Relationships and Community

Our focus is connecting people to each other. A relationship is "how two things, ideas, or people are connected." Similarly, a community is a collection of relationships and is defined as "a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals." As we talk about the SaND community, we are talking about the BIG circle, earth. Our greatest vision refers to our global community and the idea that we can live in fellowship with each-other on a local to international scale.

With that said, there exists fluidity in that we each belong to many communities that overlap and change throughout life. Even within SaND, there are the storytellers, travelers, and partners that span platforms, in-person and online. Our goal is to be intentional about uncovering common ground and then exploring differences across a variety of cultural communities by taking our time with meaningful relationships. These connections are what build bridges that cross divides starting from a single relationship and then building into larger communities. We create a web that is only strengthened each time a new, meaningful, and intentional relationship is formed.

Each individual brings a perspective, gifts, and values that strengthen the whole. We are better because of what we gain from each other.  Some storytellers are especially engaging.  Some of us bring an awareness of history.  Others have talents and experiences that bring new dynamics to the community as a whole.  Each person  makes the community stronger and the individual valued.