The Tree of Community: Trauma and Life

Plant, tend, uncover, reveal, and water in the ways that make things grow.

Why should we pay attention to hurt and dig into the roots of hope and life? Science tells us that experiences of pain and adversity get into our bodies and brains and feed chronic disease, addiction, and mental illness. Similarly, a corporate body like a congregation may experience hurt or stress. The disease oozes out in show-downs about the use of the kitchen, members leaving or checking out, or coalitions spatting about which hymnbook to use. The congregational body just doesn’t feel good and can’t thrive. But the diagnosis can’t stop there. We know that love, friendship, human connection and caring also shape our brains and bodies and promote healing—as individuals, families, congregations and communities. These forces are equally powerful in influencing well-being. What we pay attention to grows. As congregations of faith, hope and life, it’s our calling to grow the good!

Maybe

By Gary Gunderson

Some say that For every drop of rain that falls A flower grows. But nobody who has ever grown a flower Fingers in soil Noticing sand where loam should be; Noticing rocks and trash instead of worms.

Nobody who has stood cold and alone In drenching windblown mist Every drop A face, name, bruise, blow, slight, insult Silence a deep cold pond. A single word would have helped.

Maybe for every word a flower grows. But not the careless ones offered without eye contact or Even better An ear quieted by a common heart.

Flowers are not for careless metaphor. The bloom is not the point, except a signal to those hungry for the fruit the blossom promises.

A word with a heartbeat In the cold rain of a hard time Unsheltered Together Wet But not alone.

A seed More beautiful than the blossom Even sweeter than later fruit.