“Be still and know that I am God.”
After graduating from seminary, I discerned I was being called into something new, something yet to be discovered. While continuing to pray about what this new thing might be, I applied for a job as a barista at my favorite coffee shop, Mama D’s in Wales, WI. Shortly after I began working there, the idea of a “coffee church” came to mind and I knew this was where God had called me. Right in my own “backyard.”
Be Still began its ministry officially in August of 2022 as a Synod-Authorized Worshipping Community of the Greater Milwaukee Synod. Over the next year, I began by experimenting with a few different types of gatherings. A small number of people – “Regulars” as we like to call them – started regularly showing up. There was a lot of learning, and a lot of pruning some ideas in order to allow others to bloom and bear fruit.
- Sunday Stillness is by far the strongest and longest-lasting gathering Be Still currently facilitates. It’s a space for contemplative, reflective opportunities to connect with one another and where the Holy Spirit is intentionally welcomed into our midst. Some sort of spiritual practice is done – often a version of Lectio Divina or Dwelling in the Word – followed by conversation, prayer, and communion all around an open table.
- Open Table was created as a space to talk about life and faith questions without judgement, not attempting to fix or answer with any certainty to anyone’s questions. Open Table became somewhat of a “closed table” for various reasons; however, the “Regulars” continue to meet on the same day and have developed stronger friendships with one another, finding people they could rely on and connect with when it seemed difficult otherwise.
- We have introduced a new space called Keep It, Share It, Leave It Rock Painting that welcomes creativity through art as well as the “pay it forward” mentality through sharing kind words with others.
- Be Still has also blessed a space for engaging in more formalized bible study, led by one of its “Regulars” (and a barista at the coffee shop!). BeConnected is a bible study for baristas and friends to explore faith through the lens of hospitality in their current roles.
It’s been exciting to share the mission of Be Still with people from various Christian backgrounds, those who identify as “Spiritual”, as well as some Atheists. We have created a community of curiosity – wondering about others’ beliefs while at the same time exploring questions about our own. Because of this, it has been clear that the desire to belong takes precedence over anything else. The desire to be heard and understood, loved and not judged or condemned, is what others are longing for at this time.
Through the grace of Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, Be Still is continuing to provide the kind of ground needed to be still. When the world around seems chaotic and our minds are pulled every which way, Be Still is a steady center to connect with others that feel similar. As we continue to discern where the Spirit is leading our community, we expect to let go of things that no longer serve in the ways they once did. We are evolving into a ministry that keeps both the integrity of a “Be Still” space, and at the same time, gives room for new growth.
This journey has been both challenging and fun for me – it’s an exercise in faith, if nothing else. Be Still was born out of my own need for a space to rest from all the “stuff”; and although our small group of “Regulars” carries the weight of responsibility for its continuing on, I can wholeheartedly say that we practice what we preach. We trust God to show us when we need to be still, when we need to move, when we need to let go, and when we need to try something new.
In this new year of 2025 – the third year of Be Still – a strong Vision Team has emerged to explore the “what’s next?” phase of development. We are keeping our eyes and ears open to opportunities within the community to develop stronger partnerships with other groups and businesses, like Wild Church and a local music store.
As much as we are steady grounds for people, Be Still is going to be quite active discovering where the Spirit is leading us to engage with people beyond our coffee shop walls. We look forward to sharing more updates soon!
