Where do I belong?

This week I'm preparing a worship message that invites us to practice gratitude as a community. Yet, as I work on this message I realize that I am assuming you feel you are a part of the community we call Louisville United Methodist Church.

Do you? Do you feel a part of the community of Louisville UMC?

Where else do you feel a part of a group? Do you feel like you're a part of your family? Do you feel a part of a community group or a department at work? Where do find yourself connected with people that you identify with?

This past week I officiated a memorial service for a Louisville community member. Initially the family thought 50-60 people would gather to celebrate his life. Then, there was a text message a couple days beforehand, "We think there may be 100+." As the service progressed the sanctuary of the LUMC building filled until all seats were taken and people were standing in the doorways.

There were family members gathered, friends and neighbors, co-workers, and even people who had been Brad's customers felt a call to honor his life by attending his memorial service. Brad's circles of community included so many people in different aspects of his life; some overlapped and some did not. And, even in their differences, this body of people who knew Brad came together in gratitude for Brad having been in their lives. They were a community together because of Brad even if they didn't know it before last Thursday.

As we journey through worship together tomorrow, I hope you can find yourself at home among all gathered in the sanctuary and beyond. I hope you find yourself reflecting on the groups within whom you can authentically be yourself and enthusiastically champion the groups values and mission. And, wherever you find yourself in community, I pray you are able to find gratitude together in the monotony of the day-to-day as well as the unexpected.

Peace,
Rev Elizabeth