How is it With Your Spirit in This Freezing February?
We are together on this journey through life. If you are feeling disconnected or isolated, there are several ways to connect with others and remember you are part of a loving, caring community.
As we begin February with significantly cold windchills, I’m wondering how you all are. How is it with your spirit? Are you staying warm literally and metaphorically? Are you planning your gardens, summer vacations, weekends away, or anything that gives you hope and reminds you that winter doesn’t really last forever?
With each day, the sun sets a little bit later and we celebrate the lengthening days. Yet, there is ice and snow everywhere, with more likely to come soon. Spring is still a ways away, especially here in Minnesota. So what do you do to keep your spirits up?
One of the things that brings me joy is the gathering of the Living Table community. We’ve been averaging about 40 people in worship each week, sometimes with half of you on Zoom. I love that we have interactive Zoom to help people stay connected with community when coming in person is a challenge.
For those of you who might be feeling disconnected or not quite connected enough, there are other opportunities for kinship and connection.
- The Tuesday group meets on Zoom-only at 2 pm for an hour of conversation and sharing stories.
- Tonight (2/2/23), and every first Thursday, Heart Circle meets on Zoom for deeper sharing of whatever challenges folx want to share.
- If you want a little more structure, Saturday morning Bible study meets at 8 am and we’ve just begun to read Acts.
- Every Sunday at 9:00 am on Zoom and in person, Sunday Circle meets to check in with one another.
Maybe none of these groups work for you, and you would still like to feel more connected to the community. You still have options. You can ask for a pastoral visit via Zoom or in person, or a visit from a Congregation Care Team member. We don’t want anyone to feel left out in the cold.
In the meantime, don’t forget to make room for joy in your life. Take some time out of your day for daydreaming, watching birds, noticing the beauty of the world around you. When we notice the small things, gratitude can awaken within us, and our world might just feel a little brighter and warmer.
I know I say this frequently, and it is worth repeating: you are not alone. You are beloved and a needed and wanted part of this community. If you are feeling isolated and alone, please reach out to someone and let us help hold hope with you through the hard days of winter.
About Rachael Keefe
Rev. Dr. Rachael Keefe is the pastor of Living Table United Church of Christ. She was called to Living Table in 2015 after serving in many varied ministry settings since her ordination in 1992. She holds graduate degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary and Andover Newton Seminary at Yale (formerly Andover Newton Theological School). Her ministry and leadership often center around advocacy and accessibility. Her writing has been published by Chalice Press, The Christian Century, Red Letter Christians, Working Preacher, RevGalBlogPals, and others. She is grateful to be in ministry with Living Table today.
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Thank you, Sandy. I hope others will share their thoughts here, too.
I think being Community for each other is a big part of making the Kindom of God be here on earth now. I’m honored to be part of this Community with you all. None of us have to be alone. We are truly blessed!