Gatherings for the Lonely

“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20

Gatherings are sacred. So, what if you don’t have many gatherings to go to? As we discuss gatherings, I am struck by the wide range of realities many of us have. Some of us are spread too thin with commitments while others of us long for more invites and connection. Let’s reflect on the latter, the lonely. In this season, many of us find ourselves overwhelmed with the feelings of loneliness--whether it may be missing the person that is now gone, feeling left out of social events, disconnected or rejected by family, etc. There might be a subtle feeling of disconnection or maybe a crippling ache of loneliness. We all have many different experiences with a common denominator of wanting more connection with others. 

One of the reasons God loves gatherings is that gatherings connect us to one another. Our gatherings, or when we throw a good party, symbolize a warm welcome to each person: you belong, you have people, you don’t have to go about this one alone. 

In this season, my invitation is to “tune in” to your current needs and also your capacity to give. If you are on the more lonely end of the spectrum, how can you “show up” this season with imagination, openness, and curiosity. Maybe it looks like volunteering at a local place in need, reaching out to someone and asking for connection, or saying “yes” to an invite, even if it’s uncomfortable. If you are someone with more capacity to give, be looking out for folks that could use an invite: whether it be opening up your home, offering a ride to an event, or connecting folks to one another. 

Let’s be community--looking out or one another with care and imagination. 

I’ll leave us with this pray I have for our community: 

For the lonely, would you feel the deep warmth of love of God in this season. I hope you find it through one unexpected gathering. Stay open, ask for help. You are not alone. You are deeply loved. 

For those with capacity, would you experience the love of God through warmly welcoming someone. Ask God for eyes to see those longing for connection. Take a brave step to gather folks. People are hurting, stay close to that pain. 

- Dottie Oleson