By: The Rev. Dr. William Danaher, Rector
We are living through an epidemic of loneliness. A recent (2023) report by the Surgeon General found that isolation from “social relationships, social roles, group memberships, and infrequent social interaction” poses significant health risks, such as premature death, heart disease, anxiety, depression, and dementia. Loneliness also increases polarization and exacerbates declines in community resilience, safety, and prosperity (Our Epidemic of Loneliness, 2023).
Why is this happening? Many point to technology and social media. But this is not the root cause or the best answer. The truth is that this rise in loneliness tracks with the decline in church attendance.
As sociologist Robert Putnam noted twenty-five years ago, more than half of the “associational activities” – the things we do together – are connected to religious communities. As religious communities decline, so do these connections. Twenty-five years later, we are now at a point where this decline in religious attendance has created a massive health crisis.
We have been building an Architecture of Belonging at Christ Church Cranbrook to counteract this epidemic of loneliness. Living the Christian life in community is not only a principle of faith (Hebrews 10:25) but is also good for both body and soul.
How do we build this Architecture of Belonging? Belonging at Christ Church Cranbrook is built on the following pillars:
Your generous support and your own loving engagement builds each of these pillars. In the process, you make it possible for Christ Church Cranbrook to respond to this epidemic of loneliness. Now, more than ever, Christ Church Cranbrook is making a profound difference in people’s lives.