Having a sense of belonging is very important to most of us. Feeling lonely, isolated and disconnected from others can lead to mental health issues.
When we feel we have support and are not alone, it is much easier to deal with life’s inevitable problems. Having friends, a friendly neighbour and being part of a wider community gives everyone a sense of security.
It also gives life a sense of fun.
Throughout the centuries the Christian Church has provided many with a sense of identity and community.
Jesus told us not only to love God but to love or treat our neighbours as ourselves.
Helping other people either informally or through the activity of a church or charity is a highly effective way to connect with other people.
Helping others usually means we forget our own troubles and as a bonus we often enjoy a psychological uplift or a feelgood experience.
Most churches encourage newcomers to join a team undertaking various jobs in the church like serving the coffee or moving chairs.
That’s not just to get those tasks done, but because working in a team is an easy way to get to know people and enjoy some of the benefits that belonging to a church brings.
Our town is blessed with many welcoming and friendly churches.
Roger Howard is a member of Kings Church Wokingham, www.kingschurch.org.uk, writing of behalf of Churches Together in Wokingham
