“Making room in our church’s ‘inn’ for those needing company and others wishing to serve”
The Baru Beat
“For some, these Christmas gatherings serve a significant role in providing company and a place to be…For others, the opportunity to serve, to be purposeful, to be needed at Christmas time is equally significant,” says Bush Ministry Fund priest The Rev’d Loretta Tyler-Moss
“Hi, my name is James*. I’m just wondering if I can help at the Christmas lunch tomorrow?”
This was the first time I’d met James. He popped into the church just to see if he could volunteer at the community lunch, hosted at St Agnes’, Esk on Christmas Day. I responded that we had sufficient volunteers for the lunch, but that he was welcome to join us for lunch (quietly sending up a quick prayer for a spare spot at the table). I needn’t have worried though. James assured me that he was keen to join in the Christmas lunch — he just wanted to help if he could.
James’ response echoed another I’d received earlier in the week when I received a call from Fay* letting me know that she had registered for the lunch and so “would be available to help”. When I let her know that we had our volunteer spots filled, but were excited that she could join us for lunch, her quick reply was that she “could not possibly sit there doing nothing”.
It was becoming apparent to me that I’d only grasped part of the purpose of the church’s Christmas community lunch. For some, these Christmas gatherings serve a significant role in providing company and a place to be. The opportunity to be seen and appreciated through a small gift and a conversation is significant.
For others, the opportunity to serve, to be purposeful, to be needed at Christmas time is equally significant. I suspect that the hosting of the Christmas lunch for Brisbane Valley is so much more than a “holiday season waifs and strays” affair. It’s a ministry to the community by the community. Brisbane Valley Meats and the Esk Fruit Shop donate goods. The Esk Community Op Shop contributes funds and volunteers. The parish hosts, decorating, organising, serving food and packing up. Guests join us from across the Valley, including Meals on Wheels recipients, neighbours and new friends.
The Brisbane Valley Christmas Day lunch isn’t a unique gathering, but it’s a special one, especially for a small rural community spread over a large geographical area. For us, the 2023 Christmas Day lunch was an affirmation of the whole Body of Christ, making room in our church’s “inn” for those needing company and others wishing to serve. It involved several denominations, local businesses and a variety of community members joining together to minister to each other, with each other and for each other for the glory of God.
I look forward to 2024’s community Christmas lunch at our church.
*Pseudonyms used for privacy.
Editor’s note: The Bush Ministry Fund solely funds rural ministry in our Diocese, and it is the only fund that financially supports rural ministry in our Diocese. The Bush Ministry Fund money boxes are a fun and easy way for individuals, families, parishes and schools to donate to bush ministry in our Diocese. Order your BMF money box today by emailing Helen Briffa in the Western Region office via helen.briffa@anglicanchurchsq.org.au or by calling 07 4639 1875.
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