September2012 Newsletter

 September 2012

“The body is a community made up of its innumerable cells; its inhabitants.” 
- Thomas Edison  

                                                             

Dear Saint Anne’s families,

We parents, living here in this corner of North America, are not short of opportunities for our children.  Sports, music, dance, art, language, drama, choirs, scouting.  Our countertops are piled high with “opportunities” galore!  As my family decides where we will spend our time and our money – where we can say, “Yes, we’ll be there” and where we say, “We won’t be able to make it” - I’ve been thinking about what makes a community.  Why, where, and how does community happen?

And as Sunday Club teachers are preparing for another year, I’ve been considering what is it that makes the Saint Anne’s community?  A church community is often thought of as a place where “good” people do “good things”.  And yes, churches often are, and often do.  But if that’s all, we could be good, caring people who stay at home on Sunday mornings to take a break from our crazy schedules! 

Last week, after the opening hymn and prayers at the 10:30 service, Nolan, my brand-new 2^nd-grader, curled up in his chair and closed his eyes.  “I’m going to take a little nap during the next part,” he said, “but wake me up for Communion, please.” 

Of course.  As usual, the children get it right so naturally. 

The Greek word “koinonia” appears in the Bible many times.   It is the word often translated as “Communion”, meaning the breaking and sharing of the bread.  But just as Communion has many layers, koinonia also means more.  It is also translated as: “fellowship”, “sharing”, “participation”, “contribution”.  Koinonia.  Communion.  Being present.  Vulnerability.  Offering gifts.  Accepting gifts.  Allowing transformation.  Stepping together into mystery.  Community with a capital C.

When Nolan said he did not want to miss Communion, I think what he did not want to miss was the opportunity for Community.  The gathering together, shoulder to shoulder, to feed and be fed. Acceptance.  Belonging.  The knowledge that each of us is a part of one sacred whole.  Connection to the deep mystery and deep truth that continually shapes and forms us. 

And who would want to miss this?  Our children get it right so naturally.

This is why, even as we’re overwhelmed by our calendars, bursting with homework and clubs and lessons and sports, we parents perform the heroic feats it takes to get everyone fed and dressed and out the door on Sunday mornings.  Because we know we are each a part of all that koinonia is and because we know that koinonia, with all of its nuanced meanings, is a critical part of who we are.  And because when we become so busy that we forget why it is exactly that Sunday mornings are worth the effort, our children are there to remind us.  Wake me up for Community, please!

As Sunday Club teachers meet and plan for this year, there is a buzz and hum in the air.  We can’t wait to step - and hop and skip and leap! - into Community with you and your kids again. 

p e a c e,

Jennifer