Brad and I have been going to First Mennonite Church pretty regularly since we moved here in September. We definitely started to build a sense of community there and even know people's names! This past Sunday, Brad was out of town for a race, and so I went to church by myself. I don't think about being alone until I walk in. For some reason, walking into church alone takes me back. It doesn't seem to matter that I've been going to that church for 6 months and recognize many people there. I just don't like going to church alone.
However, by the end of the first verse of the hymn, I no longer felt alone. I had instantly joined a community that ran much deeper than just the voices that mingled in the air. We were singing words and following a melody that had been written over 100 years prior. Generations of Mennonites had been singing that voice in many churches allover the US and probably world. By joining in the singing, I instantly joined a community that filled the deepest parts of my soul.
Even though the connection to community was instant, this took a long time to develop in my life. The only reason I felt the connection so clearly is because I have been Mennonite for years. My family has been Mennonite for generations upon generations. I've grown up singing these songs and have many of my own, distinct memories of singing hymns all around the world. They speak to me because I have treasured them. I have spent years developing values that have intricately woven my faith and the very songs we sing. Brad has only been attending a Mennonite church since September. My guess is that singing a hymn would not have created the same instant connection for him. It takes years and years to build community, especially one so easily accessed.
When I moved to Denver, I knew I would be living in community the instant I walked into the Wolff Den. From the moment I left O Little Town of Washington and my beautiful two-bedroom apartment, I would be living in community. I would now share a kitchen, meal times, responsibilities, decisions, stories, and life. But it wasn't an instant community. We had lots in common, (including a house, a very modest stipend and bus schedules to say the least), but we weren't instantly connected. It takes time to build true friendships and connections. And much to my chagrin, one cannot schedule or plan for it nor can you check it off a to-do list.
But without meaning it, today we celebrated community. We got a dozen donuts from Winchell's Donuts (a Denver staple) and took off for Red Rocks Amphitheater. Sarah led us in a Bible study and a check-in, but nothing was forced or even monumental. We spent the rest of the morning in amazement at the dedicated work-out-ers, soaking up the sun and marveling in the natural beauty of Red Rocks. After we returned, we got ready for our first (hopefully of many!) grilling night. We had hamburgers or lentil-chickpea burgers with all the fixin's, baked beans and coleslaw, pineapple, veggies, and chips and dip. We sat around the grill and enjoyed each others company long after our tummies were full. We found some marshmallows to toast, but mostly just basked in the warmth of community.
We didn't have a cake or balloons or party hats or anything to indicate a celebration. We didn't even mark in on the calendar. But today we celebrated in a pretty big way.
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