A couple of weeks ago, I spent a few days at Edisto Beach. My friend from graduate school was turning 50, and to celebrate, she rented a beach house and invited about 15 women from different seasons of her life—childhood friends, grad school friends, church friends, and colleagues who had become dear friends. We were all invited to come for all or part of the week. I was there for three days, along with six other women, including two friends from graduate school that I hadn’t seen in twenty years.
It was such a gift.
We stayed up late. We hurkle-durkled (a new term I learned on the trip, which is Scottish slang that basically means relaxing with no particular agenda). We walked on the beach and through Edisto State Park. We talked about everything from raising children to caring for aging parents, our faith journeys, and what it means to be a middle-aged woman navigating this stage of life.
When I got home, I was exhausted. I slept nine hours that night! I was also full of joy and the deep contentment that comes from meaningful connection. It reminded me just how important friendship and community are. We were never meant to go it alone. God did not create us to be lone rangers. From the very beginning, we were made for relationship—with God and with each other. It is no wonder that the loneliness epidemic is causing so much harm in our culture. We are relational beings, hardwired for connection. When those connections are strong—when we laugh together, cry together, walk together, pray together—we flourish.
My time at the beach was a beautiful reminder of the gift of friendship and the power of presence. It also made me think about our church community and how essential it is that we continue creating space for real relationships across generations, through life’s many seasons, and in the everyday rhythms of faith. That is why one of the three things we encourage every new member to do is join a small group of some kind; we believe connection is vital to our spiritual well-being!
If you have not already, join a Sunday School class, sing with the Sanctuary Choir, ring with the handbells, try an upcoming Affinity Group, serve alongside others in one of our community ministries, or attend our fellowship gatherings. If you are already connected, I invite you to be someone who helps others find their place! Greet people whom you do not know in worship. Enthusiastically welcome those who visit your Sunday School class. Invite new people to sit with you in worship. Introduce folks to your circle of church friends. Those small acts of hospitality can make a world of difference and remind people they can find a place of belonging and connection.
With gratitude and joy,
Carol