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Message from the Pastor...

Greetings Siblings in Christ,

Community is a concept that I have been learning about (in context) for over 4 years now. Community can be defined as the Body of Christ, the disciples who faithfully form Christ's body on earth as witness to the Good News. But that definition falls short of what I have experienced, because it is static, there is no movement. A fuller definition might be; Community is the gathered and sent Body of Christ. What I have experienced as community is deeply tied to the pattern of worship. Connected by faith, we are gathered, fed and nourished, then sent in mission. And this pattern repeats itself in our everyday lives as well. Perhaps you are gathered for meals around a family table, fed and nourished by not only the food but the relationships, then sent from the table to live in community until you are gathered again. Or, you may find this pattern in a community of friends, gathered around a shared hobby, or fellow volunteers, gathered to serve. Wherever you experience this pattern, it is possible that you find yourself in community there.

As disciples, we have the joyful calling to be in community with all our neighbors, in these ways and beyond. The witness we share with the world is not repeating exactly what scriptures said on Sundays or what hymns were sung, it is in how we live our lives, in community with our neighbors. When we gather for worship, we are fed and nourished FOR the sending (in mission). As we are sent, we journey in faith, sharing the nourishment we have received, until we gather again. The movement is in the gathering and the sending, in the witness we give to the world. The nourishment we receive in community is life and hope to be extended for all people, as Christ gave his life that all should live.

As Immanuel continues to be sent in mission, we will redefine community again and again. The Body of Christ is moving, may the witness truly share the Good News.

Peace,
Pastor Katie