The Attraction of Community
A couple who had been a part of our church community in the past and who had moved to Ohio to become part of an intentional community, returned for a visit and shared about their experiences. Hearing the words “intentional community,” my ears perked up. I’m both attracted to and challenged by the concept of…
Top Secret
I can’t tell you much about the experience. I signed a paper swearing me to secrecy, and allowing them to use anything I said. Maybe it’s one of the most top secret organizations in Harrisonburg? It’s called “Rosetta Stone.” If you haven’t heard of the company, they create computer-based language learning programs that they sell…
Compassion in Community
In the book Compassion: A Reflection on the Christian Life, Henri Nouwen, with co-authors Donald P. McNeill and Douglas A. Morrison, describe the current society’s obsession with news. All day long, people can access news about events locally and across the world. Media completely bombards society with stories of suffering, loss, and pain. Under this…
Stereotypes Written Over with Faces
Last summer, we were camping at Crabtree Falls in North Carolina. It was a new experience for us. We’d been through the state before, but had never spent a night and had never tented in that area before. One night, after a relaxing evening around the campfire, I was peacefully dreaming, curled up in my…
Generations
Today I went caroling with a group of about twenty undergraduates at the local retirement home. It was fun to sing, many of the residents sang along, and there were many smiles exchanged all around. Then we left. In Maria Archer’s research on intergenerational interactions, middle school children participated in a partner program…
End-of-Summer Worship
After the summer of people coming and going, holidays, and uncertain schedules, we finally returned to worship. Although it felt strange coming back up the hill after so many weeks away, entering the space of worship and exciting greetings of old friends and a few new faces, I sensed familiarity, warmth, and rejoicing in community.…
