Friday, August 6, 2021

Connecting

Anne McSally

connect:

a verb meaning “to join together as to provide access and communication”

“to bring together, into contact so that a real link is established”

The groundbreaking celebration for the new Roberts Connector is a wonderful milestone in the daily life of St. John’s Church. If we take a moment to consider the above definitions, it’s amazing how the physical construction of the connector serves to illustrate and symbolize the deeper spiritual connections we humans seek.

Recently, instead of just texting a dear college friend who lives far away, I decided to call her. She had sent me a beautiful handmade birthday card that she had crafted and enclosed a lovely handwritten note. While we are both part of a larger group text, we had not heard each other’s voices since last year. I was a bit nervous that I would catch her at an inconvenient time. Pleasantly surprised, I found she was free and we caught up on life over the course of an hour. We agreed we both felt energized and uplifted by the impromptu call’s unexpected connection. My friend was so inspired she marked her calendar to “pay it forward “ and call another friend. Recent research studies even support our testimonial of the power of voice over text as we humans seek connection.

Here’s an excerpt from Maya Angelou’s poem “Alone” (1975):

Lying, thinking

Last night

How to find my soul a home

Where water is not thirsty

And bread loaf is not stone

I came up with one thing

And I don’t believe I’m wrong

That nobody,

But nobody

Can make it out here alone

During these challenging times, may we give thanks for all the folks hard at work creating and building the SJC connector. Access and connection are becoming a reality in a brand new way. And, may we reflect upon the profound historical meaning and symbolism here. The Spirit is at work, loving us, connecting us, and nourishing our souls. Certainly, we are not out here alone.