Greetings …

Last weekend I travelled to Moama to spend time with Tony’s family.  His sister was here from the United States and it was a great opportunity to gather for a family reunion at Tony’s brother’s home.  Tony’s mum was looking forward to having everyone together as it doesn’t happen often … her three children, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren all in the one place at the one time.  There were seventeen of us present from not even 1 to almost 90 years of age.

The day was filled with conversation, swimming with the kids, and socialising before it was time to sit down to eat.  We ate early to accommodate the children.  Everyone helped, a collection of tables and chairs were brought together, food was set out and shared, people looked after babies so parents could eat … it was good to be together.  Not everything matched but it didn’t matter … everyone was welcome … those who were born into the family and those who have joined it.  There was much delighting in the new faces we met, and fond memories of those who have passed on.

As I was thinking about our time together it struck me that this is a little what our family of faith is like.  Some of us are almost born into faith through our birth families and are lucky enough to grow and be nurtured in a faith community.  Others of us find our way to connect later in life, or become part of a new faith community when our needs change.  We are a mix of ages, yet we all bring something to the table that makes the feast memorable.  We don’t always match each another, but often we complement one another.

Families are dynamic, they grow and change.  As our Koonung Heights family grows may we remember that we are all God’s beloved children, and that within God’s family there is always room for more.

Blessings – Heather (she/her).