Connecting as a community

by Karin von Schilling

When a second call for a contribution to the June newsletter went out, I thought I better respond!

It has been a very unusual Easter and after Easter and now Ascension time for everybody and also for us who belong to The Christian Community, we all know that. However, we have had an amazing time being accompanied by the priests of the Region sending us such amazingly beautiful “sermons” for each Sunday, together with such extraordinarily beautiful pictures and photos. We were able to read them again and again, something we cannot do if we ‘only’ hear them once.

This created an awareness of the other communities in Southern Africa, the region became more alive, all the time, through the wonderful interaction of our priests. We also experienced how different each one is, which became apparent in their different approach to the specific gospel readings, very interesting and very enriching.
 
My impression is, that as a community we have become much more conscious of each other, bearing each other in mind as we sat down to accompany the Services. For me, it was quite special too, as it were, ‘see’ you, particularly, whenever we came to the ‘Christ in you’. Many of us seem to have their own place in the community, of course, but now I mean, the actual seats which seem to have become “Your seat” and some, who are usually on top in the back. And finally, I felt the Peace going out to each one of us.

My inner eye looked into the congregation who received this blessing. There you were and I saw you more consciously then I would have done usually. So, I feel that there has been a kind of bonding during this time and it will be different when we meet again in person, then it had been previously.

Also, the inner effort to sit and actively participate and contribute invisibly was strengthening, not only receiving but putting more individual will into action, in our thinking, than is needed to sit in the car and drive to church – at least, that is how it was for me.
 
So I look forward to your response to the call and what you would like to share with us. Be well and keep warm, Karin​.