Fellowship & Fun

Fellowship isn’t just for church-goers. 

To me, fellowship means having a group that understands you and follows a similar lifestyle and value system to yours.

I am restricted in my ability to find this. Not being able to attend in-person events makes finding and being a part of a community really difficult.

Discovering My Online Community

I’ve spent a lot of time in online special interest chat groups during my life. They kept me sustained as a single mother and a writer because it was an outlet I could easily access from home. I didn’t need to pack up the kids and go somewhere or get a babysitter so I could leave the house.

Many of those chat groups I used to be a part of have faded away as technology has shifted. But discovering Patreon has opened up a whole new world and is an incredible place for finding fellowship.

An artist I follow named Lena does a monthly hang with their fans, family and friends and I got to attend one back in December. I spent 30 minutes hanging out with someone whose art and messaging I really admire. How cool is that? I even won a piece of their art! Check them out @BoPoLena on Instagram or join their Patreon here.

More folks need to realize that this way of connecting is valid. For some, it’s the only way to find fellowship. It frustrates me when this kind of community is brushed off because we tend to think of being online as something that isn’t real or genuine. 

As someone who has been in chat groups through the years, I can tell you that the love and support I’ve received online is very real. The people are real and the things we talk about and support each other through are real. I’m really grateful for it.

I’ve started building my own Patreon account and will be seeking more of that fellowship with others online moving forward.

Fellowship is important. People need to know that they belong somewhere. You aren’t alone, and I’m not either.