Creating community through weekly workshops
BY KADIE TAYLOR
THE LAFAYETTE SUN
LAFAYETTE — Creating a space for community camaraderie through weekly workshops at the Sparrow Home Decor, LaFayette Sun Columnist Laura Smith and Owner of the Sparrow Home Decor Djuna Sanders are opening up their weekly ritual of fellowship to locals.
Community members can join Smith and Sanders every Friday from 11 a.m. to noon at the Sparrow Home Decor to take part in a weekly workshop and bring lunch to eat with the hosts afterwards. For the month of March, the theme for the workshop will be Refreshing Your Prayer Life, and after March, other workshops might cover similar encouraging topics, with some months including lessons, information and crafts led by locals.
“The first one was just going to be a workshop devotional, and Ms. Laura will be leading that,” Sanders said. “She will do that through the month, and then hopefully somebody else will sign up next month. If not, then I’ll probably do a workshop on decorating, [where people can learn] tips for decorating. Everything will be free, and if people want to stay and have lunch, they can bring their own lunch, because we usually have lunch after.”
Both Smith and Sanders said the idea to hold a week- ly workshop came from their relationship, which has grown over the last six months through their weekly lunches together, and their discussions around how creating a space for locals to gather and increase community could promote LaFayette unity and encourage those in attendance.
“[I met Djuna when I came by her store to interview her], and we just bonded,” Smith said. “I fell hard for the fact that she was by herself, trying to start this big store, and physically, I’m not able to help her, but mentally, I thought I could help her. So I said to her, one day, ‘If I brought lunch, could we have lunch together?’ And it became a Friday ritual. And through that, she has shared what her heart was for the Sparrow Home Decor, [and that intention- ality is] where the idea came from to [develop this] group. I brought a friend or two at times, and there’s a need for community unity in this place. I don’t see where that’s being considered, and whatagreatwaytodoitby small grouping.”
“It’s easier to do life when you have friends, and so I just felt like we lost that sense of connection as a community,” Sanders said. “I don’t want this to just be a furniture store. I wanted [it to be a place where] if you don’t have anything to do, you can come in, sit and chat. Sometimes you just want to get away, but you don’t want to go shopping and spend money, you just want somewhere to go, just to be quiet, hear your thoughts — so that was my desire that I believe God put on my heart, to create a place where people can just fellowship and come together in community. I also like to see other people achieve their goals, so if somebody knows how to do a craft, how to make a flower or whatever, I want to give them a showcase to show whatever talents they may have.”
Smith said her relation- ship with God as a Christian is important to her, and she is looking forward to shar- ing the same hope and peace she experiences from her time in the Bible with others in the community.
“There’s never been a better time,” she said. “You can look and see all the things happening, but when you look at the scriptures, when you go right to the Lord Jesus, there’s nothing bad — it’s all joy. Jesus preaches love. You cannot love and hate at the same time. I spend quite a bit of time early in the morning with Him... You don’t have to feel alone and hurting. Advertising this workshop could [help people who are] alone or dealing with grief. [They can] come and read the Lord’s word. If you really believe or give your heart, He’ll answer — He’s answered me.”
For more information, or to share a talent with the community by leading a weekly workshop, email Sanders at djuanasanders@ gmail.com or Smith at csjt- pq2@gmail.com. The Spar- row Home Decor is located at 8 1st St. SE., LaFayette.
