Catch the Highlights. Join the Crew.
Signal moves quickly, especially when you join a conversation already in progress. Go Forth Field Notes gathers selected challenges, practical ideas, helpful exchanges and member experiences from the CORAC Go Forth Signal group in one convenient place.
It isn’t a substitute for the full Signal conversation—it’s a window into it. Catch the highlights here, then join us on Signal for the ongoing discussion and the greater privacy it provides. Most importantly, step away from the screen occasionally and put something into practice. Go Forth is not about collecting good intentions. It’s about taking the next right step.
Welcome to Our Go Forth Group
This group exists for one purpose: to turn CORAC’s mission into action–in our homes, neighborhoods, parishes and communities.
Share what you’re doing, what your region is planning, where help is needed, and what others might be able to try. Big projects are cool, but so are small things that build trust, strengthen relationships and make life a little better for someone nearby.
Got any Go Forth’s you’ve completed, planned–or merely been meaning to get off the couch and begin?
The Fundamentals
Vince Lombardi would famously begin the first team meeting of the season by holding up a football and telling his professional players, “Gentlemen, this is a football.”
They obviously knew what it was. His point was that excellence begins by returning to the fundamentals and nobody becomes so experienced that the fundamentals are beneath them.
Go Forth begins the same way.
More Fundamentals
Many of us have served our families, churches and communities for decades. Some are just getting started. Either way, rebuilding community begins with the person God has placed directly in front of us.
Can we notice that person? Learn a name? Listen without lecturing? Discover what’s needed? Make a specific offer–and follow through?
Learn Something About Someone
Your first stretch: introduce yourself to one person who lives near you but whom you really don’t know. Learn their name and one thing about them.
Don’t mention CORAC, explain the state of civilization or recruit them for anything. Just have a good-old-fashioned human conversation.
Come back afterward with “Done” and tell us something you learned if you feel the need to.
Yeah, it’s painfully basic. That’s where professionals begin.
Okay, What’s With the Squirrels?
Glad you asked.
Squirrels are remarkably good at a few things we care about at CORAC.
They prepare before the need arises. They’re energetic, persistent, adaptable, resourceful, and surprisingly good at navigating complicated environments.
They also understand something we tend to forget: small actions–repeated consistently–add up.
One acorn isn’t much. Neither is one edifying conversation, one small act of charity, or twenty minutes spent sharing something useful.
But keep going. Eventually, you’ve built something.
So yes, the squirrel has become something of a mascot around here—a small reminder to pay attention, prepare well, keep moving, and take the next right step.
Also, squirrels are funny.
Not everything needs a theological explanation.
Nobody Is Too Experienced to Trip Over a Tire
Some members are new to this kind of work. Others are old pros. But experience doesn’t make the fundamentals unnecessary—and activity doesn’t automatically equal accomplishment.
These early exercises may appear simple. That is intentional. They help all of us examine how well we notice people, initiate contact, listen, follow through and invite others into meaningful action.
The rookie learns the fundamentals.
The veteran discovers whether his fundamentals are still sound.
Who Else Has Been Doing Go Forth Stuff?
I’ve done most of the posting so far because somebody had to inflate the footballs.
If you haven’t spoken up yet, feel free to share in one or two sentences:
What’s one Go Forthy thing you’ve done recently that someone else could copy?
Nothing heroic required. Small and finished beats impressive and still being discussed.
