Seamless Lives of Faith | Psalm 149:3-5

Rachel Guerra ‘25

“That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” 

It is truly a marvel that we are only four months away from our Commissioning! December to February has flown by, and this week was no different. After our New York City trip, we all felt a need to rest, but this did not stop us from having a full and adventurous week. From spending time with each other to discussing the history of religious freedom, our days were spent as all days should be—with food, cheer, friends, and dancing.

Seminar this week was enlightening. Dr. Mark David Hall impressed us all with his cumulative and extensive knowledge of religious tolerance in America. We discussed how these things can contribute to our church and daily lives, spurring on government and politics here while also working towards God’s Kingdom in the future. 

Recently, the Fellows have taken up swing dancing, an activity we avidly pursued this week. Whether it was learning line dances such as “Footloose” or the “Boot Scootin' Boogie” or the classic “Virginia Reel,” we all enjoyed each other’s company and the music immensely. After a busy work day, tired as though we may be, we all gathered in the evening to practice. Laughter rang out as we do-si-doed, swung our partners around the posts, and clapped to the beat. There were even a few flips, barrel turns, and practicing-the-worms that made their way into our evening. Time slipped by, and before we knew it, we were practically experts (albeit only at a few of the dances).

At a personal level, it is these little moments which have had a lasting impact on my memories and time in the Fellows program. The willingness of our group to spend a night simply engaging in community with each other over dancing, board games, good meals at roundtable, etc., is the greatest blessing I could have. It is difficult not to take these moments for granted, especially as we are still in the throes of this program. Yet, this week reminded me that these present moments are what create our future memories. 

Psalm 149 captures this pure joy in dancing as praise to the Lord. Whatever kind of dancing it is or however good, the Lord smiles upon this as an act of worship. The Psalmist continues that the Lord “takes delight in His people.” What more, then, could we ask for when we are engaging with the Lord in worship with a group of like minded friends? 

Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote in his book Life Together that “we pray for the big things and forget to give thanks for the ordinary, small (and yet really not small) gifts.” These nights of community with the Fellows have been my favorite aspect of our year together. My prayer going forward this week, as with all weeks, is to find comfort in our Fellows community, knowing that we all make a joyful noise unto the Lord when we are gathered in His name and in His presence - especially when we are gathered to scuff our boots and clap to the beat!