The cobblestone streets surrounding the piazza are filled with every kind of person you can imagine. Teenagers gather at the fountain, while a well-dressed businessman aggressively negotiates a deal using exaggerated hand gestures even though he's talking on a cell phone. Sturdy, middle-aged, Italian mommas roar at young men who scramble to pack up musical instruments and scurry home with momma close behind. Kids scamper to catch soap bubbles from a nearby entertainer. Throughout the square, people are engaging in rowdy laughter, excited screams, loud exchanges, quiet whispers, and soft, kind touches of affection.
This scene played out every night in a million different ways as I walked the streets of Trastevere where I was located the past six weeks for work. In the faces of these beautiful Italians, I saw my friends of "The Community." It was a reminder that our church is not just a location. You and I, together we form what we call church, just as we form community.
And our community is changing. You've seen the roads of Ada torn up and you've had travel routes redirected. Ada is being reimagined and redeveloped to better fit the needs of community (click here to see the plan).
As Ada Township finishes construction of Headley Street, we (The Community Church) are embracing the opportunity to re-envision how we engage the community too. It's exciting and also, a bit scary. The good news is, we've been heading in this direction for nearly ten years (some would argue, even longer!). We've heard the membership's desire to create a dynamic, interactive space for people to gather, play, talk, and form deeper relationships. We've heard you say you want to be a visible, relevant source of life for the people of Ada (and beyond!). We've heard the call to become a hub for faithful conversation, involving people from the country and world.