“Now Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Woman, you are set free from your ailment.” When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. “

–Luke 13.10-13

• What holds you back as you get ready to start a new school year?
• What would being free mean to you?
• Do you see the Church as a place you can belong?
• What would Jesus tell you that would help you feel a full part of the community?

Part of the challenge of college life is finding a place where you can fit it, belong, be yourself, and meet people.  At its best that’s what the church is, a place where anyone can find a community of people to support and who support them.  It’s why community matters so much to us, and why we’re continually on the lookout for a place to go.  We want to connect our lives to something more than just ourselves, and grow into the fullness of who we can be…if we’re just given a chance and a little help.  Jesus gives the woman the healing she needs to fully participate in the community she already has and it’s a community which meets her need to connect with God.  If you’re looking to connect your life with the life God invites you into then I hope to see you Sunday at 6pm at Trinity Commons for Eucharist and a free supper after the service.  We’re back for a new school year and we hope you’ll make the community a better place by being here too so we can all praise God and stand up straight.