Juliana, Summer 2023 Intern
A common struggle for homeschoolers is finding a supportive community in which to thrive. This is especially true if you attend a small parish or are a part of a church community with few homeschoolers. It is easy to feel alone and cut off from society, but that does not mean one must despair.
The desire for independence also increases as we become teens. Whether conscious of this or not, we want to stretch ourselves and practice all of the beautiful treasures our parents have passed down to us. This is good and natural. So how can we do this when we feel limited in the number of people we are surrounded by or too shy to approach those in our presence?
While the task may seem daunting, know that our church offers us so many ways to find and embrace community, of which I’ll share a few.
Embrace the Church’s Model of Community
Modern society offers a boxed-in representation of what community ought to be. But this is not the way we were created to commune. Seek the church’s guidance of community instead. Parishioners are rightly called your parish family. Rather than seeking solely those who are your age, consider befriending all your fellow parishioners as your aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings, and grandparents.
Join a Committee or Ministry Group
Consider joining a committee or ministry group in your parish. One of the easiest ways to connect with others is to work together. It relieves the pressure of inventing something to say. It also offers opportunities to meet new people while spreading Christ’s love to others while doing His work. Those who experience toil and hardship together develop stronger bonds and laboring in this way is so good for the soul.
Embrace the Little Ones
Parenting is a huge task, so know that the parents of little ones will appreciate the opportunity to interact with other members of the parish. And if you haven’t already noticed, conversations with little ones can be quite entertaining and spontaneous. Don’t limit your interactions to Sundays either. Consider sending notes in the mail to the young members of your parish: it will enrich your coffee hour conversations by giving you more to talk about, and it will deepen the little ones’ sense of belonging—truly a beautiful treasure to offer to our youngest generation.
Remember Your Elders
Don’t forget the older members of your church community as well. They have passed on many treasures to us, and still have so much to teach us. Consider pulling up a chair and bringing a chess board. Not only will you brighten their day, but you’d also be surprised by the knowledge they pass on. These experienced parishioners also tend to have much knowledge in the art of handiwork, which is beneficial to our spiritual growth. If you have trouble with your garden, recipes, or woodwork, you may find all your questions answered by simply remembering and communicating with your elders.
Attend an Event or Conference
Let us not forget Saint Emmelia Ministries. You will find a welcoming community of other Orthodox homeschoolers. When you have the chance, attend one of the online or in-person gatherings. There are many teens just like you looking for community and attending these events. You may even discover that there are other homeschoolers living in proximity to you. You never know who your neighbor may be and what kind of friendship you may be missing.
As you seek to embrace the community that God has planted you in, remember that you are not alone. Christ is everywhere present and with us. May God bless you on your path as you embrace each one in your community as icons of Christ for His glory.
What other ways can we seek, embrace, and create community?