Roy’s Sunday Letter for May 17, 2026
Creating and Sustaining Community
This week’s Sunday Letter has been inspired by Beth’s Delta Zeta Sorority’s magazine “The Lamp.” The current issue focuses on creating and sustaining sisterhood communities. Some readers of the Sunday Letter may participate in a local church, civic, or neighborhood association. Other readers may yet to have that experience or opportunity. I offer these thoughts from what I got right and got wrong about communities.
1. Is the mission and purpose of your community clear and updated as needed? In the future there may be a need to change wording as you add new members or sercices.
2. Most communities have a local focus and membership. We found it beneficial at Hope and Healing Place to join state and national organizations with similar mission and purpose. Sometimes there can be funding or marketing efforts that may help locally with funding and recognition.
3. Bring everyone to the table. Train and mentor members to take on new leadership roles or involvement in program services. The more members at the table the more everyone feels a part of the organization.
4. Recognize the Heroes and Celebrate the successes of your community, both small and large. These Heroes and these Celebrations are the history of young and longer-serving communities. I have witnessed boards who have a Historian as a board position.
5. Local committees are a place where everyone can be included, no one left out. All belong.
If joining a church, civic, or neighborhood group has not been your experience, I hope now you will consider doing so. You will be part of making your local community a better place for all.
Roy, not alone in community
Good morning .
It is good to serve others, however that takes place. I’ve developed a pattern of establishing more one on one situations to provide help and support. Solo or in a group serving others is the key and very rewarding.
Thanks for the letter Roy. Happy Sunday to all. md
Yes, establishing helper and helping structures is so important for today and tomorrows to come.
I feel like the older we become the more isolated our lives are. We don’t have as much energy, and health issues take precedence over social activities. The Closet a ministry ar University Christian Church gives me the opportunity to socialize with a wonderful group of like minded people and gives me a reason to leave my home and venture out . Church has been a part of my life since I was a child and I am grateful for the stimulation. It’s imperative to find some sort of outlet that forces you to move on with life.
Friend Maurine…..not all has to be an action. You bring Wisdom to other helpers and those served by University Christian. Your legacy means so much today and will be tomolrrow..
So, graditude and thankfulness your way, aleways.
My favorite word in this Sunday Letter is “celebrate.” Many groups of my acquaintance tread dutifully along, sticking to their strategic plan, attending “bored” meetings. Failing to take delight in the other members of their group, their individuality, their stories, their eccentricities. Not experiencing joy at the benefits their actions and services provide, joy at meeting others’ needs. Celebrate your community with joy! Celebrate your unique self with joy.
Yes to all comments
In addition to agenda, I wanted the meeting to have Joy, meaning of lives changed, made better.
Celebrate Goodness….
The Arlington Heights Neighborhood Association brings neighbors together for fellowship and leadership for the goal for a more healthy community. Neighbors have bonded together and gathered other supporters and allies to accomplish successes that would otherwise not have been brought to reality for the health of the community.
Good to know
& thanks for including our weekly friend Maureen