By Jackson Procise, ’24

Of all job titles I have held, “Just Peace Intern at First Congregational Church” is undoubtedly the most unique and ambiguous. The name comes from First Congregational Church’s designation as a “Just Peace” church, which is one that congregations within the United Church of Christ denomination can attain.

In essence, to be a Just Peace church means that a congregation is absolutely committed to advancing causes of peace and justice in the world. This mission seems ambiguous and vague at times. However, it is undoubtedly a noble one.

Since First Congregational is a mission-driven church, it spends much time and energy focused on advancing various causes and supporting others in the community. For example, the congregation spends the better part of one Sunday service each year writing letters to lawmakers to advocate for hunger justice and greater food assistance programs. As I began my internship, I imagined that my primary focus would be engaging in causes such as these, which are external to the church.

However, this was not the case. I found that First Congregational Church is also a place that, internally, cares deeply about curiosity and learning, engaging in meaningful conversations about history and issues of the day, and building relationships within its own close-knit community. So, I found myself more closely involved with internal aspects of the church.

The main focus of my internship became studying belonging in the church, although this was not my first-time studying belonging. Sense of belonging is cultivated among individuals within a community, but it is a distinctly individual concept. To belong, an individual human generally must hold relatively strong feelings that they are accepted, respected, included, and able to meaningfully contribute within a community (Walton & Brady, 2017).

At First Congregational, I observed that belonging is not derived from doing or thinking the same things as everybody else. Rather, these things are achievable because those connected with the church are able to have an open and respectful dialogue with one another, even in the midst of disagreement. Even when a difference in views exists, respect and acceptance still remain.

Furthermore, the small size of the church and open-mindedness among its people (among other factors) allows it to be a place where people within the community are able to connect with others and contribute their gifts in meaningful ways. Ultimately, what I observed at First Congregational Church reflects the foundations of meaningful community and connections with others – things that all human beings so desperately need.

As I embark on new journeys in this life, I will remember First Congregational Church. I won’t remember it as much for its bold theological or ideological views; rather, I will remember it for being a place to cultivate inner peace and sense of belonging. These are things that our contemporary society, entrenched in culture wars and disconnected by an isolation epidemic fueled by electronic screens and an unbalanced work-life culture, would do well to remember.

 References:

Walton, G., & Brady, S. T. (2017). The Many Questions of Belonging. In Handbook of competence and motivation: Theory and application (2nd ed., p. 272). Guilford Publications.