“We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, and in that waiting, a new character in community; and in community, solidarity and hope for 2021 and beyond.” Romans 5:4
We are all somewhere (or everywhere) on Paul’s spectrum. Suffering. Persevering. Building character. Hoping.
In these present times, it is a struggle to fulfill the basic tenets of hospitality. We are falling short of our core principles of generous invitation, warm and caring personal contact, and the simple benefits of sharing a meal around a table. Attention to protocols is necessary, but we recognize the compromise — our connection to each other is endangered. Maybe in this present suffering, this persevering, we can fine-tune our community character. At Soulkitchen, our original mission was to befriend the most vulnerable and the lonely, first in Australia and now, here in Vancouver; building resilient communities because of good relationships — food, simply used as a tool to that end. We had to dig deep and be creative to find our way in 2020.
Read the full article here A Season to Linger | Union Gospel Mission (ugm.ca)