How is accessibility inextricably connected to building belonging?

When considering the title of our spiritual theme for the month, “Building Belonging”, I can easily see multiple interpretations, some of which are directly related to the Building and Grounds efforts that the team has been working hard on for the last couple months.

I’m sure that the intended interpretation involves building connectedness between the people of our congregation, both members and friends.  How do we learn about one another, develop relationships with one another, truly understand one another, become friends with one another, and ultimately lean on one another in those times when we need support?  I’ll leave the answers to those questions for Sunday morning services. 

But now, thinking of this from a Building & Grounds perspective, how do we create “belonging” to our “building” here on Gordon Avenue?  We probably all have a personal residence that we think of and care for as our home.  I’d suggest that, as we think of our shared Gordon Ave. building and our fellow congregants, we consider this building to be our spiritual home, accessible to all. 

Every relationship has “give and take.”  Just as the building offers us shelter and support, we need to each play a role in supporting or caring for our building.  When you see a property-related problem, take action:  pick it up, clean it up, straighten it out, or report it to Building & Grounds!

We’ll be “building belonging” with one another as we “build belonging with our building!”

by Bob Butikofer