Fraternizing

Opportunities for friendship arise at all moments of the day.  Opportunities for building bridges appear sometimes when we least expect them.

Evidence a social gathering last evening at one of the Anglican churches here in town.  I had been invited to attend along with a friend who wanted to drop in for a few moments to renew some friendships and to say hello.  As it turns out, I myself knew not only the hostess of the party, but some others of the invited guests.  The fact that these friendships bridge the distance between Christian communities of various confessions was irrelevant for the moment.  Where there is friendship and room for chatter, there is little room for pointing out differences.

Whether in a church hall, a neighbour's house, during a formal gathering or an informal cuppa, there should always be time for checking in with friends, for opening the door to new relationships, for greetings to be shared and for stories to be told ... and all begins with a healthy understanding of the word fraternize: the act of associating cordially, in a fraternal or friendly way.