Page 15 - Nourish.pdf

recognized and honored by those who are serving them and those who engage them in conversation. The “regulars” can be a diverse group that can include the elders from
the household, friends and family members who frequently visit (and keep their own coffee mug in the cabinet) and team members or elders from other households.
6. A low pro le place, typically plain in appearance and built for other reasons
The kitchen/dining room is designed to prepare and serve meals, but in classic “third place” fashion its true purpose is serving as the social hub of the household. It doesn’t need to be fancy or opulent, but should rather connect with the emotional memory of the people who reside in the household.
7. A playful mood; where joy and acceptance reign
As with other “great good places,” the tone is often set by those few leaders (formal or informal) who spend their time there. Creating the mood can be a purposeful process that is developed as a result of the
conscious decisions of the elders and team members in the household. Learning circles are the perfect
tool to facilitate a discussion about this issue that allows each member to have a voice in shaping the environment.
8. A home away from home where people are regenerated, restored and experience “the freedom to be” Whether it is having a cup of coffee or a meal, just visiting with friends or working on a craft or ministry project, the kitchen provides an environment where each elder can live with purpose. The combination of sharing experiences with people who care about you and serving others (in whatever fashion that
may take) tends to be a regenerative experience for many.
9. Provides the habit of association, so necessary for the organization of society
The identity of the household provides a ready association for all who gather in the kitchen. There is both a connection and a purpose for all who spend time in that space that provides them with a shared identity.
10. Provides a means of keeping people in tune with the social world around them
Because of the shared identity
of everyone who gathers in the kitchen area, most people feel very comfortable entering into discussion with the group...whoever that
might be on a given day. As with
an extended family, this time is
used to get caught up on the events
in everyone’s life (whether or not you had any previous relationship with them) and to show concern
for the issues with which they are dealing. As a result, there is a sense of expanded networking for each person that encompasses a new group of family and friends and provides a new social context for each person.
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