I’ve been thinking about what it means to live in intentional community.
The congregation I serve strives to engage the community. We have an emergency food shelf. We have a community garden that is simply amazing. During winters, a group makes sleep mats — a pretty amazing upcycling project! Old plastic bags are turned into “yarn,” then knitted together to make a thick plastic mat with a pocket on the bottom to protect folks experiencing homelessness from the cold, damp ground. There are many other ways my flock reaches out into the community — Christmas gifts, turkeys for Thanksgiving and all the ways they serve as individuals.
The thing we are probably most known for in the community is our preschool, where kids ages 2-6 come each day during the week. I learned this as I answered the question, “Where do you work?” I would explain where the church is, and the response is almost always, “Oh, where the preschool is!” This is a ministry of the congregation to serve our community; it fulfills a need for part-time preschool. I have taken to calling the staff, students and families my “weekday congregation.” Each week, nearly 80 children fill our building with their joy and excitement and sometimes meltdowns. We provide a safe space for them to learn and socialize. Our teachers, without a doubt, love what they do and the school grows its own community. People from years past end up supporting current folks. The school has existed long enough that parents who were once students are returning with their children. It gives me a chance to build relationships within the community as well. There are kids who are always eager to wave and say hello to the pastor from their school.
Having the school is a great gift to the congregation as well. We are blessed with a building that bustles with activity during the week. (I may have a pet peeve about empty buildings.) Our women’s Bible study delights in hearing the laughter of the students. Church folks support the staff, bring small gifts for Christmas and Easter for the students and some come in to read with them. Prior to the pandemic, we all worked together on a collective art project.
This past year was hard for everyone because of the pandemic. Our enrollment was limited, our interaction between church and school were minimal. As the pastor, even I only met the students twice for chapel for Christmas and Easter. I did not hear the joy or meltdowns. Our ladies’ Bible study didn’t meet. Yet we still came together to on projects for food drives, for Christmas gifts for kids in need and our deacons still managed little token gifts for the kids. It wasn’t like other years and I certainly missed hearing and knowing the kids. Yet in early June as we gathered in the parking lot for graduation, I was overcome with joy as I saw their faces and heard their voices.
I am so glad we are able to offer a safe space and solid program for children to grow. Especially in this most challenging year. I am grateful for the parents who trust us with their precious little ones each day. I am grateful that we are growing a community within the community. This is church!
