Community

You would probably expect that after a long delay in updates there would be a post here about our brand new baby…if in fact she was here yet. Instead we are still patiently waiting for her to show up in the world.

We have now been in Richmond for about 10 months. Probably our greatest prayer when we moved here was that we would really find and become part of a "community", a group of people truly concerned for one another and consistently available to one another. Certainly we understand the process of building community takes time. Yet, we also know the needs of fellowship, accountability, support, and challenge that true community can fulfill. While we started to build that in Philadelphia (and we really miss our friends there) it has been nothing short of amazing to see how God has quickly moved us into the path of other people in Richmond that deeply desire community.

A lot of people for Tim's birthday party.

Nothing says "community" like a pig pickin'

Tim enjoying more than one plate (it was his party).

Even the passing of a few weeks reveals how blessed we are.We have been to a handful of summer parties including one a few weeks ago that was multi-purpose. We got together with a bunch of friends to welcome a new friend to Richmond (the official Mac welcome), it served as a Happy Birthday for Stephen (who failed to show up at his own party for 3 hours), and it was a moving part for the Yancey Street girls who have been hosting our small group for the past 6 months. The same weekend as the party we had a surprise baby shower for Sue hosted by our friends Brenda and Tim Cole. Sue’s mom and sister were able to come up for the weekend and surprise her with the shower.

There were many wonderful gifts from friends.

Aunt-to-be Jayne was very here to celebrate and also helped us by stocking our freezer with plenty of Moravian Chicken Pies. (Jayne you are welcome to return anytime!)

Expectant mother and grandmother enjoying lunch!

Teamwork preparing the salad for lunch.

And teamwork consuming the lunch...delicious.

Also on Sunday nights the Hormel’s have been hosting people to their house for dessert, games, and prayer. The last few weeks there have been a handful of us starting to talk and pray together about living in “intentional community” with one another and committing ourselves to each other and a specific urban community in Richmond. This is something that is at the heart of what Sue and I feel called to in the city so it has been exciting to begin envisioning what this all may look like together. This past Sunday our little group was invited to the home of other friends who have been living in the same neighborhood together for about 3 years. It is just so encouraging to see and hear about others who take seriously the call to be loving neighbors in the city. It is also helpful to offer a little perspective and a reality check to the dreaming and waiting process. It is also neat to see how community develops organically and through the small details of day to day life. For instance, I have been going to a men’s prayer group that meets on Monday morning at our church. Typically there are about 5 to 8 guys there simply to encourage one another and pray for each other, the church, and the city. This whole setup started over two years ago. The first time we had ever been in Richmond we showed up on a Monday morning. We were here (while traveling back to Philadelphia) to learn more about the city and ministry that was happening here. At the time there were just two men meeting together on Monday morning with no plans for anything else. Those two men were Tim (who hosted our baby shower) and Matt (who hosted us last Sunday evening).

Another way we’ve become part of a community is by helping to meet needs. We have been able to take meals to several families that just had babies, and we have someone lining up meals for us as well. We’ve had the chance to take food to our friend Abner who is laid up all summer from multiple foot surgeries. On the way to take Abner dinner we saw two other friends in the window of a Chinese restaurant sharing a meal together. That is such a small detail but yet another piece of the pie that helps us to feel like we are starting to build real relationships to people and the physical community around us.

I’ve also had the chance to work part time lately coaching at U-Turn Sports Performance Academy. That opportunity also came from a friend who just moved here months ago and is now attending our church and Monday morning prayer as well. I’ve had a great time coaching kids from U-Turn’s outreach programs. Lately I have had several strong job leads with community organizations that have come to me from friends within our church community as well.

This is just a small view into our lives as of late but it really shows the need for relationships and authentic community. It’s no wonder that God’s second greatest commandment, after loving Him whole heartedly, is to love our neighbors with the same commitment and passion.

As a final note...we'll try to keep our camera around more often to keep the pictures coming.