Some people argue that our country is founded on the principles of individualism. We often speak about a person who is a self-made man or woman, meaning I guess, someone who climbed to success completely on his or her own power. Perhaps these people exist but I have yet to meet one. Those I know who are  ‘successful’, whatever that means, usually have a long list of folks who have mentored them, challenged them, encouraged them, and often prayed over them. In fact, I think that describes each of us, successful or not. We may walk the earth on our own two legs but there is a visible and invisible community that walks with us.

There are times when community pulls together more than others, times when you look around and realize that, like it or not, you are a part of something larger. One of those times is when tragedy strikes. I still have a vivid image of worshiping at the Cathedral of St. Paul in the days after September 11th. Thousands poured into the pews…professionals, day laborers, religious, those who hadn’t walked into a church in years. Within moments we had created a community of people held by tragedy and the longing for comfort and hope.

My heart is aching today for my hometown in southern Ohio. The entire county is reeling from a horrific murder of a beautiful, wonderful woman. What they knew as their sweet,simple life has been attacked with fear, confusion and immense grief. What they have found was not the power of being individuals, but the deep connection of community that will get them through these dark days. Through the strength of faith and one another they will survive.

While holding these beloved people in my prayers, I have also been swept up in another experience of community, the community that expresses itself in pride and joy. The high school in our district which celebrates its 150th anniversary this month, is for the first time in its history in the boy’s state basketball tournament. As I attended the game yesterday…how could I stay away?….my eyes scanned the crowd. Of course hundreds of students were there to provide school spirit and deafening cheers. But also sprinkled among them were teachers who have taken on the task of helping prepare these young men for lives far past this moment of glory. There were parents holding their collective breath while inwardly filled to overflowing with pride, plus grandparents, aunts, uncles, younger siblings. Throughout the crowd there were those folks like me who skipped out of a work day in their suits and ties because this is ‘our school’ and ‘our team’. By our presence we were staking a claim for community that individualism could never touch.

And so today with one arm I reach out toward the community that raised me and provided the connections I needed in my growing, saying a prayer of comfort. And with the other arm I reach out toward this community in which I have found home and the connections that have nurtured my children, offering gratitude for those experiences that hold us together and lift us above the mundane.

"We are all on a journey together…to the center of the universe…Look deep into yourself, into another. It is to a center which is everywhere that is the holy journey….First you need only look: Notice and honor the radiance of everything about you….Play in this universe. Then all these shining things around you: The smallest plant, the creatures and objects are in your care. Be gentle and nurture. Listen…as we experience and accept all that we really are…we grow in care. We begin to embrace others as ourselves, and learn to live as one among many….." Ann Hillman

Have a great weekend…………….