Community Houses
Community Houses
Click here to download 2008 brochure
We now have two households of young adults settled in Amaroo Street. This year our original three residents (Andrew Boyer, Jasmine Dron, & Toby Tan), were joined by four new young people (Caitlyn Lance, Lisa Perkins, David Piok & Susan Williamson). Most, but not all, are studying theology at St Mark’s. Some, not all, are candidates for ordained ministry. It is a great privilege to work with these young people, all seeking God’s direction in their lives. They give me great hope for the future of the church.
Our year commenced with a retreat at the Franciscan monastery in Stroud.
It was good to be held by a traditional monastic community with its life of prayer and hospitality (the brothers are great cooks!). Our program included daily reflections, sessions on the Myers Briggs Type Indicator and managing feelings (conducted by Fr Toby Klein a retired priest from the Diocese of Grafton – once a curate here at St John’s), sessions on the Daily Office and Rule of Life, as well as conversations about our hopes and dreams for the community in 2007.
The Celebration Service at St John’s on the evening of 4th March shared the fruit of this week and was an important marker for the beginning of the year. We also adopted St Brigid as one of our special saints, alongside St John the Baptist and St Francis, for her practice of reckless hospitality. The symbol of a St Brigid’s cross was used to recognise the temporary nature of this community which primarily consists of students who are here for a short time.
The community members share the leadership of morning prayer each weekday at St John’s and have helped craft special offices for the seasons of Epiphany, Lent and Easter. In Holy Week community members contributed to the leadership of the Good Friday Three Hour Devotion, and to leadership and hospitality at the 1st Sunday services (Taize and Jazz Vespers). A community meal is held each Monday and we meet fortnightly to share our joys and burdens in a gathering we call “Here and Now” – based on the style of reflection developed by St Ignatius.
A chaplain I also support members of the community pastorally and provide spiritual direction as needed. Sometimes I’m asked where are they? – we haven’t seen them at church! Well, some community members have ministry placements and commitments beyond St John’s one Sundays, while others are based here. For example, David Piok, now ordained as a deacon, ministers to the Sudanese community based at Pearce. This year Jazz Dron has had a ministry placement at Holy Covenant Jamieson. And of course, they are all typically busy students – managing their studies and working to support themselves financially. Our challenge is to encourage these wonderful young people in our midst. Invite them home for a meal - not necessarily en masse! Or bake them a cake!! Some of them are a long way from “home” and simple home cooked fare would be welcome.
As we reach the middle of the year we are in the midst of much change. Most members of the community are away during the mid-year break. Andrew and Toby are on the Bishop’s Youth Pilgrimage, and Toby will stay on in Europe afterwards. Next semester we will welcome two new young people: Alipate Tuineau, a young man from Tonga, and Syeira Ferguson, a young woman from Uladulla. Both are studying at St Mark’s. Community life is never dull, always rich!
Jane Foulcher