Pastor Cindy Senarighi RN
Scripture ~ And let us consider how we may spur one another on to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another. Hebrews 10:24-25a
Spiritual Focus ~ “Community is a gift of the Spirit that may present itself in many different ways: in silence as well as in words, in listening as well as in speaking, in living together as well as in a solitary life, and in various forms of worship and active service.” — Henri Nouwen, Dutch priest, professor, and author known for his teachings on spiritual life and community
Breath Prayer ~ Every breath, a new beginning
Devotion ~ In 1963 Bob Dylan wrote and recorded the song, “The Times They are a-Changin’.” While he was trying to create an anthem of change that would flow with Irish and Scottish melodies, little did he know how prophetic the song’s lyrics would become, echoing lines from the book of Ecclesiastes. Since its recording, “The Times They are a-Changin” has been used to mark events and even shifts in society: Dylan sang it at the opening of his concert the day after President John Kennedy was assassinated, Steve Jobs used it to announce Apple products, and the TV series “The Crown” played it as the musical backdrop to its montage.
This anthem of change is as relevant today as ever as we shift again to try and understand a new way of being, especially of being in community. As the COVID pandemic drags on, our need for community becomes even more important. People have explored different ways to serve, to be together, and to encourage one another. Ultimately, we have learned that to be connected is not about whether we’re in person, virtual, or on the phone, but that we are connected heart to heart. Being connected in community makes these and any changing times easier.
One of the best gifts at the intersection of faith and yoga is how they encourage both a solitary life and a life of community, a connection of body, mind, and heart as well as a connection of self to one another. Both yoga philosophy and faith practices teach how to be silent, still, and listen as well as to serve. For example, the Bhakti yoga tradition teaches how to worship; karma yoga emphasizes service. Churches at their very best have been institutions that create caring communities to encourage each other in love, service, and justice. Jesus himself withdrew to the desert for 40 days, practicing silence and stillness to seek wisdom from the heart of God. Afterward, he began his ministry of love and justice in the community and with the community. Community is a good gift, a God gift, a gift of the Spirit. And while the times are always changing, when we come together and connect through the wisdom of God’s heart, we can navigate the changes.
