All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. –Acts 2:44
Dear Beloved in Christ,
As Christians, we are called to participate with God and one another in seeking the flourishing of all creation through our common life together. Our common life. We gather in beauty to sing, pray, sit in silence, and eat together. We gather in love to care for our neighbors, to warm one another with stories over coffee and delicious food. We gather in compassion to struggle against injustice together.
The earliest Christian community made a radical, and challenging, decision to share the gifts God gave them to ensure that the needs of those among them, and around them, were met. The joy, generosity, and care of the community in Acts was so compelling that it spread like wildfire across the known world. The gifts of beauty, kindness, curiosity, and justice are the same yesterday, today, and forever, even as they look different from generation to generation. In scripture, and in the history of the church, these gifts are always held, and shared, in common.
The joy and privilege of living a life in common is one of the greatest gifts we receive from God, and one of the greatest gifts we can offer to one another and the world around us.
Why do you choose to be a part of our shared life together at Christ Church? Is it the music? Is it the community? Is it because you find meaning that you need in your life? To be honest, church (any church) is not always the easiest community to be a part of. It would be simpler to buy tickets to a concert series, or go out to brunch, or play cards with friends, where you would be safe from being asked to do dishes, or clean a courtyard, or greet guests at the door.
Yet each and every one of us are here, sharing our joyful, messy, beautiful common life together. Why are you here? What draws you? What challenges you?
How is God calling you to engage our life together?
We will spend our October Stewardship Campaign celebrating the stories of our common life together. If you want to share something with me, please reach out!
Mother Maria
Rector, Christ Episcopal Church
