A hint of a silver lining…

Welcome to Australia – unity and diversity « Call to radical discipleship.

The melancholy cloud that began my week re Australia’s asylum seeker treatment got a hint of a silver lining this morning when the above post from my nephew, Mark, lit up my screen. It showed what is still possible when we operate on the principles of hospitality, generosity and care rather than fear and hostility. It reminded me of the earlier Community Refugee Resettlement programs that took place right in our midst.

Mark’s post was also a reminder of current conversations around “receptive ecumenism” which looks to gain wisdom and understanding from careful listening to the other rather than being burdened with what we can impart, and the new ecumenical challenge which is no longer cross-denominational but cross-cultural.

Maybe the glass is half-full again!