Radical Church

THE NOTION OF ‘RADICAL CHURCH’ takes the world seriously – that is, we are to take the world seriously as the place where God is active. That includes meeting together as a community where we learn to care for each other, and prompting each other to be aware of what is happening in the wider world.

In our recent activities that has included:
• the Agape Meal, drawing on the memory that the early Christian community met in hoes to hear the apostolic teaching, to ‘break bread’ and to care for the needy: six of us, from various places including Zambia, South Africa, Singapore/Melbourne, Victoria in general, Western Australia/Melbourne, met for a conversation and meal on Saturday evening, reflecting particularly on the fact that we are well fed but so many people live precarious lives, as the Tsunami, typhoons and earthquakes show. We reflected on our feeling of helplessness, and small actions we may and must take.

• The Thursday Forum at which Sam Charlesworth, Volunteer Coordinator, introduced the particular issues facing people seeking asylum in Australia, and the Asylum Seeker Support Project that provides financial and medical support for people who have applied for refugee status but have no decision – and also those who have been granted refugee status but are not eligible for social security of Medicare cover. Volunteer training will be offered on the next two Thursdays: 6.30-8.45pm, Centre for Theology and Ministry, 1 Morrison Close, Parkville.