Page 8 - News On 7 May 2022 Edition

SMALL COMMUNITY LIVING - DOING LIFE TOGETHER
BY REV. TRACY B RICHARDS
“This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. If one part suffers, all
the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. All of you together are Christ’s body, and
each of you is a part of it.” 1 Corinthians 12:25-27

When I think back to my childhood, I have to say that it was pretty unconventional. Growing up as an only child in the 60’s &
70’s in a big city, we lived in a downtown apartment, my parents both entrepreneurs, working full time and irregular hours.
My mom was the founder of Toronto’s first professional matchmaking service and my dad was the owner/operator of one of
the most upscale restaurants in Canada at the time. It was an exciting environment to grow up in but also challenging in
many ways, and part of me always wondered what it would be like to live in a traditional house with brothers and sisters or in
a smaller community in a “regular” neighbourhood where everybody knew each other by name.

In my fantasy neghbourhood, I imagined the people would be friendly and kind. Neighbours would be welcome to stop by
unannounced for tea or coffee or to help fold laundry and nobody was in such a rush that they couldn’t take a few minutes to
chat and catch up. If you had a vacation planned, they would collect your mail and would watch over your house while you
were gone. They would greet you with a smile when they saw you and would genuinely ask, "How was your day?" If you
needed advice about a recipe or gardening or building a shed, they would be happy to share their experience and offer
support. Ultimately, they made you feel safe, supported and cared for. You were not alone.

After having lived in Madoc for almost a year now, I am happy to say that this has been my experience so far. I have enjoyed
becoming more acquainted with many of you through the Chamber of Commerce, BIT and various community events and I’m
grateful for the encouragement I have received as I carry out my plans to transition my business/ministry from the GTA into
Madoc village/township and put down roots in this community.

Admittedly, during my previous 59 years living in a big city, it just felt “nornal” to do life alone - to figure out my day-to-day
challenges independently with little inclination to reach out to people in my neighbourhood. But I’ve noticed that it actually
takes courage to become part of a small community and, in order to reap the benefits, it requires us to step out in faith. This
is one of the reasons God calls us to ‘be there’ and ‘do for’ each other - to help each other feel safe and supported in our
community - because His desire is to see us love one another and do life together--the good, the bad and the ugly.

But the reality is that we cannot support one another if our own foundation isn’t strong.

Living through my first winter here in Madoc, with my son (Ryan) away in Michigan and without an in-person weekly church
service to attend, I noticed that it can be all-too-easy to slide back into my default of keeping busy alone and forgetting to
stay connected. When that happens, I tend to withdraw, which leads me to underestimate my value to others. Therefore, if I
had not priortized my time with God - through spending time in His word, in praise, worship and prayer - I think it could
have become a very slippery slope. As comforting as anonymity may feel at times, it is not how God designed us.

Thankfully, now that Ryan has returned, we are looking forward to becoming more involved, visiting more of the businesses
and congregations here in the area and meeting more of our neighbours!

We are very grateful for this community. Thank you for being so welcoming to us :)