Seated around a platter of grapes and cubed cheese was a sphere of laughter, circling memories of a shared acquaintance, a splendid friend and teacher; a set of stories about the places we have been, the families who have loved us, the work we’ve done and cherished; a cast of hopes, dressed in summer clothes and looking for tomorrow to come; the clear common purposefulness of living in light of grace and trying to put our best efforts inside that grace.  These were some of the pieces of my meeting at a couple-congregant’s home, and it was joyous.