The Benefit of Two: In Bothell
The benefit of having a team of two for outreach work goes far beyond safety and camaraderie. This was very clear to me yesterday as I did outreach work yesterday with Haley in Bothell, which resulted in finding places for two gift subscriptions.
The city of Bothell, compared to the University District in Seattle, is clean and wholesome. Located on the northeastern edge of the greater Seattle metropolitan area, there is no graffitti, garbage messes, homeless encampments, or crazy weird people wandering around yelling incoherent things. But that did not make it any easier to do outreach work.
To go in, or not? That is always the question walking through a commercial area handing out free sample copies of The Christian Science Monitor -- and whether and how to offer a gift subscription. Not being familiar with the local community, it's hard to know from outside appearances whether a business will be a good strategic location for a gift subscription, or if they will be receptive. Clean and wholesome Bothell sometimes seemed a little less receptive to us than the U-District. One person refused even a sample copy because, as she exclaimed, she was a born again evangelical Christian who loved the Lord.
Sometimes Haley and I disagreed on whether to go in, or how to engage. Sometimes she was right, sometimes I was. But walking around the Main Street area in the summer heat as Bothell prepared for an Independence Day parade, we challenged each other and kept each other going. We notice different things, have different ideas and styles, and have different levels of understanding about local organizations. We both learned from the others' example and discussion afterwards. When we stopped for breaks, we had refreshing conversation.
During our 3+ hours walking time, we gave sample copies to and had friendly conversations with a man who makes jewelry from dinosaur fossils, a vacuum salesman, a collectibles shop keeper, and a customer in a florists' shop. In total, we gave out about 40 copies and placed 2 gift subscriptions. So far, those who have accepted gift subscriptions do so quickly. The whole exchange has taken less than a minute.
Based on the previous day's success, it seemed smart to visit the Bothell fire station on the outer edge of town, but after a long walk to reach it found it inaccessible because of a construction project. However, we placed a gift subscription at the Cogir memory care facility next to it for the employee break room. We also found a willing subscription recipient at a hair salon downtown, which has a table in the waiting area full of magazines.
This work is an exercise in trust in Love to open the way, in the goodness of strangers and neighbors, and especially in persistence. It is work, hard work. We are reaching unprejudiced minds and graciously introducing them to the Monitor, the term "Christian Science," and the Christian Science Reading Room nearby. As far as I'm concerned, these outreach workers will be well deserving of every penny of their paycheck.
To our supporting church reps and members: Any ideas you have about good places for Monitor sample copies and gift subscriptions are welcome and wanted. Please, look around your local area and email your lists to CSLitDist@gmail.com. We could also use some help. Help especially needed July 5, 6, 29, and August 10, 11, 12.
"The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest." (Luke 10:2)
Christian Science Literature Joint Distribution Committee
Seattle and Bothell, Washington
http://www.CSlitDist.com
425-806-3718 CSlitDist@gmail.com