Sunday October 12, 2025

Remember the old song that starts with “Button up your overcoat.  When the wind is free” I’m not sure who sang it before Nat King Cole, but there were two other older versions released in 1929.  I thought it was Shirley Temple, and if you don’t know who she was, you missed a treat: a child actor who never acted spoiled who grew up to be a diplomat.  But we are going to try the first two stanzas of “Button Up Your Overcoat,” and when you get to the end turn to you neighbor and say, “You belong to me.”

Button up your overcoat
When the wind is free
Take good care of yourself
You belong to me

Oh, eat an apple every day
Get to bed by three
Take good care of yourself
You belong to me

We do belong to each other in a community.  We are interdependent and feel a sense of connection that will grow over the years. Trust gets built, tried, and it holds up.  Someone acts selfish, and the whole group suffers.  Even little things can be a stimulus for change. We are a microcosm of symbiosis, all touched by those who may come or who have gone.  A piece of us goes with them.  But we still have each other.  Sometimes it is said, “These are my people.”  You belong.

But we are interdependent. It’s like a family.  Jay wrecked his car and suddenly the whole family has to adjust schedules. Feeling a sense of belonging can have profound effects on individuals and families, mostly it is to  enrich their lives in various ways.

One of the best things that it offer is a sense of purpose, and a recognition that there is something bigger than us at work in this world.  I find that sometimes quite heartening, and sometimes it makes me feel like such a small star in a large sky, pushing and pulling energy with the rest of the stars in the galaxy who all look like they have taken up that one little space in the dark, and never move.  But they are constantly adjusting but move. The  preponderance of them are millions of years old.  Yet we are a part of this ancient universe, and it feels a lot less daunting when we have a sense of belonging in something more manageable and comforting, with relationships. We also find a sense of contributing to this larger whole.  So we form these little communities, and they become our social ecosystems, and as a church we are to be about love.  Together we are told in the Bible to love each other and to be a source of love for others.

Church communities also offer emotional support during difficult times. We hold each other up in prayer.  We often find comfort in shared worship and encouragement from others with similar beliefs and values. We find comfort from each other with shared songs. This support helps individuals cope with life’s challenges and fosters resilience.  It’s a tough time right now for anybody who has compassion and empathy for others.  We need each other, and the good news is that we have each other.  We just have to make the effort towards building these relationships so that the connections become clear.  But you have to open yourself up and allow others in the community to treat you like a community member.  We have to be open and inclusive as a church community, but we also, as individuals, allow others to get to know us and actually know the good and the bad of who you are, the weaknesses, the deficits, even the problematic attitude or behavior.  This allows us to grow individually and as a person.  We can encourage the good in one another as well.

Whether you believe in a deity called God or just a Higher Power we don’t understand, being together reminds us to  that collectively we can worship this power. And somehow this big and exquisite power protects us and calls us to work together with one another like an invisible conductor of an orchestra.

Being part of a church provides a sense of purpose, as individuals engage in spiritual growth. We see the talents and gifts we each bring, and our job is to encourage those gifts.  Also we are bound by values. The teachings of Jesus and the reliance on the SPICES give us a shared understanding of life and what is important to pay attention to in our daily lives when we are away from one another. Traditions of the church give us a framework for understanding life, helping each other find meaning and direction.  Our new habit (or we are trying to make it a habit) of forming a circle at the end of worship can be something we look forward to, or the shared silence is another tradition we can anticipate.

This church serves as gathering place where people of similar faith and values form lasting friendships. Regular interactions through worship services, study groups, social events, and shared experiences helping others together, even walking together when we protest or stand up for a cause fosters a sense of community.

A community church reduces feelings of isolation and loneliness.  We have each other to reach out to and to be there for each other.  One of you goes to the emergency room, and the other shows up to be of support.

Whether it is feeding the people at transitional housing or the warming center, or working together at the food pantry, we encourage each other to engage in volunteer work, charitable activities, and outreach programs. These opportunities allow us to make a positive impact on our town.  It helps with cultivating empathy and a spirit of generosity.

We can learn new skills from one another and support someone who is going through change. This often provides avenues for personal growth, including leadership opportunities and mentorship. In community we discover hidden talents, and grow in confidence through active participation in the life of our church.

Our guiding SPICES of simplicity, peace, community, equality and stewardship reinforce shared values and morals, guiding us in making ethical choices and living with integrity. This guidance provides a consistent foundation for teaching right from wrong.

Churches mark important milestones together like Joe’s recording and Sarah’s  weddings.  It is not unusual think about community and funeral, who will be there and how they will help each other.  Celebrating life’s significant moments together gives us shared memories.. Celebrating these events within a caring community adds depth and meaning to these experiences.

Being in community in this church is much more than attending services. It provides emotional, spiritual, social, and practical benefits that enrich lives and foster this sense of belonging. Whether through support in times of need, opportunities to serve, or the joy of shared celebrations, being a part of a shared community can be a deeply fulfilling experience.

Queries:

• How has this church community helped you?
• How do you help this church community?