Thoughts on authentic community...

Over the years, I have found myself questioning, "what is community" and "where is community"?  The kind of community where people are real and authentic with each other, feeling free to talk about what is really going on in their lives and share themselves openly with others.

For the past seven years, my husband and I have been seeking to know God more personally and follow after His heart.  We have desired to experience what the early Christians experienced together as it is described in the Bible and we have been seeking after what Jesus meant when He instructed and taught his disciples about life together and how to live that out ourselves.  We have been in many 'communities' in the last seven years - Youth With A Mission in particular, a few churches and now Elisha Care. But in all the 'communities' that we've been involved in, rarely did we experience that kind of authentic relationship which underpins the very nature of authentic communities.  Without authentic relationships there can be no authentic community life together.

Having 'joined' several Christan 'communities' in the past and having tried to 'join' a church or two here in Melbourne, I have come to the conclusion that an authentic community is not something that one can 'join.'  Rather, it is something that grows - something that God grows in you as you grow with Him.  At least that is what He has been doing with me. 

My community is not something that I now define with a ministry name or one particular group of people, and it's not made up of only Christians.  It is defined by the authentic relationships that have slowly grown between myself and others over the past three years.  It required me to put myself aside and learn to understand others despite our differences; to pursue and persist in the relationship even though I had to initiate contact every time; and to dare to trust that person with who I really am, allowing them the freedom to do the same. 

Everyone is hungry for real community - a place where they feel loved; a place where they feel safe with others.  But few are willing to give of themselves and be that community - that safe place - for others. 

The opportunities to give of myself to others that the banner of Elisha Care allows are something that I thoroughly enjoy.  It's part of my everyday life - not something that I compartmentalise and label as 'ministry'.  It's not always easy or comfortable, but I learn so much from the experience.

Women's Retreat in Balnarring

The sun was high, the breeze was light but chilly, the sand was warm, the water calm and we were smiling.  That was the beach at Balnarring, where about 9 women went for a retreat last weekend.  We all appreciated the time away - just to get to know each other better and relax together.  We were amazingly blessed to have Robyn along with us, who spent time involving the children in activities while the Mums had time out. 

We did many different things together, but it wasn't what we did that made it special, it was the fact that we did them together.

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On Thursdays from 10am until about 1pm, we hang out at the newly named 'The Lounge' in Croydon - previously known as 'The Croydon Room.'  This is a women only hang out time.

Emma.

Croydon Room Progressing

If last Friday morning is an indication of the life that will come out of the room we are setting up in Croydon then , bring it on. We had some of the guys working, some of the guys just hanging out relating, and lots of Mum's and Dad's with their kids, the place was buzzing. Over the past couple of months we have been preparing this space, believing that it will become another place to hangout, meet people and build on the relationships that are already developing.

Tuesday 2nd of August, we will be officially open , but it really looks like it has kicked off already. The "Inside Story" group has been meeting there on Friday mornings and plenty of life is already flowing from that.

Also, it has been wonderful to see a bunch of girls coming together to dream and relate, our Father is up to something.

Geoff

Morning tea on Main Street

Community Painting

We had the wonderful privilege last Friday of painting the outside of "the Allan Jackson Room" in Croydon. It is situated in the Main street where many of the guys we have developed relationship with over the past 5 years now, hangout. The front of this room was looking really shabby and the council and Croydon Safety Group wanted in cleaned up, so we put our hand up and took on the job. It was so amazing to see about 20 of our community turn up to either paint or come and have some coffee and morning tea as a community. Robyn (team leader from the Shire), was amazed at the group that turned up and said she really loved what was going on amongst us.

It is so special to be apart of a wider team, (Shire, Police, Traders, Businesses, and our little awesome community, not only helping clean up Croydon but seeing it being transformed, one by one

The Guy's helping clear a fallen Tree

Here are some pictures of some of the boys helping clear up a large fallen tree at a women's refuge close to home. It was such a great morning and then to top it off, the girls at the refuge fed us a feast for lunch. A great team effort by all.......

More pics of room in Croydon