Reach Out, Welcome In!
No one should be lonely at the Feast. Make this the year you look out for others and include them!
The Feast of Tabernacles and Eighth Day are quickly approaching, and many of us have already made our travel and hotel arrangements. Perhaps you have other “Feast goals” such as spending time with special family members, daily Bible study or serving at the Feast. Another important goal for the Feast is to reach out to others. When you see someone sitting alone, make sure that you take time to say hello and get to know them. If it is possible, try to include them in some of your plans.
There are many instances where someone may be at the Feast solo. There can be brand new brethren attending the Feast alone for the first time. Perhaps they were the only one of their family who was called. There are times when, due to a divorce or a death, a spouse is attending the Feast alone when they used to have someone with them. There are also single parents, and there are young adults who are looking forward to making new friends.
No one should be lonely at the Feast, yet sometimes this can happen. One new member to the Church described her first Feast: “Attending the Feast of Tabernacles solo is hard. Seeing so many cheerful, large Church families is bittersweet—constantly observing (always as an outsider) the joy of multi-generational friend and family reunions. I also want to honor these special moments and memories without intruding.”
Psalm 68:6 says, “God sets the lonely in families” (New International Version). We know that the greater fulfillment of this is in the Kingdom of God. But at the Feast of Tabernacles, we are rehearsing the Millennium. This is a wonderful time to reach out and include others. You can start by saying hello to those seated around you. Take time to scan the church hall for those who are sitting alone. Perhaps bring small gifts that you can hand out to people you meet. Could you set up a casual lunch at your Feast lodging after services? Or perhaps inviting someone to a restaurant for lunch would be fun. Many Feast sites have tourist attractions. Consider someone’s age and interests and see if there is an activity they might like to join.
What if someone you invite says no? That’s okay. What’s important is that you have reached out and included them. As the Feast nears the end, exchange contact information. A weekly text or phone call can be a lifeline for those who are lonely. Many volunteer duties at the Feast are assigned in advance, but reaching out to the lonely is a job we all can and should be doing at the Feast!
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Joy Porter
Joy has been blessed to be married to Clint for 20 years. They have a busy household with two boys and two girls. Joy loves writing, long distance running, and chocolate. She also is a 2004 graduate of the University of Tennessee with Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education.
