Almost two thousand years ago, the Roman philosopher Pliny the Elder said "home is where the heart is." That phrase is universal today and suggests that regardless of circumstance or place, our sense of security and trust is with the people we love and not just our birth family. With many of us far from our families of origin, we create groups of friends and places of community that nourish, support and help us grow, hopefully like our families did when we were young. Grace Church can be such a place for caring, sharing and growth if you choose it. The connections we make in a Christian ethic of love, forgiveness, acceptance and grace provides community if we choose to reach out. Ministry opportunities allow us to learn and grow, widening our experiences and opening our hearts and minds, just as we were encouraged to do as children. There are opportunities to use and develop gifts God has given us and discover the joy of sharing with others. Take some time over the next few weeks to look at the Grace Connections board and prayerfully consider where you might commit to caring and sharing in the life of our church community.