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Just Community Day 2017: Haves, Have-nots and Organic Hogs; Believers Consider the Costs

Just Community Day, a TEAR Australia and SU WA partnership held in Forrestdale on Saturday 1st April, was filled with great hands-on teaching and training from a wide range of volunteers with a shared desire to demonstrate the gospel of the Kingdom of God in everyday living.

Just Community provides space for people of all ages to meet, network and explore issues relating to justice, ethical practises for consuming, producing and selling food and clothing, maintaining simpler lifestyles and developing sustainable ways of living.

While some participants spent time considering the intersection of global trade with our community, Peg Davies worked with families to create a worm farm and to develop the theme of “reduce, re-use, and recycle.”

An all-age simulation of the disparity between “haves” and “have-nots” was cleverly sabotaged by some of the “haves” sharing out their bountiful resources, demonstrating that generosity can be a life-changer for many people.

Afternoon workshops included bee-keeping, sustainable housing, organic farming, living in intentional community and ethical vocational choices, with plenty of opportunity for those attending to be challenged and stretched in their thinking and actions.

One of the highlights was the long table dinner where a pig from our wonderful organic farming friends Mike and Jocelyn from Bridgetown fed the hungry hordes.

The evening finished with a time to reflect on God’s goodness and what our next steps might be to bring the Kingdom of God into our communities in resourceful and practical ways. We are looking forward to our next Just Community event soon when we hope to gather people around the true cost of the garment industry and its devastating effect on the lives and livelihoods of those whose hands “touch” the clothes we wear.

Paul Edwards