Where do I belong?

Tonight in Journey we talked about belonging. Why is it important? Where do I belong? Where do I feel the most connected?

In today's gospel reading, Jesus talks about preparing a "place" for his disciples. He says he is "the way, the truth, and the life." What does that mean? And where is this place he is preparing? Do we belong there as children of God?

Where do I belong?

To help sort this out, the assignment tonight was to create a shield, kind of like a family crest, that illustrates where we most feel like we belong today (see image above). Some written responses are included below:

I most belong at my house. It is where love is all around. When my mom and dad are mad, they still love me. It is great.
--James Sauermann

I feel most accepted at school. I feel that way because I'm always in class with a friend.
--Chris Oltman

I feel like I belong at home with my mom and dad the most. This is because they love and support me. I also have known them the longest and I'm most comfortable & I'm not afraid to be myself around them.
--Ellen Atwood



Family is where I belong because I feel safe.
--Scott Stewart

I feel like I belong with my friends because I know they will accept me unconditionally.
--John Stewart

I feel I belong to my hometown the most. I have spent 16 years in this town, and I am quite attached to it. I always feel at home when I am in Edwardsville. It is comfortable and familiar to me.
--Devon Dudding



I feel I belong at home, because I will always be loved and accepted, and they love me.
--Zach Banning

I belong most to a place that accepts me for who I am, but helps me when I am in trouble, and teaches me to be better in every area of my life.
--Michael Oltman

I think that being with my mum and dad is where I belong the most. The reason is because I feel loved when I am with them, and I can tell them all things that bother me in life.
--Adam Douglas

The group I most belong to is everyone on Earth. The entire human race is with whom I belong. To help and heal the sick and enrich the lives of those around me.
--Aaron Huggins

Signs of the risen life at St. Andrew's

Photos by John Stewart and Ellen Atwood

After reading the story of the disciples' encounter with Jesus on the road to Emmaus, members of Journey were asked to identify signs and symbols of the risen life of Jesus in that scripture, as well as in Acts 2:36-47. One of the main symbols, of course, was bread: the disciples' eyes being opened as Jesus broke bread with them. But there were other signs as well: the angel at the empty tomb, baptism, fellowship. The assignment tonight was to shape dough into symbols of the risen life and bake it. Then, with cameras in hand, two groups searched St. Andrew's for photographic evidence of images of the risen life in and around the church itself. Images of angels, water, flowers, sunlight, bread. Above, you see some of the photographs that were taken tonight by group leaders John Stewart and Ellen Atwood.

Thanks to Cindy Oltman and Rachel Tompkins for helping with this project, which ended in the parish hall, filled with the smell of freshly baked bread, and a supper of bread and grapes.