It was so interesting for me to see the movie To Kill a Mockingbird during my recent visit to Alabama. As you know, this movie (starring the amazing Gregory Peck) is based on the book by Harper Lee.
Harper Lee grew up in a Methodist household in the small town of Monroeville, Alabama. Everyone in southern Alabama knew of Harper Lee. Her book was, at the time, a progressive work published in the midst of the Civil Rights Movement. After she wrote her book, Harper lived in New York City and was said to be more of a recluse. She sought to live more anonymously.
However, in her later years, Harper spent more time in Monroeville and then finally moved back to that small town. There, I understand she found a community that was accepting and supportive of her work and her beliefs. There she found her community to be helpful, loving, and protective of her celebrity. Harper sought and found connection with others.
Perhaps she found the paradox of community that the author Parker Palmer writes of: "our need for solitude and our need for each other, each creating and deepening the other."
As a contrast, Harper's sister, Alice Lee, stayed in Monroeville. She was a lawyer when not so many women were lawyers, and she was also very active in both her Monroeville church and the South Alabama conference of Methodist churches. Because of her continued engagement in and commitment to this church community, it seemed like everyone in southern Alabama knew Alice Lee and knew that she supported justice and missions as best she could. She was a positive role model for young girls like me growing up in Alabama. I am glad that I was a part of her extended community.
Should we live together and encourage one another? Should we grow together and be accountable with one another? Should we, together, discern actions we could take to transform our world? Should we worship together and be brought closer together as God's responsive people?
Absolutely. Yes. But how best to do this? How should we live together? This question is the worship theme this Sunday. This Sunday's "partner-in-preaching," Kim Jones, and I look forward to worshipping with you.
Blessings,