A Note on Community

Last updated on: April 15, 2015 at 4:36 pm by Jessica Church

A Note on Community 2015-04-15T16:36:14-06:00 Jessica Church

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

It’s not enough to talk about community. It’s not enough to quickly wave hello to your neighbors, then hustle into the safety of your home (though we all do it). Real community happens when you ask and answer honest questions. It happens when you console someone, lift someone up, or find a solution to a problem that has been nagging them for days, weeks, years. That’s where real relationships develop.

Hillary in Iowa. Photo Courtesy the Guardian:

These friend-to-friend, coworker-to-coworker, family member-to-family member ties are critical. They comprise America. Imagine a big map, with little strings connecting people. Some would go from house to house in the neighborhood where I grew up. Some would stretch all the way across the country connecting friends and family members who have moved far away from home.

In each instance, that connection is unique. But there are surely some constants.
– A willingness to listen
– A penchant for working together
– A search for common ground
– A goal to enrich the lives of those you love

This is what I’ve seen from Secretary Hillary Clinton this week on her first campaign sojourn to Iowa. It is real and it is inspiring; and I can’t wait for more.

Since her announcement, Hillary Clinton has showed that she, too, understands the importance of community. With only a few staff and the necessary Secret Service, Hillary hopped in a van and drove across the country from New York to Iowa. Once there, she spent time with small groups of Iowans, hoping to get to know them, specifically what’s nagging them and what they need help fixing.

How good and pleasant it is when we join together. I sense a stronger community in the making.

Jessica Church is a faithful Democrat living and working in Washington, DC. You can reach Jessica on twitter at @j_r_church or by email at [email protected].

Secretary Hillary Clinton

small meetings

van

Previous Post

April 13, 2015

She's running for President!

Next Post

April 26, 2015 Why I'm Ready for Hillary

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category About Us About Us Action Center Advertise Ask a Theologian Ask a Theologian Blogs Books Campaign Blog Candidate Spotlights Commentary Donate Facebook Featured Writers Fellows Fellows From the Pulpit General Information Hillary Clinton Interfaith Blog Latest Media Center Media Center Media Center MyBlog MyBlog News Newsflash Newsflashes Our Team Reader Blogs RSS Sermon of the Week Shop Social Networking Static Items Support Talking Points Test blogs The Basics Theology Uncategorized YouTube

Select a Month November 2020 October 2020 February 2020 August 2019 July 2018 July 2017 March 2017 February 2017 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 June 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 January 2006 August 2004

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What is the key message of Proverbs about how to live?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Seek power Pursue wisdom Win battles Amass riches