Wednesday Word: Community

I had two conversations recently that touched on community – specifically community in the Church.

What makes a group of people a community? Various things factor into that: a shared vision, a shared ideal, a shared purpose, shared likes and/or dislikes, shared colors. These are all things that can create a sense of community. People who gather at a specific time to feed the hungry develop a sense of community as they work together. People working toward the election of a particular candidate can develop a sense of community. And, believe it or not, a sense of community is one of the reasons people become, and stay, involved in gangs.

Here at Saint John's, and other churches as well, we have a community of people who are drawn to our liturgy, who work together on any number of service and outreach projects, and who have developed friendships with people as we work, pray, and give for God's mission in this part of the world.

One of the things people have said they missed most during the COVID pandemic is that sense of community, that ability to gather together. As you know, we have done a variety of things to keep us all connected and maintain community; phone calls and notes have been at the top of that list, but also through other means.

One way we worked at community was to encourage people watching the online service to make comments. In the beginning, as Dcn. Sue, Mark, David, the lector, cantors, and I were waiting for the service to officially begin, it made me very happy to see everyone showing up and saying, “Hi.” Seeing people like Gary and Iris from West Virginia, Karen from New York, Jack and Betty from Pennsylvania, and so many others from so many different places, reminded me that we were still community. Reading prayer requests and thanksgivings that you sent in reminded all of us that we are still community. Seeing everyone type, “Peace” at the appropriate time brought/brings a smile to my face and reminds us that we are still community.

The past year has seen us changed by COVID, some of that change even for the better. One of the better things to come out of this pandemic season was the recognition that going to church is not just a personal choice. We have recognized what we've always known: the community of the faithful is a powerful thing and we are reminded of the power of community when we find ways to remain connected.

As attendance restrictions begin to be loosened, and as more people begin to again worship in the holy space we call Saint John's, may we remember that not all of our community sits in the pews. For those worshiping outside of our space, I encourage you to continue sending prayers, thanksgivings, and adding comments during the live stream. For those of you who are sitting in the pews, remember that the community is bigger than just those in the building; and so I encourage you to offer similar prayers, thanksgivings, and other comments.

Remember: it will be the gathered comments of those separated that will help us maintain community.

Blessings,

Todd+