Dear Friends in Christ,

Where do we find community, and what does it mean to be a part of one?

The contemporary answer might include a whole list of secular spaces: yoga class, book club, even the dog park. You find community (the thinking goes) when someone knows your name and notices when you go on vacation.

The reality, however, is that true community runs much deeper than having your face recognized. It goes beyond casual acceptance; instead, it depends on the profound honesty of being known—known by other people and known by God. We who are members of a church understand the importance of this depth and this honesty. Church, at its best, is authentic and (in a good way) high stakes.

I also want to suggest that there’s another dimension to community that we experience in church: not only what happens to us, but what we do in response.

Community is not only about being known and loved. It is also about the commitment we make in return.

At yoga class, little is demanded of us. But at church? We are asked to give from every aspect of our lives—financial, emotional, and spiritual.

This weekend, we are celebrating the community that is Grace Church. We celebrate the community across history, as we remember the men and women who founded Grace in 1855. We celebrate the present-day community, too, as we gather on Sunday before worship for breakfast in the auditorium.

In our celebration, we are grateful for the ways in which we connect and belong. But we also take the next step: we respond to acceptance with our own commitment. The pledge campaign begins this week, and so we think about how we might give our money to support the mission of this place. We think, too, about how we can invest other aspects of our lives. Maybe the Food Pantry needs your time. Maybe pastoral care calls. (Wondering what activity might be a good fit for you? The clergy are always glad to talk about ways to become more deeply involved.)

Commitment matters—not only for the church, but also for each of us. When we respond to the love of God with our best gifts and our highest efforts, that relationship becomes more meaningful. We draw closer to God when we commit to God.

I am glad that each of you is a part of this community, and I hope your experience of God in this place grows ever deeper.

Yours in Christ,
Anne+