Tag: Community

Wells of Wisdom

On By fosteringyourfaithIn Listening2 Comments

Gather around, everyone.

Come and draw deep from the wells of wisdom that exist around us.

This is not a time to be alone.  This is not a season for isolation.

We need one another – we need each other’s perceptiveness and insight, courage and indignation. 

Just as the ancients used to gather in the village square to draw water from the community well, we also need to come together to feed our spirits and allow our parched spirits to be nourished. 

In an earlier blog, I asked the question – what words or phrases offer you encouragement in these challenging times?

Let’s listen to some responses…

Drew: [God said to Joshua] “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; Be not afraid; Neither be thou dismayed; For the LORD thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest.” (Joshua 1: 9 KJV)

Mark: “For nothing is impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37)

Roger: “Whatever you do in life will be insignificant, but it is important that you do it, because nobody else will” (Mahatma Gandhi).

Tom’s email signature proclaims, “Work for justice.”

Suzanne:  “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” (Psalm 139: 13-14). These words help me to remember that God created me to be the way I am, with gifts and challenges, and that all of them are there for good. 

Jill: “All will be well” (A quote from Sister Julienne/Call the Midwife, PBS) 

Julian of Norwich; (a 14th century nun whom Sister Julienne from the TV show is likely quoting): Even in the presence of sin, “all shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.”

Pastor John’s email encourages, “Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the living of these days….”

Would you like more encouragement?  Sign up to receive a daily Scripture verse and inspirational quote at  Sojourners 

We need these words.

We need each other.  Now is the time to gather together, to offer one another encouragement and the reminder that we are not alone. Join a church. Find a community where you feel safe. Be with people who celebrate who you are.  Volunteer with folks who are making a difference.

Come together online or – even better – gather in person. Break bread together. 

Share words of power and proclamation so we can resist the evil and indifference that is being thrust upon us. 

This is a marathon, not a sprint. We will need sustenance for this journey.

Gather around, everyone.  Let’s open our minds and hearts so our spirits can be renewed.

And then –  let’s work together for justice.

Corona and Community

On By fosteringyourfaithIn Living our faith2 Comments

The world seems to be divided into two distinct groups – huggers and non-huggers. Some people announce their preference during introductions.  “I’m a hugger,” a new acquaintance informed me. “Do you mind? It’s so good to meet you.” At the other end of the spectrum are folks like my uncle (a confirmed non-hugger) who insists that a “hearty handshake” is sufficient to convey good wishes and affection.

Nowadays, neither form of expression is acceptable or encouraged.

The Coronavirus has reestablished societal rules that would warm a Puritan’s heart.

“No touching” is the recommendation of the Center for Disease Control.

“Stand at least three feet apart,” advise many doctors.

“Don’t get too friendly,” seems to be the general advice.

            A large part of gathering together as the people of God is the act of caring for one another. Whether we assemble for worship or fellowship or a shared meal, there are always extended periods of hugs, handshakes, and hearty pats on the back. The warm, caring congregation I serve often expresses their concern and compassion with these personal, physical forms of affection. They are treasured by the vast majority of our congregation and particularly by those who live alone or are mourning or lonely or seeking the warmth and reassurance of human touch.

            So we enter a new era – hopefully a temporary one – where we must discover new ways to greet and honor one another. We decided against eliminating our post-worship receiving line where huggers and non-huggers greet me and engage in conversation. Those encounters are priceless. Ministry is, at its heart, all about relationships and the bond we share. In those precious moments I can ask about someone’s health, check in about children or parents, or hear a brief recap of a trip. Now we need to learn to do that without physical contact.

            We are experimenting with creative alternatives. Some people offer a “Namaste” with prayer hands in front of their chests while others fold their fingers into a heart shape to express their affection. Some people have tried tapping feet but many of our older folks envision themselves toppling over and opt to keep their feet firmly planted on the floor. The Vulcan hand signal, arms crossed over the chest in a symbol of an ancient cross, and simply bowing to one another are all options.

            We are dipping our toes into the beauty of American Sign Language. Last Sunday a teacher of the Deaf taught us the symbol for “peace be with you.” Dabbling with a new language reminds us that God speaks in many ways. As we learn new expressions, perhaps we will become more attuned to the nuances and needs of others.

            None of us asked for this era of fear and concern that the Coronavirus has thrust upon us. But God is good. There are many ways to be in community with one another. Whether online or in person, whether in close contact or maintaining “social distancing,” we can honor the most important elements of community – listening, loving, caring, and accompanying one another on the journey.