| Vernice's View |
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Community at its Best I speak of community often, because it is a vital aspect for my faith journey. When I imagine community I am immediately drawn to the social world of Jesus. In Jesus’ day community was essential for survival. Members of the community shared a mutuality of perspective and common goals. There was an interdependence which meant that those who most needed care would be cared for. As we examine the Gospel stories, we experience Jesus modeling community in his care for others’. Remember the woman at the well? A person no one else would talk to. Going against tradition, spiritual and social, Jesus sat and ate with the “sinners”, talked with women, healed on the Sabbath. He touched lepers and bleeding women; showing by example, not only compassion and outreach but a need to be intentional, responsible, and inclusive toward one another. Loren Mead, an Episcopal priest and founder of the Alban Institute, makes this statement about community. “We need to belong. The need to belong drives us to community, a place where we know we belong. A place we call safe, a place where you are valued for what you are in yourself. All of this is wrapped up in the word community and all of it is a mix of people and places, memories and values.” I concur with that assessment and add this as well: It is a place that centers on common need and affirmation, but there is also a need to be intentionally inclusive, no matter what the world is saying and there is a need to hold each other accountable when that is not done. I write this as I reflect on our community, Broadway UMC. I had the pleasure to be in a meeting last month that I have named “community at its best.” I was pleasantly surprised as I sat and watched the dynamics and interactions of my sisters and brothers at April’s congregational meeting. We had challenging issues on the agenda as we continued to talk about budget and mission. What I heard were people engaging these difficult subjects respectfully, attentively and responsibly. Did everyone agree? Of course not, but everyone had an opportunity to voice their opinion. They voiced them with truth, with passion and some with sadness. And after all the hard stuff was discussed and voted on, we affirmed one another – our accomplishments as individuals and as community. And it was done with joy and love. Yes, in my experience that is community at its best. In order for things to work well, we often think that everyone must agree or be silent if they don’t. I believe, however, that silence is not golden. When people feel silenced or dismissed it is acted out in destructive ways – side conversations, triangulation, polarization. However, in a safe environment that is intentionally inclusive, affirming and accountable, we can all speak our truth, come to consensus and move ahead. I want to say a special thank you to our Lay Leaders, Tom and Amy, who with heart and honesty are leading us to higher ground – a community that embodies the teachings of Jesus. And to you my Broadway family, I encourage us all to keep talking, telling our stories, developing trust and building community. As we gain strength as a community we gain power and credibility to truly make a difference in the world. Thank you for who we are becoming and God’s continued blessings on our journey together. In Truth and Justice, Vernice
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