Connected...

God places high value on staying connected Ibelieve that everyone has the need to belong. We meet this need through fami­ly, school, church and other community places of connec­tion. Even this weekend, we have the Venetian Festival to gives us an opportunity to connect with people. We stay connected with cell phones, the Internet and even smart­phones that can achieve both. With all of these options available to us, why do we feel so lonely? We are so busy going our own separate ways that we have discon­nected in a gigantic way from those around us. I was on a college campus the other day and I saw a cou­ple of students walking side by side. As they approached me I could see them both talking on their phones to someone else. They were to­gether but not totally present with each other. How many times do we say “How are you?” and are not interested in the answer? It is not about age or technical advances, but about simply disconnect­ing in general. For us to be a community that connects, we must take time to reconnect with one another. When I was growing up, I used to be able to stop by someone’s home for a visit without an invitation or any prior arrangements. My mother and her friends used to help each other with house­work and then sit around sharing coffee and stories about life and what was hap­pening in each other’s lives. I know that great prophetess Carly Simon told us in the ‘70s that, “These are the Good Old Days,” but can’t we borrow some of these old ideas and give them a new twist? I know when you are older, you Top

have less time to do the things I am talking about. With work, kids in school, things around the house that need tending to and just the business of life, it can be overwhelming at times. Could it be as simple as just stopping to smell the roses? Summer is finally here after a long winter, and it would be a real shame if we let it pass us by without making a new friend or at least reconnect­ing with an old one. The Bible tells us there is value in community. Chris­tians practice the sacrament of Communion, which is simply a way to remember and to reconnect with God and with each other. It is a way to slow down and ask ourselves some important questions. Why are we here? What value do I give to oth­ers? How can I share the things I value with the rest of the world by reconnecting? Reconnecting and remem­bering are great. Let’s try to reconnect this week. Whether it’s a trip to the Venetian Fes­tival, a visit to your church or your synagogue or however you connect, find a way to remember that you are not alone and there are other peo­ple out there who care and would like to connect with you as well. See you around town. Today’s Insights was written by the Rev. Dan Smith, pastor of Zion Evan­gelical United Church of Christ in St. Joseph. Insights is written by area clergy to give different viewpoints on a variety of topics. It is published each Saturday in cooperation with the Berrien County Association of Churches. The views expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the views of member churches.