A Virtual Church

A beautiful day indeed

Yesterday

Fred Rogers is remembered for being the fatherly figure on PBS encouraging the best of children and parents to live in neighborly ways that create a productive and happy life. Our lived experience proves that neighborhood still functions as a joyful gathering place for a Sunday afternoon.

Neighbors recently brought lawn chairs and spent two hours laughing, catching up and eating. It was a great community building event.

When we sold the two-story house in which our children grew up, we bought a smaller one-story house on a small lot. In the big house, the lots were large and the houses far apart. What we gained is more valuable than what we lost.

We now live in a neighborhood teeming with young families who have small children. The children giggle and play. They ride bikes and tiny scooters up and down the sidewalk. Sometimes they ride up our driveway. They are so delightful!  It’s fun watching them grow up.

Tom and I deliberately chose a house in a neighborhood where people would know each other and help each other in times of need. We speak to each other warmly and know the names of each other’s dogs.

We are living the best of Americana.

A few cars have been broken into. Menacing behavior of strangers who trespass, steal yard signs and move garbage cans around are about the only trouble.

Reading the news, it’s evident violence is around us everywhere. Ugly rhetoric and bullying are rippling through our country and it’s coming from the top.

Before Donald Trump, civility was mainstream. I never considered that first amendment rights would include threats and belittlement. Everything Trump says on his Truth Social is ugly and uncalled for.

I think he, at the least, is a spoiled jerk who uses money to throw his weight around. People glom onto him thinking they will somehow benefit. Sucking up to a narcissist never works. If everything doesn’t revolve around the fearless leader, he pouts and stomps around like a stuck pig.

I have often thought Donald did not grow up in a loving home. He was treated like a little prince, and likely never got dirty playing with the kids in his neighborhood. Seems that he was always isolated.

The age of screens and reels and social media of all kinds have separated and isolated us. Screen time does not build community. It can actually harm young people.

Our resistance is building community. There is bonding in a righteous cause. The resistance is working. Democrats are winning mid-term elections, and the winning will continue. The war Trump started with Iran assures that Democrats are a better choice.

This time will pass. Trump has done damage to our global reputation. Prices are rising. Inflation is upon us.

People are hungry for goodness and decency to return. The damage already done will take time to repair.

A neighborhood gathering reminds us that we are still one nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all. A little barbecue in a Cul de sac is a good place to start. Thank you, neighbors.

Lib Campbell is a retired Methodist pastor, retreat leader, columnist and host of the blogsite www.avirtualchurch.com. She can be contacted at libcam05@gmail.com 

 

 

 

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