Read an article from the New Faith Communities latest newsletter. This fourth edition highlighted our history and outreach.
Community Inspires Consistency
By Jamie Thompson
I’m glad y’all are doing this too. No really, it makes a difference. Daily practices of common prayer and a weekly rhythm of fasting are disciplines that I have both dabbled in and observed with steadfastness, depending on the season. I’ve had my moments, no doubt. Longer periods of faithfulness, but all in all, I’m a fairly spotty person when it comes to spiritual discipline.
This is different though- we’re in this together now. Our covenant community, trying to live a common rule of life, seeking to grow in our faith and become more like Christ, it gives me belonging and inspiration that I would not have if I were on this journey alone.
Interestingly enough, the establishment of the New Room Society has coincided with a different kind of training I am in the throes of right now. A group of friends and I are preparing for a Spartan Super run at the end of the month. This particular race is a ten mile run with about twenty-five obstacles interspersed throughout the course. For the most part, we are training individually, but we will run the course together and help each other along the way.
Some days, the training is fantastic and fun, and other days it’s hard. I had a particularly awful nine-mile run last week, and I wanted to give up before I had finished. I was dehydrated. It was hotter than I had anticipated. I was a long way from home, and my body said, “Quit.” My mind and my heart said, “Nope. Keep going. Remember. . . Laura, Jason, Matt, and Ryan. They’re not physically here, but they are on this road with you.” It was an ugly nine miles, but it was nine miles. I got it done.
We are not usually physically in the same space, but I’m out here in Aulander working on it y’all, and I know you’re doing the same. I’m carving out space in the morning to read, sit in silence, journal, reflect, pay attention. I’m typing these words on a fast day while my tummy growls. I’m pretty hungry, and I want to eat something. Last Thursday, I forgot to fast. Today I’m holding off so that I can sit in the sunshine, watch the wind, hear the birds, see the leaves start to fall, and somehow, come into God’s presence.
It’s fits and starts for me. Sometimes, often times, it’s an ugly nine miles. But I’m on the road. Home is closer than it was. When it gets lonely, I think of you and remember- this time I’m not alone.
To learn more about the New Room Society covenant and daily practices, visit https://nccumc.org/newfaithcommunities/