Our theme was taken from the Bible Month materials – we looked at John Chapter 1 and considered Identity, with resources written by Ruth and used at our Cake and Conversation meeting at Mint Methodist Church. The conversation went far and wide and raised many questions, possibly more questions than answers!
What do we like to be called? What don’t we like to be called?
A variety of answers – Some ‘don’t minds’ and some strong feelings!
Who have been the influences in our lives?
Family members were mentioned as big influences in peoples’ lives, especially as people were growing up …. And this evoked the question, have we had the chance to tell them what an influence they’ve been?
Who am I?
We give ourselves a label, but that’s the quick answer …. Keep asking and keep thinking… maybe we’re still trying to find out… Do we shy away from the answer?
We may have different ‘hats’ and different roles in our lives.
We may have a crisis of identity at crisis points in our lives, such as retirement – or at times feel stripped of our identity e.g. when becoming a mother.
Who are you? Who are we in relationship with others?
If we were alone on the earth would we have an identity?
Those close to us can counterbalance our perception of ourselves.
Maybe each of us are a mix of contradictions, yet held by God.
There are things about ourselves that are so deeply part of us, it will always be there, whatever “hat” we are wearing.
I hope this summary of both questions and answers, gave a taste of how the conversation travelled. Please note, although I’ve sometimes used the term ‘we’ and ‘us’, people were careful to only speak for themselves and not make assumptions.
Diane
Ed Many thanks, Diane, for your summary of the conversation.