Ever wondered what other missional communities get up to when they’re not at Wells Way? This month’s missional community focus blog comes from Immerse. Joanna Price shares her reflections from a recent missional activity.
Each month a few members of Immerse gather with some older folk living in a sheltered housing community in Nunhead. There is an open door policy so we don’t know who will turn up, but we usually we have around six to eight regulars. We sometimes see a new face or are joined by carers/family that might be visiting.
We have a short time of worship and a biblical reflection before we get down to the serious business of sharing stories over a cup of tea and piece of cake.
Photograph: David Sillitoe/Guardian
It’s no vocal showdown yet the steadfast singing of folk in their 80’s (and beyond) never ceases to give me a little shiver. I’m convinced it’s precious to God. Praises from those who have weathered many storms, known grief and sadness in ways I don’t yet understand.
I’ll resist getting on my soapbox about how I feel society so often forgets the important role older people have to play in community life, quickly turning to Google and YouTube for advice and wisdom. The real lesson for me was how God is always present and wants to engage with His people, despite our lassitude and discomfort to embrace all that being a missional community entails.
To be honest, last Sunday I didn’t feel very motivated to engage with the relative strangers. I had to drag myself out of my Sunday afternoon lethargy. It cost me something. Aside from pregnancy weariness, having a conversation about things other than nappies and toddlers doesn’t come so naturally anymore and understanding Jamaican Patois has never been my strength.
Fortunately by the end of our time together God had done some work in my selfish heart and I saw His delight in seeing love and community in action. The warmth and kindness I received from some truly remarkable sons and daughters of God reminded me that comfort is not what it’s cracked up to be.
Ultimately our journey into missional communities is about following what Jesus told us to do Matthew 28. And for that to happen, we all have to pick our selves up and embrace our discomfort, leaving the sofa every now and then.
Immerse’s vision statement is: “seeking to release God’s kingdom, one act of mercy at a time.” If you are not part of a misisonal community and are interested in finding out more about Immerse, please contact Sue Stone in the office and ask to be put in touch with one of the team.