September 2010
SHAHEENUPDATE com∙mu∙ni∙ty ‐ [kuh‐myoo‐ni‐tee] a group sharing common This update is for you who, we have found, really care for us. Some of you we may have met once, others, we have known our entire lifetime. We understand that we could just as easily use facebook, twitter, or email to write you individually. However, we want to offer a more personal touch in updating you about how our lives together, by the will of God, are
characteris0cs or interests and perceived or perceiving itself as dis0nct in some respect from the larger society within which it exists. 2) a joint possession that is enjoyable.
by Amanda Shaheen
progressing.
Community. And no, for those of you wondering if I am talking about the new NBC Sitcom. But I will say that NBC must know what it is doing because all of its greatest shows have revolved around this concept of community. With all the fall television season premiers in the last few weeks...I’ve got tv shows on the brain, but for good reason. Let’s look at two of NBC’s biggest hits. To start, The Biggest Loser isn’t just about one person losing a bunch of weight, but a community of people banding together for a common goal, to get fit and healthy. There wouldn’t be as much pull towards watching the show if it just tracked the life of one person. We get drawn in to watching how the teams come together, for a common purpose and goal. No longer are they contestants but a community. Take a step away from reality television, and look at one of NBC’s greatest dramas, ER. (Perhaps one of the greatest shows of all time in my books!) What did we like most about the
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show. I doubt it was the blood or medical jargon that came with each episode. It was the group of doctors and nurses that made up County General. We felt apart of their community each Thursday night when the ER came alive. Television shows aside, the concept of community has become ever so prevalent in Jiryis and I’s life over the last month. September has been such a blessing to us, as we have watched our community grow all around us. Summer was crazy and hectic as we transitioned into life here in St. Charles. As I got to thinking about the term “community” I figured that I should probably see how Mr. Webster himself defined this word. I was fascinated to see how it is described, and fell in love with the two definitions listed above. I believe they truly exemplify the heart of our community. We share a joint possession. As Christians in the body of Christ, I find this resonates. We share God’s gift of forgiveness and grace. We are a community of believers all over the
world. I found this to be ever more real to me this past month, as I was able to baptize a friend of mine, Tuya. She was visiting America, from her home in East Mongolia, and God captivated her heart. She wanted to be baptized before returning home to Mongolia. We shared much laughter and memories during her time here, but now we share something even greater within the body of Christ!