who Sonny and Cher are? See them sing their classic song here. You can reach Cesie at inspiringgenerosity@gmail.com or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/inspiringgenerosity or at CesieScheuermann.com.
If someone has forwarded this to you and you would like to subscribe to "Inspiring Generosity," click here. Miss an issue? Click here. Want to see more stewardship resources? Click here.