In this series, Uniting Church leaders and members share their personal understanding of mission and how it has changed in their lifetime. Here, Melbourne’s Rev. Jenny Preston shares her thoughts…

As Deacon in the Heidelberg area of Melbourne, the focus of mission and ministry for me has been to offer the hospitality of God, particularly in the areas of ageing and disability.

The ancient hospices are a model for me: places where travellers and pilgrims and those needing help in times of illness would all be received as welcomed and honoured guests.

In all areas of mission with local or overseas partner Churches, it is exciting to feel the Holy Spirit hanging on and hoping with us as opportunities are provided for our sisters and brothers to grow into their potential as God’s much-loved children. (Romans 8:19)

It remains true that ‘people give to people’. Our experience has been that relationship and trust built with local congregations connects passionate people to the partner church and its projects. Donors do appreciate receiving reports. Possibly they miss the old ‘deputations’ by missionaries on furlough, however we now have great, modern methods of information transfer.

We love being partners with the United Church of Zambia communities. They continue to educate us in the need for empowerment and sustainability in projects. Whilst sitting in on a Community School Committee Meeting we have seen governance and transparency in action, as they share their hopes for the immediate future.

We have seen one of the local leaders move from “Acting” to Headmaster in the village school and we observe his wisdom as he persuades fathers of Grade 7 and 8 girls to allow them to continue education. We have witnessed the tenacity of teachers and pupils at Jordan School, where rats haunt the rafters of the derelict, former church building.

Our Drop In Centre volunteers in Heidelberg are gathering wool and knitting needles for the United Church of Zambia Ladies Fellowship at Jordan. The volunteers are planning to send these to their Zambian friends in a parcel along with photos and letters. We are also fundraising for specific projects for Zambian families who are vulnerable and in need.

We simply must have vibrant and challenging partnerships between the various cultures, as not one culture inhabits the full essence of God’s hope for each community.