“Where two or three are gathered in my name,
I am there among them.”
~ Matthew 18:20
“Democracy is like love.
It only works when everyone has a voice.”
~ Carol Gilligan
“If you want to go fast, go alone.
If you want to go far, go together.”
~ African Proverb
We are social creatures born to be relational. I AM because of WE. We are communal creatures whose ancestors relied upon each other for their thriving. Community care is the way we’ve gotten here, and it is the way forward. This is where the “beloved community” becomes a school of love where we learn to love one another in a healthy, life affirming way. The clearest way we feel and experience that love is through relationships. Humans function at their best when they interact and live with others in a healthy, vibrant community. That is why the human connection is an important part of healing ourselves and the world.
The church is an opportunity to form a “beloved community” based on Jesus’ instruction, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:12) One of human’s deepest longings is a need for belonging. The church as a beloved community can be that place of belonging where people can experience love, acceptance, support, and safety. As one church woman said, “There are no strangers, only people whom I haven’t met.” We are ready to receive you with open arms into our beloved community.
