GO TO THE MARGINS
*Conversations at our 'community dinner'
Learn how to accompany those on the peripheries
in a way that affirms their dignity and call.
Have you encountered people who are experiencing homelessness or food insecurity, and wondered if you can do more for them, besides giving them a coin or some food? What if there is a way to engage with those who are doing life tough, that would communicate God’s love and support for them without feeling overwhelmed by their great needs yourself? How could we create a space where they would feel valued, and empowered to contribute their own gifts to support others? A space where they could also have the opportunity to have spiritual conversations and receive the gift of faith?
Often these kinds of situations call for a community response – on our own, we can feel a bit helpless & powerless to bring change. But if we work together – each contributing what we can - we can make an impact in people’s lives that we can’t on our own.
Since June 2023, we have been partnering with St. Benedict’s Catholic Community in Melbourne to support them in pioneering a ministry to those on the margins, and train a team with learning how to accompany those on the peripheries in a way that affirms their dignity and call.
Food security & isolation are often felt needs for those who are doing life tough. So, since January 2024, we’ve been hosting meals twice a month in a community space near St. Ben’s. Our focus has not been on putting up an event or a program, but more about intentionally creating a space where we can draw people into a community, and start building relationships through conversations around the tables. Team members take on different roles as they are able to contribute to this effort. A number of our team also meet twice a month over Zoom to process what we are experiencing, and receive mentoring from a Christian leader who has been involved in this kind of work for more than a decade.
*Conversations at our 'community dinner'
As our team has reflected on this ministry in 2024, and listened to feedback from our team and our mentor, we feel encouraged. We feel encouraged at how we've personally grown over this year - in understanding and confidence with this work, in our relationships with God and with one another on our team; and the friendship & trust which we've been able to establish with those from the local community who have participated. This last characteristic is seen especially through the group of people who come back regularly, their willingness to contribute to our times together in various ways, and moments of personal vulnerability and sharing we’ve experienced with them.
We have now entered a new phase of learning and growth in taking these conversations deeper - whether they're around the table or with our group conversations and activities or one-on-one, outside our gatherings. And as we make space for this, we believe it will also draw us closer to Jesus in our own relationship with Him, and into His mission as we allow His life to flow through us into these relationships.
*Conversations at our 'community dinner'
If you would like to learn how to start something similar from your own parish or group, there are training, resources and support that are being made available, free of cost. Let us know if you are interested and we can put you in touch with them and support you in getting started.
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Also, if you have a question or would like to get involved, please feel free to connect with us.
