Being good neighbours in our local communities.
Sixty members of Urban Mission Network congregations met at Bridgewater UC on 25 May
from the start, we quickly became engaged with our heads, hearts, and spirit. We were introduced to the Godly Play method: being ready, encountering the story, wondering, responding and then the generous feast!
Well known South Australian musician Leigh Newton introduced the gathering to a number of new songs. At times we felt we were singing with the angels, then the mood changed with the deep sound of a Good Friday song based on an African traditional melody, What have we done? Representatives of several congregations shared stories about their commitment to become good neighbours in their local communities. Stories included many surprising elements when simple and straight forward acts of hospitality and generosity led to creative encounters and new insights.
The story of the green shed at Victor Harbor and the electrical repairs service being offered by retired volunteers. The impact and engagement with the wider community at Sandy Creek through their bush chapel. The intergenerational experiences developing at Bridgewater through the support offered to young families and teenagers through music. The importance of social support experienced through the Op shop and community garden at Prospect Rd, working together with The Experience Cafe. The hands across the sea singing group making a passionate statement of acceptance of refugees and new arrivals. Enfield’s story about what worked and what didn’t over the years and the spontaneous weekly group, Stevos that emerged by offering support to those who have become socially isolated. Pilgrim members shared the story of their weekly Sunday night teas for the city’s homeless community, and the growing ministry through regular art exhibitions and weekday lunch concerts. Blackwood distributed information about their Sunday 5.00 pm to 7.00 pm Occasional Series, The life and thought of people of Spirit. Members were reminded of the Q & A session being held as part of the National UC History Conference at Pilgrim on Saturday night at 7.45 10 June. The topic: The Church in the Public Square.
These stories became an invitation to others to join in this years local public theology program. This series has set out to assist and resource congregations learn from their shared experiences, what it means to join with God in love for the world. At the gathering, several references were made to the steps that lead to new insights and the way congregation vision statements were embodied in practical actions and events.
Resource papers were shared and a recommendation to study a recent publication by Alan Roxburgh, Joining God, Remaking Church, Changing the World: The New Shape of the Church in our Time (2015). Alan’s website can be found at www.themissionalnetwork.com We are a people of hope-in-action learning to participate with what God is doing in the local. TMN cultivates safe spaces, robust resources and processes to re-orient our Christian communities for the sake of the gospel and the transformation of Gods world. The next major event in the local public theology series will be the visit of Professor Linda Woodhead from the UK. Linda will lead a workshop for congregation leaders on Saturday 16 September and will be the guest speaker at Pilgrims annual symposium on Monday night 18 September. For further information about this series contact Rev Dr Dean Eland.