Hebrews 10: 24-25
And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Reflection
How many communities do you belong to? The community of family, work and/or leisure, or church?
Each community we belong to is different and meets different needs to enable us to flourish as people and to survive, they are about living relationships (the good and the bad). What about the community of the Church? In his book ‘The Art of Community’ Charles H Vogel suggests that there are seven principles for growing a community, this could easily be adapted to the life of the URC and the local church.
1. Boundaries
Do you have them and if so, what are they? Those on the ‘outside’ vs those on the ‘inside’. Assembly, Synods, Ministers, Elders, members, adherents & friends
2. Initiation
What marks a new and welcomed member? Church membership?
3. Rituals
Those things we do that give meaning and purpose? Sacraments
4. Temple
A place for our community. Church/worship building
5. Stories
What are OUR stories that make us want to be part of this community and do we share OUR stories enough, as individuals or a church?
6. Symbols
What represents our community?
7. Inner ring
A pathway to grow and develop. Commitment.
There are always challenges, and that’s okay, it’s having the right intention. One of the benefits of Compassionate Communities is to build relationships with other communities so that the wider community becomes stronger because of those relationships. I have got involved with my local football club, Nuneaton Town, I could apply the seven principles to that. Our weakness at the moment is we don’t have a temple (ground) of our own, we have to share. However, my role as the community link person is to build relationships with charities and organisations in the town to make people feel they belong to something more than just their organisation. Relationship and community is key to everything for survival and growth.
Prayer
We pray for the different communities we belong to
and the part they play in our lives,
that enrich and give us a sense of belonging.
We pray for our church communities,
that they me be a beacon of light
in the places where they are,
building relationships with their neighbours.
For all who minster we pray for wisdom and insight
giving a glimpse of the love of God shown in Christ
to those we meet. Amen