Our emergent gathering

We had our second Kansas City emergent cohort gathering last night. We met at McCoy's in Westport, back in the "Tobacco Room." Our first gathering was last month and 19 people showed: artists, Catholics, Lutherans, Methodists, non-denoms, youth workers, etc. No women though. Last night we had about 40 people show up, three women. It's a start.

We had a good time. People went around and shared a bit about themselves and why they are interested in the emerging church, postmodernity, etc. It was cool to see so many connecting and building friendships. I am blessed to hang out with people who love God and are committed to the church. It was good to connect with people, talk theology.

The big downer was the air circulation system was down. There were a few of us enjoying cigars and a few pipe smokers. By 9:30 p.m., the smoke was so thick it was hard to see. Someone left and came back with a bottle of visine.

I left at 1:00 a.m. When I woke up this morning, the entire house smelled like smoke. Both floors. Mimi had been up since six with Blaise and she had a look in her eye like, "I'm not amused." I thought about leaving the offending articles on the deck. I couldn't even wear my glasses. I had to spray them down with Windex three times to get the smell off.

What is it about talking theology and smoking cigars?

Comments

[Paul Hensley]

Man, I can relate. Last time I went down to see Red Guitar at Jilly's I came home and Shekinah's response was, "You Stink!!"

[Daniel]

I think I smoked an entire box of Black and Mild last night. I was nauseating myself on the ride home but that didn’t stop me from getting the munchies and raiding the fridge. There is something about arriving home at two in the morning for me that makes my stomach churn for junk food. I was hording down everything I could fit in my mouth – really stuffed my face. After that, I thought I was ready to shower and sleep, but Jess and my dad showed up and broke out the ice cream…. I definitely have no self-control when ice cream is involved.

The worst part for me, besides the morning after aroma, is the taste on my toothbrush that is left over from a mouth stale with coffee and nicotine. I gagged myself brushing my teeth… After eating that smoke last night, I have decided it is time for a new toothbrush.

The conversations were great!

[Jacques Vanderdreschd]

Well...you need to let the rest of us in the nursery know when these gatherings go down!

[katy]

We at at McCoy's with Scott after church last night--my first time there. I checked out the cigar-smoking room. I think I'm going to schedule a little "ladies' night out" there! (My sons were amazed to learn last night that my jaded past includes smoke inhalation. "You never told us that," Kev accused. "You never asked," I said.)

[Tim]

Just make sure the circulation system is working Katy.

[Todd]

Ah I like good cigar, although I don't think I have ever smoked a good one. I tend to buy the cheapest thing I can find. I really just haven't taken the time to explore my cigar tastes I guess.

As far as theology and cigars...they go hand in hand. Several times I find myself sitting on my deck (in the open air so I don't stink) talking with friends about our faith and dreams. I think cigars just relax me.

A cigar story...
Back in college at SMSU I was involved in Campus Crusade. One spring we set up a day called Men's Day. The guys and male staff got together for 5 or 6 hours of paintball followed by the burning of dead meat (BBQ). At the end of the night the upper classmen set up something call DMS (The Dead Missionary Society). We went into a small room lit up a cigar and read from a book about Martyrs and pledged to live out our faith daily regardless of what might happen. Good times.