The power of connection

The Rev Ruth Kennedy highlights the importance of creating and maintaining connections.

HDMI, VGA Fibre-optic, USB Phono and jack Ethernet and patch THE poetry of types of technical connections!

I still can’t find an option on Duolingo (an app to learn new languages) to assist with the translation! But I am becoming more accustomed to this technical terminology with help from Sanctus Media and the Sanctuary First team.

Connections are vital to life not just technology, aren’t they? Our connection to God, to each other, and the world beyond the faith community in our geographical or digital reach. And now, more than ever, we can increase our connection points and care more for the existing ones. It is through these connections that communities begin to form and develop as relationships grow and deepen between people who have a shared belief or interest. Cycling, book clubs, gardening, DIY-ing, running, choirs and bands, arts and crafts, walking, Church, you name it, people gather and form friendships around shared activities and beliefs. Because God created us to be in loving relationships; with Him and one another.

Gen 2: The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone”. Matthew 22: 37 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ [‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’]

During this month in Lent Sanctuary First is considering how we leap in faith together, connected as a community, as we prepare for Easter. Consider Esther, whilst in the King’s palace she remained connected with the people in Susa, asking them to fast and pray for her (Esther 4:16). Nehemiah encouraged the people to build as a group (Nehemiah 2:18). Mary Magdalene is always mentioned as part of a group of women who served and followed Jesus (Mark 15:40- 41). Nicodemus wrestled with leaving one group of people for another who followed Jesus as the Messiah, even caring for Christ after His death ( John 19:39). God placed these people in connection with others to let the love of God look like something. We are placed in relationship with others to be the love of  Jesus in action.

How do we do that as part of our digital ministry in the Church?

“ And now, more than ever, we can increase our connection points and care more for the existing ones.

That’s a big question I certainly would not claim to have all the answers to! But what I do know is that in as much as we are active IRL (in real life) we can be active in our digital communities; engaging and serving. Our digital connections are there to enhance and support ministry and life, not reduce and constrict it. They provide a wealth of opportunities to creatively connect with and respond to others with song and poetry, art and images, words and events, in whatever shared interest we can compassionately and faithfully serve and respond with. And therein is the beauty of God in it, our digital ministries are connected with how we are already loving and serving God and others in our common interests.

And that is the poetry of faith connections.

The Rev Ruth Kennedy is Digital Ministries Advisor for the Church of Scotland and minister with Sanctuary First.