Friendship
Scripture calls us to enter into community with one another.
This season, we live more fully into that calling by prioritizing deep, meaningful friendships with those in our midst. Each week, we'll share a new reflection in our Friendship Corner in the Friday email and Sunday bulletin. Each verse of Scripture will be followed by a reflection from a fellow church member, and a call to action you might engage with during the week.
We invite you to join us in this Holy calling to be together in Christ with one another.
Click any of the gray bars below to read that week's Scripture and reflection.
Dec 1 | Friendship Commission
This Week's Scripture
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7, NIV)
Reflection
From the Friendship Commission of the Vestry: Elizabeth Cox, Jonathan Morphett, Breck Wheeler, and Laura Wright
1 John 1:7 reminds us that our relationships, especially friendships, are profoundly enriched when we pursue a life rooted in God’s light. Walking in the light together means choosing to live with honesty, love, and integrity—qualities that deepen our friendships and our faith. This verse reminds us that when we live this way, we’re connecting with God and with each other in ways that bring lasting value and meaning to our friendships.
To build these kinds of friendships, let’s make time for purposeful connections. Whether through coffee dates, lunches, walks, a round of golf, or small group gatherings, intentional time together allows us to listen deeply, share openly, and encourage one another. When we prioritize time together, we create a place for God’s light to shine in our friendships, making room for real conversations about our dreams, challenges, and even areas we’re struggling. None of us has to pretend to have it all together, because Jesus’s love purifies us and reminds us that we are accepted just as we are. This openness creates a friendship built on grace, where we can uplift one another and grow closer to God.
Our friendships can also be a place of gentle accountability, helping each other grow in faith and character. Let’s make a habit of checking in on each other’s goals—spiritual, personal, and even professional—and encouraging each other to stay true to who God calls us to be. We can set up regular “accountability coffee dates” or times to pray together, not out of judgment but out of a genuine desire to see each other thrive. This kind of intentional encouragement makes our friendships sources of strength and helps each of us grow in areas where we may feel weak or uncertain.
Walking in the light together also means being there for each other during both highs and lows. Our friendships become a refuge, a place to share burdens and celebrate victories. Let’s plan to be present in each other’s lives in tangible ways—showing up for big moments, supporting each other through tough seasons, and celebrating wins together. These gestures remind us of God’s love, helping us feel seen and supported even in the challenges.
Ultimately, our friendships become living examples of what it means to walk in God’s light. By sharing time, accountability, and encouragement, we reflect God’s love and grow closer to Him together. As we continue to meet, pray, and support one another, our friendships become more than bonds—they become journeys of faith that enrich our lives and strengthen our walk with God. Let’s commit to nurturing our friendships intentionally, making them sources of joy, growth, and light in each other’s lives.
Call to Action
How can you create intentional time with your friends this week to deepen your connection through Christ? Consider planning a coffee date, lunch, walk, or sporting event where you can openly share, encourage, and pray for each other.
Do you have a servant’s heart? If so, consider inviting someone to volunteer with you in the church or community this week.