Our neighbourhoods and cities are desperately in need of – lovers; people who build deep, honest and genuine relationships with fellow neighbours, and who actually know the faces of the people who are overcoming struggles. Here are some short stories about the journey towards well-being, about current issues and the people behind them…
The Gift of Receiving
Written by Steve Molen (2024)
I have been part of UNOH as an apprentice for nearly two years and there has been so many learnings and new things to take on board. One of the things that really stood out to me recently was when I became part of the Randwick Park Residents Association and was reading their Mission Statement “How can we make Randwick Park an even better place”. What clicked for me was I had been struggling with how we do get more of the locals involved in transformation of the neighbourhood, and suddenly it all made sense. The association brings the neighbours together, we hear from each other and then from that place with the people, from the people, we all work together to bring about change for good.
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When Social Media finds it’s Legs
Written in 2021
We hope you are well during this time of uncertainty, as we learn to adapt and reshape the way we live under the shadow of COVID .
When the Impossible Becomes Possible.
Written in 2020
Outcasts are welcomed. Sinners are forgiven. Cultural outsiders, like the Good Samaritan, demonstrate neighbourliness. Ellul notes that ‘in all the parables, the person who serves as an example, has not lived a moral
life. The one who is rejected, is the one who has lived a moral life. Not only are Kingdom values upside-down values, but God has a habit of choosing the most unlikely people. In doing this, God is neither foolish
nor presumptuous. He merely has a consistent policy in confounding the wise of this world. He chose the powerless to show forth his strength and those whom the world count as nothing are raised up to show forth his
glory. – Resist the Powers by Charles Ringma Watching our neighbourhood respond to the Level 4 conditions has been a pleasant surprise. But living under these conditions, has not been easy for us all. Most of us experienced emotions of anxiety, fear, frustration, isolation and uncertainty. We did, our family and neighbours did but, through the platform of Facebook, a beautiful story of neighbours reaching out to neighbours, was unveiled and revealed, from the most unlikely people – the impossible … neighbours connecting and caring, became possible.
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We are heading into a Major Recession.
Written in 2020
We haven’t really felt it yet because government has, and is, softening the blow with wage subsidies and major financial input. But it’s going to hurt, and it’s going to affect everyone. The government are predicting unemployment increases to 9%, and, according to Tania Pouwhare from The Southern Initiative, there will be bigger implications for Māori and Pacific, with possible 18-24% unemployment rates for both. Many of our normal funding sources (for Churches, Trusts and Communities) may dry up. Auckland Council services will decrease ($500 million cuts), affecting some major developments, meaning a decrease in funding to Local Boards for community grants and events etc.
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Who will ask the Hard Questions?
Written in 2016
This week I read a quote from our daily UNOH readings, it’s been playing over and over in my head…..
“Helder Camara, a twentieth-century bishop in Brazil, said ‘When I feed the poor, they call me a saint, but when I ask why the poor are hungry, they call me a Communist’ ” from Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals – Shane Claiborne
We need heroes, we need people who are willing to feed the hungry. We have one of these in Randwick.
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Power; through the Lens of Grace
Written 2019
This is a three-part personal reflection on understanding ‘our own power’ and how insight into power can help us work towards our own and another’s transformation. My first insight is about ‘vulnerability and grace’ while living and working incarnate within communities on the margins. (Note that the next two sentences may be offensive.)
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What Makes People Change (Pt 1)
Written 2012
I’ve often wondered what brings about change in someone’s life. Around me I see so much struggle as people try to place themselves in life. Sometimes there isn’t enough grip to be able to stand straight. What makes people change?
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What Makes People Change (Pt 2)
Written in 2012
Last month, I asked the question – “What makes someone change?
”Have you heard the saying – ‘You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.’ But, if you feed the horse plenty of sugar or lots of salt, it’s going to need and want water. While this analogy isn’t perfect, it does help when we are thinking of ‘change’. People, like horses, will change for the better, if they have a serious dose of sugar (awhi, encouragement) and/or salt (pain).
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The Taonga in Two Worlds.
Written in 2014
Last Wednesday night, while I was walking back through the Skate Park after visiting a neighbour, I stopped to chat with a few of the youth who were skating and joking around. They asked many questions about the amazing development that was happening with the Skate Park. As we stood surrounded by piles of dirt, bulldozer tracks, deep holes for drainage pipes and fenced areas they wanted to know when the new Skate Park was going to be finished.
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Speaking Truth
Written in 2014
Last week, our youth leaders were dropping their youth home after a great night out with about 20 teenagers. Those in the van loved the night, plenty of laughter, lots of jokes and banter. But gradually the conversation turned to mocking and words with a sting. One of the youth girls, a fifteen year old, who had become a target of the mocking, pushed back with a loud statement, “So, do you feel more powerful now after saying that? Does it make you feel better than me?” Silence quickly followed in the van. She had spoken truth, and her words silenced what could have become an ugly situation.
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Miracle A, Miracle B
Written in 2013
When we first came to Manurewa and told people that we were moving into Randwick Park, we were surprised by their responses, “people like you don’t want to move into those areas”. Others said, “be careful” A community worker thought we wouldn’t last long, “just like all the other church do-gooders!”.
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Friendship
Written in 2014
Most mornings we share a daily time of UNOH Common Devotions and Communion. Recently we’ve read Matthew 28 and pondering about the meaning of Easter. Today we where confronted by this important question –
What does ‘fruit’ look like when God’s full resurrecting power is accessible and involved in our personal lives, in the lives of our neighbours and in the life of our community?
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A Glimpse of the Kingdom
Written in 2016
Sometimes, we get a glimpse of what the Kingdom is like, a taste of heaven on earth. Here are a few recent stories and small reminders of what is to come…
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