05-08-26

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
May 8, 2026
Guest Writer: Sandra Clifford (Board Member)
I miss coffee shops. I’m not talking about the national chain coffee shops where there is loud music piped in, paper cups with cutesy sayings, and everybody’s on their devices. I’m talking about old-fashioned coffee shops with booths and counters where people would gather, ceramic mugs and real conversation. The type of coffee shops where real life happened and problems were solved.

I remember as a child visiting my grandparents. I would go there over summer break and every day we would have to go to Jettie’s restaurant. We would have to be there at 8:30 in the morning and 3:00 in the afternoon. No exceptions. As a child, I didn’t understand why, especially at 8:30 in the morning. I would think “Why do we have to go? I am on vacation!” But, I would get in trouble if we were late. It wasn’t until I was an adult that I realized its purpose. You see, my grandfather was a state senator and his constituents knew where he would be and when he would be there. They knew they could find him at that little coffee shop and talk to him about what was troubling them. His constituents had a relationship with him. Try finding that nowadays! We would get the biggest table in the middle of the dinner and every time we went, we would meet different people. The owner of the dinner, Jettie, also served as his makeshift secretary in town. He would make sure to let her know whenever he would be out of town to go to the state capital or on vacation because inevitably people would be looking for him. It is also one of the places where I learned manners. I wanted so badly to be like the adults, but of course I didn’t drink coffee. So Jettie would fix me a cup of hot chocolate (yes, even in the middle of summer) so I could sit there, listen, and watch them tackle the current issues of the day.

At home we had JoJo‘s restaurant. Sitting on what started as a literal farm to market road, people would meet there and plan the next step for the community. They would discuss its growth and its future. My father would go there after work before he came home. He would talk to his friends and find out what was going on in their lives and in the community. He would not only make business connections but he made personal connections as well. The minister of my church also went to this coffee shop. Seeing as my father was not much of a church man, well, if the mountain won't come to Muhammad, then Muhammad must go to the mountain. I remember our minister using JoJo‘s coffee shop to make connections with the community. Connections that helped identify talent and bring projects together. Projects that served the community and made a lasting impact on people. It did not take a fancy computer. It did not take conference calls, video calls or boardrooms. It took a cup of coffee, taking notes on the back of a paper napkin, and conversation.

There was something magical about a true old-fashioned coffee shop. They may be almost extinct today, but we can not lose their purpose. We still have problems to solve.

We still must take the time to gather around, give our undivided attention, have face-to-face conversations, and maybe even write down our plans. All the video conferences, emails, and online surveys can not replace that. There is no substitute for taking the time to understand humanity. Oh, and don’t worry too much about that paper cup and even take a moment to appreciate that note of gratitude written on it. Just remember, when you get to your destination, take time to sit down and get to know someone a little better.