The Need for Community
Beth Dickerson
October 5, 2021
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
~James 5:16
The pandemic has taken a toll on all of us. We are tired of being careful about our health – wearing our masks, getting exercise, not being in large crowds, receiving our vaccinations, coughing into our elbows, and getting our flu shots. We do these things because, as Lester Holt of NBC news says, we care about ourselves and each other.
As we reflected on Pastor John’s sermon this past Sunday, our conversation at this week’s deacons meeting focused on the fact that, because of the pandemic, our need for community at First United Church is particularly strong right now. This is not news to anybody. The idea of community comes from the sense of responsibility we have for each other. In the Bible, God encourages us to take care of our brothers and sisters - whether we are friends or enemies! We are reminded over and over again about the importance of maintaining the connection with each other and focusing on building a community of love in word and actions. The challenge is doing this at a time when we have limited opportunities to interact with each other face-to-face.
The deacons are struggling with the idea of building community digitally. The following is the mission of the deacons from the deacon’s handbook. It is certainly a laudable mission but most deacons find it also a difficult challenge.
Mission: Our mission is to accompany all people on their journey of life and faith, in their joys and in their woundedness. It is our mission to nurture the spiritual life of this community by creating a culture of care. We will do so as disciples, striving to spread the radical love, healing, and wholeness of God though our work and actions.
In other words, we love you and we want to take care of you!
You may or may not be aware that the twelve deacons are divided among the entire congregation into Care Groups. Deacons are encouraged this fall to contact members in their Care Group, usually by email, asking members to let their deacon know if they have specific concerns that they wish to be mentioned in prayer. Additionally, the pastoral staff may ask a deacon to contact a member under their care about a specific concern or situation. Deacons are also encouraged to contact any member before hearing from the pastoral staff in cases such as illness, loss of a loved one, a birth, etc. The care provided by deacons is seen as supplementing and augmenting the work of the pastoral staff. This is part of the First United vision of being a “culture of caring” which is seen as part of our larger vision of moving from individuals to intimate fellowship in our relationships with other members of our church community.
It is entirely possible you haven’t heard from your deacon yet this program year. We confess: we are trying out some of the communications tools in our Realm system and some of us are still learning. Additionally, some of our lists of members are a little confused. But rest assured! You are being prayed for and you are being sorely missed as part of our beloved community. If you haven’t heard from your deacon, please drop your pastoral staff a text, a note, or an email. Our goal is to be responsive to your needs. We are here for you and your deacon will respond to you.
There are two immediate opportunities for community coming up. First of all, FCS, which stands for Fostering Connection and Support, is beginning again this coming Thursday at 10 a.m. This is a drop-in group, an opportunity for casual conversation and getting to know each other. Some people talk and some people just listen. One hour. No longer. It is an easy way to feel part of the community. And secondly, most importantly, there is the Congregational meeting this Sunday following 11:00 worship. I know. It will probably be a little boring but as a responsible member of the community your presence is needed. We deacons look forward to seeing you there as we are voting on revised covenantal language in our constitution as well as voting on the operating budget for 2022.
And let us always remember these words of Jesus, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20
