Community of The Way responding to human need by loving service
Reflections
“Being a member of the Community of The Way has pushed me to delve deeper into my faith and become more disciplined in practising my spirituality. It is very valuable to be surrounded by like-minded young people who support each other in their faith journeys,” says Community of The Way intern, Eleanor Reid
I joined Community of The Way in 2019 as a non-residential member, and moved onsite at St Francis College earlier this year. I joined the Community initially as an opportunity to connect on a regular basis with other young Christians, as there weren’t many at my church, but it has many other benefits. Being a member of the Community of The Way has pushed me to delve deeper into my faith, and become more disciplined in practising my spirituality. It is very valuable to be surrounded by like-minded young people who support each other in their faith journeys.
As the Community Engagement intern, my main role this year has been establishing connections with local parishes and community groups to provide service opportunities for other Community of The Way members. Our service projects commenced last week, after months of preparation, when we visited Anglicare’s youth services in Beenleigh. We helped teenage clients find clothes for job interviews and assisted parents with finding clothes for their kids. We also packaged clothes for clients who couldn’t make it on the day, based on their preferences. We will be helping with Thread Together van packing and site visits regularly.
This work connects with the Community’s element of service and the Anglican Communion’s Mark of Mission, “To respond to human need by loving service”. Our service activities aim to both give to those in need and build relationships with our local community, especially those we may not otherwise interact with.
Prior to October, we assisted the Justice Unit and St Francis College staff with On Earth Festival planning. At this festival, Community members assisted with traffic management, Frank’s Bar, first aid, the COVID-19 check-in counter, welcoming participants, videography, staging, assisting with the kids’ corner, setting up and packing up.
These projects provide opportunities for Community members to engage in service and social justice and also help others to get involved.
Being a member of the Community of The Way is rewarding in all its elements – through prayer, study (regular whole-group Bible studies and supporting each other’s’ individual spiritual lives) and service, and I am excited to see what new heights the Community reaches in the rest of 2021 and beyond.
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