The peace lily in my office was a gift. As I was handed the plant, I was less than thrilled, especially considering my track record in keeping plants alive. But it’s been a great plant and peace lilies are easy. They tell you when they need water; they move toward the light.  

About a month ago, I noticed dark brown water running out of the pot. Soon, all the leaves started to droop and turn yellow. So, I repotted it. Now I am in the process of nurturing it again. I’m giving it extra care and consideration. The soil is fresh and healthy, the pot is bigger, there’s sunlight, and I’m giving it just the right amount of water. It still looks a bit peaked, but with time, I hope it comes back around.  

There are several factors needed for healthy, growing plants. And it’s the same with churches, too. What makes for a healthy, growing church? Just like my peace lily, a church needs attention, patience, and a nurturing environment to thrive. A church community flourishes when its members are nurtured with love, guidance, and spiritual nourishment.  

Both a peace lily and a church require balance. Too much or too little of anything can stunt growth. I have learned that a peace lily thrives best in an environment where it can spread its roots and flourish, just as a church needs a foundation of faith, support, and space for its members to grow in their relationship with God and with each other.  

Both teach us the importance of tending to the needs of the community — whether plant or congregation — so that growth can be sustained and beauty can emerge.  

In the Second Chapter of Acts, the writer describes how the Early Church devoted themselves to the apostles and their teachings. The Early Church also participated in fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer. A checklist, if you will.  Seems easy enough. If you do these things, you are presented with a model of what a faith community can look like. A strong faith community.  

How do you devote yourself to the apostles and their teachings? Do you worship regularly? What does that look like for you? Are you sitting in a pew somewhere or enjoy a long reflective walk in the woods?

How do you participate in fellowship? Is your congregation a close community? Is the community of Monroe tight-knit and fully welcoming? Is your faith rooted in action? If we are devoting ourselves to the apostles and their teachings, that means we should be hitting the road and sharing the gospel. What does that look like for you? Do you extend invitations to your neighbors? The point about fellowship is that you’re involved with the community and an active part of it.  

What does breaking bread look like? Is everyone invited, or only the ones who think like you? Invite the widow, widower, and single person over for a meal. Head to the food pantry or help out with Loaves and Fishes community meal and break bread in that way.  

For prayer, maybe you deepen your prayer practices and pray for your neighbor? Maybe your prayer looks like dropping a card in the mail or weeding a friend’s garden.  

There’s always room for personal growth and nurturing others. There’s always room for stepping into a faith community that truly cares. The Early Church was on to something. May we continue to build, cultivate, and nurture a loving and strong community.

— Reflections appears regularly on the religion page. The column features a variety of local writers, coordinated through the Monroe Area Clergy Group. Rev. Christina Schoenwetter is the Associate Pastor of Engagement at St. John’s United Church of Christ in Monroe.