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My first introduction to open air markets was in Tours, France where locals had a flower market every Saturday. Of course, there were many markets in our city, but this one was our favorite. Some of the ladies at the market liked seeing Jason and Jeremy who were three and two years of age at that time. The vendors would give the boys a flower. We felt obligated to buy flowers from the lady who gave flowers to the boys.

We vacationed in France a couple of years ago, and our favorite flower market was still there. I am sure that the vendors in the flower market would not call their market a forum, but that’s what it is.

The roots of the word “forum” are from ancient Roman culture. The original meaning was a public space where legal and civic activities took place. For centuries, the Forum in Rome was the center of day-to-day life. But now there are only ruins where the famous Roman Forum thrived. Other cities in the Roman Empire had their own forums, but the one in Rome is the most famous and the most visited today.  

The Greeks also had their forums, but they were primarily used for celebratory military processions. Nevertheless, most cities in Russia and the former Soviet republics have a commons area among huge apartment complexes. These commons areas serve as a place for talking with friends, playing games, exercise, walking the dog, etc.

While living in Burkina Faso, the larger villages would have their markets once a week. Diabo was the seat of our local government, and a market was held there every third day. Half of the vendors would pay a fee to display their goods to sell in a small booth, while the other half spread their wares on a piece of cloth or on the ground. Men would walk to these markets together while telling stories to each other, and likewise the women would walk together and share all the latest news in their village or compound.

Every trip to Ouagadougou we would shop at the Grand Marche. The Grand Marche is a melting pot of cultures, with influences from various ethnic groups in Burkina Faso. It is held every day from dawn to midafternoon. It is the heart of the commercial activities of the capital of Burkina Faso. It is a feast for the senses as one can smell the exotic spices used in seasoning, while the eyes are filled with beautiful cloth of every possible color and the taste buds are aroused by sampling the “riz gras” or the traditional dish of millet with an okra and pepper pottage.   

When we lived in Surrey in the UK, we enjoyed going to the Commons near our home. It was a green space for relaxing, talking with friends, playing chess, picnics, jogging, walking, etc.

Church services and activities are a place to get together for fellowship. Tens of thousands of virtual clubs are available now for opportunities for socializing and making friends with common interests. Clubs include garden, civic, chess, scouts, sports, Bible study, writing poetry, photography, antique cars and trucks, coin collecting, and stamp collecting and on and on. The only official club where I am a member is the Atlanta Stamp Collectors club—albeit, not a good member as I rarely attend meetings because who likes to drive across Atlanta?!

I play pickleball every Thursday. It is not a formalized club, but a bunch of men have a Bible study at 7am every Thursday, and then we play pickleball. We probably would not designate our group as a club, but before the Bible Study and afterwards we get in a lot of talking about various topics.

Today the possibilities to get together in person have been diminished. Covid made it impossible for people to get together in person, so we were forced to meet virtually. Many clubs including the famous Toastmaster International, allow online meetings. That is most interesting to me as this club helps people overcome the anxiety of getting up in front of an audience.

Fewer and fewer people do not even know their neighbors’ names. There are so many distractions. After all, wouldn’t you rather build a city on your device than go on a picnic with family and friends. We have lost that sense of building community around us.

The concept of fellowship extends beyond mere physical presence. It involves a deep, spiritual connection. Most churches have a fellowship hall or fellowship room or an activities building.

We all have that sense of belonging, camaraderie, community, and fellowship. Believers in Jesus understand that our voids of that fellowship are filled and fulfilled in Jesus.

“That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed, our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.” I John 1:3