Community

Ongoing conversion happens only in community life. We can’t do it for ourselves. I had a college chaplain who was very fond of saying “There are no solo Christians,” and he was absolutely right. Everyone finds their community – or their overlapping communities – that leads to their conversion.

– Br. Jonathan Maury, SSJE

Way of Love: Daily Practice

Contact a local elected representative. Talk to them about a vulnerable group in your community.

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There’s a portion of our Rule of Life that’s been very helpful to me in living in community. It talks about silence as a gift that allows us to recognize and revere the mystery of every person. Each person is a mystery to us, and there are aspects of that person’s life that we will never know, no matter how well we know them. Only God alone can know this person as they truly are. This is a way to open our hearts to greater compassion.

– Br. David Vryhof, SSJE

Way of Love: Daily Practice

Invite silence into all your interactions today.

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We don’t do church alone because God isn’t alone. God is community and invites us into community. God chose a family to bless and save the whole world through Abraham. No one person could do it alone. The Christian story, and all of the stories of scripture,  are about a people. Our story is one of families and of communities. 

– Br. Luke Ditewig, SSJE

Way of Love: Daily Practice

Jesus says, “I am the vine; you are the branches.” Who is your community?

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The very nature of the Triune God is community. The Father, Son and Spirit are One in reciprocal self-giving and love. Because human beings are made in the image of a relational God, humans are not meant to be separate and isolated from one another. Rather, we are called to live together in shared community. 

– The Rev. Becky Zartman

Way of Love: Daily Practice

Read the Prayer attributed to St. Francis (BCP 833). Sit silently. Invite God to speak through this reading.

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We’re not only a gathered people, we’re also a sent people.  Jesus says, “I send you into the world.  Just as the Father sent me into the world, I’m sending you.” We need to be sent out from the church building itself – and from the church community itself – to have a wider rippling effect in the world. 

– Br. David Vryhof, SSJE

Way of Love: Daily Practice

Worship in community today – virtually, or with those with whom you live. Watch “Signs of Life: Community

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