Here at SOCC we have so many diverse things like race, ethnicity, age, background, etc. that make us individuals in our own way. I also know that there can be several things that we can have in common, but the one thing that sticks out to me is the fact that we are on the same mission to Love God, Love others and maintain a sense of community and togetherness amongst our church. Community is extremely important in any group that is aiming for the same goal. You know the bigger picture. A group of people who have different opinions, but can agree on a mission that lives out that one true purpose!
I truly believe that we have community going on at our church, but I don’t believe it’s as solid as it can be. Some people who have known each other for years tend to fellowship with one or two particular groups of people outside of these four walls and while it is great to have friendships of that capacity and that are long lasting, it is also important to understand the need for inclusivity when encountering others that are a part of the body and not leaving anyone out. I don’t think that it’s intentional when this happens; I just think it’s one of the harder things we should talk about and try to improve on. We are all human and creatures of habit, so in our minds it makes sense to do what we’ve always done and fellowship with who we’ve always fellowshipped with, right?
These habits of routinely approaching this idea of “Church Family” to being your “favorite people” has to be disrupted and seen through a diverse lenses in order to have true community!
1 Corinthians 12:25-27 says
25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
To the reader of this blog:
I hope this verse challenges you like it has challenged me and allowed me to examine my thoughts on what it means to be a community!
This Sunday February 23, 2020 is our Black History Celebration “Black Ties” at 5:30pm in the SOCC Gym. This event is all about community and is for every single person in our church. Young, old, white, black, Hispanic, Asian, Arabic, male, female, you name it. This is a time of celebrating the fact that we get to be together as a family of faith. Our featured guest – Bandan Koro Drum And Dance Company – will emphasize the importance of community and how rhythm and music have been bringing us together for centuries! Composers like Scott Joplin used practices that tie back to African cultures during the Ragtime era. Joplin had a lot to do with this new style which was one of the first signs of music in America evolving from the audience just being spectators to the audience participating and clapping along as a part of these Ragtime performances. The Ragtime sound and idea gave birth to the music that we all love like Blues, Swing, Jazz, etc.
If you’d like to hear some Scott Joplin Piano pieces performed by Ken Poland, spoken word about ”Joplin” from Domonique Briscoe and Victoria Dawson, and learn about the different drums that give us that great rhythm and what they mean, come be a part of the entire community this Sunday at 5:30pm!
