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Dig Into Big Ideas at Commons

Catching Up With Yelena

Yelena is back from her maternity leave (yay!). We're delighted to have her back, serving the community in pastoral relationships and focusing on short-term and long-term groups.

We sat down for a catch-up conversation to find out about family life and to hear her thoughts about groups at Commons.

What has it been like becoming a family of three?

Denis and I will be celebrating our 10th anniversary this month. For different reasons, we only recently arrived at the point where we could start imagining ourselves as a family of three. And I am still wrapping my head around the gift of it all. Having a baby was probably the most primal and physical thing I've ever done, but it was also a profoundly spiritual experience.

What is one big takeaway from your first year of parenthood?

Change is here to stay. I feel like nothing trains you to accept change, adapt to it and even thrive in it better than adding a baby into a balanced life of two adults in their mid to late 30s. The curtailing of freedom is instant, but you also learn that change is not always about stress; there's so much joy in it, and joy is what stays.

What was church and community like for you in the last year?

We could not have done it without our church community. Our small group and my colleagues brought meals. Community members checked in on us, made blankets for Slava, sent cards, and went on walks with me. And even though we could not attend the services regularly last year, we never stopped feeling like we were part of the church family. We very much felt like we were ministered to and were beyond grateful to receive all the grace extended to us.

How do you think the disruption of pandemic/post-pandemic life has changed the experience of community in church?

The pandemic disrupted the ways we practiced and lived in community. And as a result, we have all developed new rhythms, and it will take us some time to synchronize our individual rhythms with the rhythm of the community we're all co-creating. The good thing that came out of the pandemic is that our forms of connection got upended. For instance, small group meetings had to be either dropped or re-envisioned during the pandemic to retain their meaning. And now, I think we have a chance to ask ourselves, "What makes a community event or gathering or a church service meaningful for me, and how can I contribute to creating meaning?"

Looking at the long-term and short-term groups in 2023, what are some of your hopes and dreams?

I've always liked the language of "community as possibility." We do not find community ready-made and waiting for us; we bring the possibility of creating community with us whenever we step into a room of people. So, I hope people will lean into that possibility in whatever way they feel comfortable.

It could look like joining a short-term group to have conversation partners for a few weeks, or signing up to attend an event, or hosting or attending a dinner to connect with others over a meal. It could also look like starting a new short or long-term group and inviting others into a conversation, a common interest, or to play sports or board games.

Groups can take so many forms, so I invite you to keep making that possibility of community a reality for yourself and others. Check out our events, groups, and dinners pages on commons.church "Next Steps," and do not hesitate to contact me with your ideas or questions. I want to hear them.

We all make Commons what it is together.

Want to pick up the conversation with Yelena about short-term or long-term groups?

Explore ways to connect with others through Commons Groups.

Keep an eye out for upcoming short-term groups and dinners at Commons Events.