  WHAT IN THE WORLD IS PICKLEBALL? Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the USA for the third year in a row, and was created as a “game for everyone.” The sport is a cross between table tennis, badminton, and tennis. Why is pickleball growing so fast? Pickleball has burst into the mainstream due to its low barrier to entry and variety of health benefits including the opportunity to socialize and build community. It is estimated that about 36.5 million people played pickleball at least once in 2023. How did pickleball get its start? Pickleball was invented in 1965 in Bainbridge Island, Washington, by three friends. The first game was played on a badminton court in a backyard with a pair of ping-pong paddles and a wiffle ball. It followed the same rules as tennis. However, the inventors made a few changes after playing the game over a few weekends. They lowered the net, moved to a tennis court, and simplified the scoring. The origin of the game's name is unclear. But some believe it may have been named after one of the inventors' dogs, who went by the name Pickles, and was always running off with the ball. Pickleball remained a local secret for almost 20 years. In 1984, Washington residents Sid Williams and Bryon Olson formed the United States Amateur Pickleball Association and released an official rulebook. The sport saw some success in the following years. However, it really gained momentum in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. With many team sports off-limits, people turned to pickleball as a socially distant way to stay active. Pickleball can be played anywhere. Makeshift courts can instantly be created on a driveway or in a church gym using sidewalk chalk or painter's tape, and a portable net. The paddles and balls are also very affordable. Additionally, pickleball is easier to learn and much slower-paced than tennis. In pickleball, you're hitting a plastic wiffle-like ball, so it's less bouncy and doesn't fly as fast through the air. And the paddle is much easier to handle because it's shorter and lighter than a tennis racket. Pickleball at Kerrville First United Methodist Church In August of 2021, KFUMC Recreation Ministry Director, Grant Palmer created three courts in the gym, using tape for the lines, portable nets and twelve paddles along with indoor pickleballs. Grant discovered a few people in our faith community that knew how to play and sought their help as well as studied the game online and then invited our church family to come try it out. And the rest is history! Hundreds of men and women of all ages and backgrounds have gravitated to KFUMC to try this new game that has swept the nation. Many new friendships have organically developed through the sport of pickleball at our church. Pickleball players care for each other, laugh and fellowship together, serve through our food relief outreach, sing in the choir, and worship together, all as a result, of coming together to play a game. I think this kind of innovative, out of the box outreach ministry makes God smile. I know that anytime I visit the church gym to watch some pickleball, I am amazed at all of the people enjoying themselves and having a great time fellowshipping! You’re always welcome to come check it out and bring your friends and neighbors. Equipment, playing time and instruction are provided free of charge. 
Monica goes on to say, “The Table is ‘church’ reinvented. Around the table, dinner conversations will center around food and faith stories. The table provides an opportunity for guests to share and hosts to listen. Our targeted guests will initially be a select group of friends from our marginalized community. We want our Mustard Seed friends who have become our family to be our first dinner guests.” Writer and scholar, Leonard Sweet once said, Whenever I’m asked, ‘What is God up to?’ my most common answer is, ‘Have you heard of dinner church?” Dinner church is a type of microchurch where the meal and the table are not simply points of distinction from other churches; they are essential to the congregation’s makeup. Microchurches are intentionally small, which allows the type of inclusion that notices everyone and a place where all are heard and given the opportunity to contribute. Lastly, Monica shared, “Authentic fellowship leads to discipleship, one meal at a time. When new disciples start sharing stories from the table with others, those others will come, and that is what I call “church.” Vernon Fosner, who has written books on the dinner church movement says, “For Jesus, the dinner table was the invitation to faith. Jesus clearly embedded the gospel into the dinner-table theology.” Please join us in praying for this new ministry and all that God will do through it and among the participants. …Beth Palmer REMINDER for the Mixed Pickleball Tournament on January 28th AND the Mega Food Drive on January 30th. See you there!  |
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