Do you think West Epping is a “safe place”?

Safe places welcome and respect. Safe places nurture and care. Safe places encourage and uplift. They offer hope and a future. They bring out the best in people. They nourish every member to their fullest potential.

But safe places are pretty rare these days.

Voter backlash in the US, in the UK and even here in Australia reveals what Barack Obama claims to be a “crude form of tribalism.” What emerges is a divisive, dangerous “us and them” mentality in our community.  

Meanwhile, the displacement of more than 65 million people around the world demonstrates the basic welfare and security needs of many people are no longer being met. Then, there is the rise of ISIS and other terror groups who rape, pillage and consign so many innocent people to a horrible death.

And here in Australia, domestic violence, discrimination against those who are seen to be different, suicide rates among young people and the abuse of children, indicates even the most vulnerable lack protection in a country that prides itself on a “fair go”.

Christian belief affirms we are all created in the image of God. Our identity as human beings says each one of us is made in the likeness of the One who is unconditional love. Therefore, as God’s creatures, we are to love as God loves. We are to give as Christ gives.

This means West Epping Uniting Church should always be a place for all. Here we are called to be a community that lives out the liberating grace and mercy of Jesus.

Here we are called to do so in the way we welcome people, in the way we nurture our children, in the way we encourage our young people, in the way we care for our seniors and in the way reach out to others.

In everything we do – in our social activities, in our worship, in our small groups and in our many different meetings, West Epping Uniting Church is to be a place where everyone is welcome. We are to be a place where everyone is respected, we are to be a place where everyone is nurtured, cared for and made safe.

This is a priority – let’s ensure this happens and that it continues to do so.

John Barr