The View from St Francis Cottage - A Chattanooga Bed and Breakfast

HOSPITALITY

 

Hospitality means primarily the creation of a free space where the stranger can enter and become a friend instead of an enemy. Hospitality is not to change people but to offer them space where change can take place. It is not to bring men and women over to our side, but to offer freedom not disturbed by dividing lines . . . The paradox of hospitality is that it wants to create emptiness, not a fearful emptiness, but a friendly emptiness where strangers can enter and discover themselves as created free; free to sing their own songs, speak their own languages, dance their own dances; free also to leave and follow their own vocations. Hospitality is not a subtle invitation to adore the lifestyle of the host, but the gift of a chance for the guest to fine his/her own.

 Text excerpts taken from “You are the Beloved” by Henri J.M. Nouwen

Last April we celebrated five years of innkeeping at St Francis Cottage, and we continue to strive to serve and create a peaceful place of rest and renewal for our wonderful guests.  We learn something new every day after engaging in conversation with all of you who have entered our doors these past years, for whom we are beyond thankful. Cheers to five more years, Lord willing and the creek don’t rise! Our business has grown consistently and exponentially since we opened in 2017, and the Good Lord has granted us excellent health, which we do not take for granted considering what an incredible gift it has been running the B&B by ourselves, day-in and day-out. It’s been refreshing to see more people traveling again to get together with family and friends for all kinds of events and occasions, and we are honored that you have chosen SFC as your evening stop-over or an extended destination.