Greetings,

Last week I spent a couple of nights in Bendigo.  It was a great short break away, and lovely to have a day to sight-see with Elizabeth.  We visited the Chinese Dragon museum, rode on the Talking Tram and went down a goldmine, but the main reason for our visit was to meet a new family member, born just five weeks ago.  While away, we stayed with another friend who has really been like family all my life.  My mother went to school with her mother and when they reconnected via a State Church Committee, we began to have regular holidays at their place.  My mum’s friend has been living with her daughter and son-in-law since the death of her husband just over a year ago.

In spending time with both of these individuals, I was conscious of how much each one relied on those who were around them.  For any baby there is total reliance on the community to provide all that is needed to sustain life and provide security.  For someone who is in their declining years and who’s memory is failing, there is also a level of dependence on others to help with day-to-day care needs.  The things that were once easy are now difficult and sometimes not possible without assistance.

As we go through life we inhabit a variety of different communities, but it seems to me that each community that surrounds us is important.  I believe that we were created for community with God and one another, and this is why communities and the way that we live in them matters so much. 

Living in community means that there are times we are called to care for others, just as they are called to care for us.  It is a blessing to be part of the Koonung Heights Community and to feel this love and care.  Let us continue to be the kind of church that continues to witness to the love of God the way that we embody community together.

Blessings – Heather (she/her).