Creating Community

JULIETTE WOODS

RETURN TO REVERENCE

“He who cannot howl will not find his pack,” is my favourite line by Charles Simic. Finding our people, cultivating friendships, and feeling a true sense of community, can be elusive at the best of times.

Toss in barriers like transportation struggles, physical limitations, social discomfort, financial restrictions, let alone discontinued or paused public gatherings, and we might go long periods without the comfort, inspiration, and companionship of good company.

Difficulty making friends as an adult is joked about, youth today speak of challenges connecting in-person as opposed to online, and even introverts need periodic interaction. I’ve been noticing ways folks are finding each other, howling for their pack if you will, and navigating their way to new connections.

Knowing our own interests helps greatly for finding groups or clubs with like-minded members. There’s truly a surprising array and many will host exhibitions, open houses, classes, or talks as a soft way of introduction. Everything from amateur radio enthusiasts to mushroom foragers, aviation aficionados to the 4H club, even life drawing, language learning, or informal improv. Read event listings, peruse library posters, search the internet, or watch for pop up road signs; chances are there is a group with common interests welcoming the curious, the new, or experienced members.

One might think in a small isolated town like ours that it would be easy to meet people and know everyone, reminiscent of feel-good scenarios like Northern Exposure or All Creatures Great and Small Alas, this is often not the case. Some have spent decades here without forming friendships, others came during lockdown, returning residents sometimes find old friendships aren’t rekindled.

Initiated by just one person, local women have begun meeting Mondays at coffee shops as a direct remedy. Their only goal is to foster connection.

It might come through volunteering at a niche event like the Momento Mori Festival, entering a pie in the Fall Fair, or offering a workshop on something we ourselves enjoy.

My husband and I attended a special screening with a cult following at the Patricia. The atmosphere was delightfully quirky, some came in costume, and there was an air of familiarity much greater than at a typical movie, even among those who didn’t know each other. It made me think of how community might come unexpectedly or is created through unusual means.

Just yesterday I reached out on Facebook looking for fleece to process and spin, now I get to meet not only local farmers, but make sheep friends too.

Juliette Jarvis offers sacred living programs online, devotional arts, and divination sessions. Find her at www. SelkieSanctuary.com and www.3FoldBalance.com