Allow me to take a quick look at each of the congregations I have attended to see how they have met my needs at a particular time in my life.

I was born into the congregation of First Covenant Church in Youngstown, Ohio. My paternal grandparents, parents, and some cousins also attended this church. Here I was surrounded by people who cared for me and wanted to see me accept Christ as my personal Savior. My earliest memories are of Sunday School with Miss Gladys. It was in her class that I learned the stories of the Bible. This was to be the foundation for my faith. First Covenant was also where I attended VBS, was confirmed, belonged to the hi-league, and was married. Like many kids, I asked Christ into my life at summer camp. I am grateful I had a church that supported the conference camping programs.

Thank you, First Covenant, for being a nurturing congregation that gave me a sense of belonging.

During my college days and the first years of married life, I attended North Park Covenant Church in Chicago. It was here that I learned to really study the Bible and ask questions. Sunday School classes were often taught by professors and retired ministers (sound familiar?!), so the opportunities for spiritual growth were great. North Park provided my husband, John, and me with many outstanding examples of Christian marriage. This is also the congregation that welcomed our daughters, Andra and Lisa, with open arms and began teaching them about God.

Thank you, North Park Covenant, for being a teaching congregation that gave us a sense of belonging.

When John decided to pursue doctoral studies at Ohio State, we found ourselves leaving family and friends for a new home. Imagine our surprise when we arrived at midnight to find six people waiting to help us move in. They were part of our new church family at Faith Covenant Church. We only spent three years in their midst, but they continuously supported us throughout the ups and downs of graduate school.

Thank you, Faith Covenant, for being a caring congregation that gave us a sense of belonging.

Our "summer church" is Grace Covenant Church in Stambaugh, Michigan. It is where we have worshipped for the past 20 summers. It amazes me that we can find a connection to so many of the people there. We are treated like members of the church family. We are so thankful for a place to worship while away from home.

Thank you, Grace Covenant, for being a welcoming congregation that gives us a sense of belonging.

Libertyville Covenant has been our home for almost nine years now. We told our Realtor that we wanted to live as close to the church as possible. He said, "It must be some church." You should have seen his face when we admitted that we had never been inside. We knew that it was going to be our new church family before we even walked in the door. It has been here that we have been ministered to in so many ways, and we delight in our daughters’ faith journeys.

Thank you, Libertyville Covenant, for being a ministering congregation that gives us a sense of belonging.

As you have read, each church gave me a sense of belonging and met my needs at a particular time in my life. However, each church must be able to meet all of those needs at any given time. A sense of belonging is so important to people in a fractured society like ours. We all want to belong. Is Libertyville Covenant meeting this need to the people of Lake County? Are we nurturing, teaching, caring, welcoming, and ministering to the people who come in our doors? Are we providing them opportunities to feel like they belong to a family? Are we looking for way to reach people with specific needs? This is not an easy task--to reach so many people in so many situations--but it is a task worth doing.

Consider how Libertyville Covenant has given you a sense of belonging. Then, share it with others.