Every Thursday, All Saints Petersham runs ‘Hub of Hope’. They open their doors to people from the community in order to provide a free lunch, Internet, a community garden and someone to listen. This week there was a special lamb roast in the lead up to Easter. Team Petersham had the privilege of serving alongside those who do this faithfully every week and talking to the locals.
Dan explained the elements of the Easter roast over the din of the hall. Bitter herbs for sorrow, eggs for new life, unleavened (or Lebanese) bread, and lamb for Jesus’ sacrifice were enjoyed by all.
Matt, who is studying social work, runs this as well as community dinners on Wednesdays. He was literally running between people today to make sure everything was running smoothly. A few men came from Anglicare and as well as sharing in the meal, announced that they intended to share in the funding as well!
We were able to put together bags of groceries that were left from Christmas hampers and hand them to people on the way out, which they were really grateful for.
Another man from church is selling bikes for $20 or $30 as a cheap way for people to access transport. One of our team members, David, took a bike for a spin around the church grounds before purchasing it to get him from Redfern station to Moore each day.
Baz holds a bible study for a few people who choose to stay back after lunch. Those of us who joined in today were treated to apple pie, chocolate ice-cream and the invite from Baz to ‘grill the Moore college students with all the hard questions’. They took him up on the challenge, although I think poor Chris copped the brunt of it.
Members of All Saints Petersham congregation have been graciously hosting Moore College students to meals throughout the week. Tonight, Yvonne and Gerry opened their home to Alex, Steve and I. I fell in love with their dog, Hamlet, who was a character, walking underneath the kids while they were doing gymnastics moves down the hall then farting and being let out in disgrace after dinner.
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