We Are All Family

There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about.  I think that pretty well describes our past few years together here at Sierra Christian Church.  Consider the soul-searching energy and solidarity that went into our visioning work, and then the compassion and faith that fueled our recent decision to become an open and affirming congregation.  That was good, unifying work!  That is a church community flexing its shared commitment to treating people with extraordinary decency and love, and pure concern, just because we understand that we are all valuable as human beings. 

You don’t have to be a five-year-old, or be the parent of a 10-going-on-15-year-old son, to participate.  Our church is family, and to have our congregation attends these events to show support and, well, community, will go a very long way in demonstrating our commitment to growing and championing each other.  This is what family does.  How cool would it have been as the kids were engrossed in “Hotel Transylvania 3” and wolfing down pizza and cake to have looked around to see not just their parents and buddies but church elders and congregation members also eating pizza and chocolate cake while watching Count Dracula fall in love on a cruise to the Bermuda Triangle?  The message that sends cannot be over emphasized.

Being present is what Jesus has always asked of us, because relationships are all there is.  Everything in the universe only exists because it is in relationship to everything else. This is true whether you are a planet orbiting a sun, an individual praying to God for blessings and courage, or a child looking across a room and seeing an older person smiling at the same silly movie they are.

I think this is the kind of Church we want to be.  I know it will take some time to get there, but I also know we have the people and faith and love to accomplish this. 

So, let’s take the time to be family for each other, because it really does take a village, and we all deserve to be a part of the power and fun that will generate.

–Pastor Christine Pobanz-Hartmire