Community in a time of isolation

What does it mean to be in community? How does it feel? How do we ‘do’ community when we are not physically with our community? These are some of the questions that I have been reflecting on recently.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 says that God has ‘set eternity in the human heart’, meaning He designed us to be connected to Him, and to be in community with Him. He set in each of us that desire to know Him and to feel known by Him.

Jesus died on the cross to open the way for all of us to be reconciled to Our Father, and as followers of Christ, to be in community with each other too.

It feels good to be in community doesn’t it, to feel that we belong and that we matter, and for some of us, to feel that we can help others in our community and make a difference in their lives.

So how do we still do this when we are physically apart, or when we may be fearful of what the future holds at this current time?

Acts 2:42-47 describes the Fellowship of the Believers and tells us how they ‘did’ community during a fearful time of persecution. It tells us that the early church (firstly) devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Many of these things we can do from home. We can read and meditate on the word of God, we have various means to enable us to keep in touch with each other, we can be thankful for Jesus’ sacrifice, and we most certainly can pray.

The Greek word used for fellowship in verse 42 is ‘Koinonia’ from the word ‘Koinos’ (Common, ordinary, belonging to), and bears witness to what we share in together, our relationship with God; and then also what we share out together, what we give out, as well as receive.

By nurturing our relationship with God, we will be able to depend, and trust on Him, during these unusual times.

Lastly verse 47 tells us how the early church praised God daily. And while we might not be able to attend our usual church services at this time, we are able to engage with the online services that we are uploading via our website and various social media platforms. We can worship at home, either on our own, or with our family members and again we have made available some great family resources for us all to use. To help us stay further connected, on Sundays we also have two different ‘zoom’ conversations that we can join in with, 4pm for Family focus, and 6:30pm for ‘The Gathering’.

I pray in the days ahead that we may all be able to connect deeper with God, and with each other, and if there is anyone you know of that is feeling particularly isolated then please do get in touch with us so that we can do what we can to help them feel connected.

In His name,
Mandy Richardson
Children Youth and Families Minister

We are not alone…

Last month Rev Irene wrote about how for everything there is a season from Ecclesiastes 3, and here we are experiencing a season of potential discomfort, isolation and anxiety. As coronavirus continues to sweep through the nation and our planet, it is easy for us to become fearful and anxious for what our future holds.

As a church we have been studying through this time of Lent, ‘The Things He Carried’ by Stephen Cottrell. The book guides us through the many aspects of the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ. In a chapter I read recently, one of the questions was ‘What does it feel like to be alone?’ A seemingly apt question in our current climate.

As Christians we know we are never truly alone. Isaiah 41:10 declares that we should not fear for our Lord is with is, that He will strengthen us, help us and uphold us with His righteous hand. When Jesus was making the solitary walk with the cross he carried through the streets to calvary, I can only wonder how he felt?  His disciples and his people had rejected him. But even in the loneliness, Jesus knew his Father was with him. Jesus was crowned with thorns and dressed in a robe. This was to mock and belittle him. Do we regard Jesus as our King or do we just dress him up as one when the time suits us?

I have been truly heartened by the obvious signs of love that can be seen up and down the country. Strangers are coming to the aid of strangers; communities are being brought together to meet the needs of the most vulnerable.  Our nation came together on the 26th March to applaud at our front doors those who work for NHS and their continuing efforts to fight this virus. This is the power of Jesus. He is the light that shines in the darkness, but the darkness does not overcome it. My prayer, and one in which I hope you will join with me, is that when this isolation comes to end, our nation will come ever closer than it was before.

So although we are isolated from each other. Although we cannot see our friends, family and church family, we know there is someone closer than a brother or sister and is always with us.

Let us take this opportunity to fulfil our Lenten call to focus our lives on who God wants us to be; let us become more disciplined in our bible study and passionate about prayer, knowing we are not truly alone. Jesus is our friend and comforter!

Blessings,
Alasdair Hutson