For three weeks in my column, I am talking about the three words that the staff and I have chosen as our mantras for the 2023-2024 Program Year. Last week I discussed Foundational Stability. This week, I want to talk about JOY!
Our congregation, our larger community, our country and our world have been through a LOT in the last few years. For some, it has felt traumatic. For some it has felt isolating. For others, it has just been exhausting. While joy won’t fix all of that, it certainly feels like a fitting antidote to all of that. With all of the heaviness of the world’s ills, we need to remember to smell the roses, dance, and find the moments of connection and joy together. We are hoping to do that through Community Nights, a new community auction, a homecoming celebration, worship rituals and more.
We want to be a community where we talk about the real things that are going on, but we also can provide a break from them as well. We want to be a community where we lift up each other and celebrate life’s joys and accomplishments together. And we want to provide opportunities to laugh and connect.
How do you think we can bring joy into our community life this year? I’d love to hear from you!