Connected: Circles> Rows

As part of our Connected series, Joe will lead a reflection this week, on a simple but powerful idea: circles are often more life-giving than rows. In a season when many of us are longing for connection, belonging, and being seen, we’ll explore how community becomes stronger when we face one another and make space for real relationship.

Coming soon… Watch the gathering here

Reading

bell hooks, “Belonging: A Culture of Place”

“Belonging is a fundamental human need, and the absence of belonging creates a profound and often hidden wound. Communities become strong when they offer people a sense of place — not simply geographical place but a place in one another’s lives. A strong community is one where we can return again and again, knowing that our presence matters. It is a place where we learn that connection is not accidental but must be cultivated with intention and care. When people choose to nurture belonging, they create spaces in which healing, creativity, and justice can flourish. Community then becomes not just a gathering of individuals but a living expression of our shared longing to be seen, known, and valued.”