Longing to Belong

By Rev. Beth Long-Higgins, VP of Engagement and director of the Center for Abundant Aging  •  March 05, 2026

At various points in my life, I have felt that I didn’t belong. Usually these were times following transitions of moving to a new place. And the feeling of not belonging is often related to the feeling that the people around me saw me as someone or something that I was not. Whether they assigned preconceived notions about my person or lumped me into a group that was not to the acceptable standards of the thinking of their peers, the feeling of not belonging is never pleasant.

Recent Blog Posts

The Light of the World

By Rev. Beth Long-Higgins, VP of Engagement and director of the Center for Abundant Aging  •  January 02, 2020

I am the light of the world! You people come and follow me! If you follow and love, you’ll learn the mystery of what you were meant to do and be.

The Candles of Christmas

By Rev. Beth Long-Higgins, VP of Engagement and director of the Center for Abundant Aging  •  December 25, 2019

Merry Christmas! I offer words from Howard Thurman as a gift for you this day. Words written almost half a century ago. Yet they are helpful for us as we live in this..

Advent Series – Love

By Rev. Beth Rodenhouse  •  December 19, 2019

Barren Little did I know how difficult it would be to have children. After years of trying, my husband and I sought a fertility specialist who helped us finally get..

Advent Series – Peace

By Rev. Rebecca S. King  •  December 12, 2019

Got Peace? What Brings Older Adults Peace — A Conversation Peace. Throughout the Advent season, as our journey brings us closer to Christmas Eve, many Christian churches..

Advent Series – Hope

By Rev. Ruth D. Fitzgerald  •  December 05, 2019

First Sunday in Advent Every year as Advent creeps up on me — how, exactly, is it the last of November already — and my heart turns to contradictory reflections.

The Sacred Ground of Hospitality

By Rev. Dr. Kenneth Daniel  •  November 28, 2019

The Wyandotte Nation 2019 Gathering I recently attended a unique, historic event in Upper Sandusky, Ohio, home to our Fairhaven Community since 1920. A United Methodist..

Thanksgiving: Shining Light and Gratitude on Communities Who Care for Their Older Adults

By Rev. Rebecca S. King  •  November 21, 2019

Love Thy Neighbor: A True Story There once was an older adult who lived alone. He was not married and never had any children. His extended family did not live close by..

Dayton Nonprofit, Marion-Based Senior Living Services Provider Earn o4a Award

By Guest Blogger  •  November 19, 2019

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Area Agencies on Aging has recognized four organizations for a unique partnership that brought the first statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual and..

Restoration of Naomi

By Rev. Beth Long-Higgins, VP of Engagement and director of the Center for Abundant Aging  •  November 14, 2019

This week, we continue the theme of “Mothers and Fathers of Faith." This person is a woman of great vision, strategy and courage. The biblical book is named to honor her..