This article was first published in eMessenger in March 2018.
Kia ora, Talofa lava, Mālō e lelei, Bula Vinaka & hello
Have you heard about Manurewa Parish’s Corner of Hope? The Manurewa Methodist Church is on the corner of Great South Road an Alfriston Road in Manurewa. Rev Vaitu'ulala Ngahe, the Presbyter, says that the Corner of Hope is where they put theology into practice – where they give hope and hospitality.
Every Tuesday morning volunteers in the Parish open the doors and provide a substantial morning tea for the community. The service is aimed at people who have not got enough money or food or who are lonely. The Parish wanted to provide a service that was both sustainable and manageable. They have partnered with local businesses like Bakers Delight, Countdown, and Kiwi Harvest. Volunteers pick up donated food and make up morning tea and any left overs go into the Blessing Bags which people are welcome to take home with them, or are donated to the community.
This hospitality service is more than just morning tea – it is a safe meeting place where vulnerable people are treated with dignity and respect, where trust is built between the church and the community. Where people can come in and are welcomed with friendship, companionship, without judgment. Some of the most vulnerable in the community, those who are homeless, struggling with addictions, violence, or mental health issues are offered acceptance and support from each other and the Parish. If they want more support they are referred to other services.
The morning opens with some words or encouragement and prayer. Robin, the parish coordinator, says that he will often say something about a smile and this brings a smile to everyone’s face. A Swedish study found that it is very difficult to frown when looking at someone who is smiling. And Mother Teresa said, “I will never understand all the good that
a simple smile can accomplish.” Smiling stimulates the brain’s reward mechanisms even more than chocolate does! To find out more about the power of a smile watch this TED talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/ron_gutman_the_hidden_power_of_smiling#t-405065
For about thirty years, the Manurewa Parish has been hosting a car boot sale once a month, where people can rent a space for $5 to sell things they no longer want and raise cash for their family. A congregation member makes morning tea for sale and the parish can sell things that are surplus from their opportunity shop.
Last week Manurewa Parish celebrated the opportunity shop’s 40th year of operation! Volunteers sort the donations and work in the shop which offers very low cost, quality second hand goods. The connection and companionship the volunteers offer customers is an essential part of this service.
The connection made with people at the Corner of Hope ripple out into the community when people see each other when they are out shopping or elsewhere in the local community and they stop to talk. Also, other people in the community hear about what the Corner of Hope does and support them with one school delivering blankets to the Parish after a random act of kindness day.
Find out more about the Corner of Hope https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEaLrHQYuE0
Manurewa Parish are doing great work at keeping their community connected. We know that loneliness is not good for your health and wellbeing. Research has shown that loneliness is as bad for your health as having a long-term illness, smoking 15 cigarettes a day, or being an alcoholic. It is as harmful as not exercising and twice as harmful as being obese. The UK has set up the Commission on Loneliness to combat loneliness.
Frome in Somerset, England, report that when isolated people who have health problems are supported by community groups and volunteers, the number of emergency admissions to hospital fell dramatically. Trained voluntary “community connectors” help patients find the support they need and “health connectors” help patients plan their care. Patients joined choirs, clubs, exercise groups, writing workshops, men’s sheds and this new connection with their community resulted in the remarkable health statistic. It supports other studies which show that people with strong social relationships have significantly better health outcomes. You can read more about it in this article: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/feb/21/town-cure-illness-communityfrome-somerset-isolation
So pop on your smile and tell someone about the great work Manurewa Methodist Parish is doing at the Corner of Hope, visit an elderly relative, call or visit the friend you have been thinking about but have not seen in a while, look in on your neighbour, and let people know you are ready to chat.
And if you want to do more, you could organise a Neighbour’s Day event. Get together with your neighbours on 24 or 25 March and have have a bbq on the berm, a fiesta between the floors, a pop up in a public place, or something that would suit your community. There are some great resources available on the website: http://neighboursdayaotearoa.org/resources/
And there is funding available. To find out more contact Cissy or Sam via email: kiaora@neighboursday.org.nz Keep smiling, connect with friends, whanau and your community to reap all the health benefits a simple smile or chat can offer.
Carol Barron, Methodist Alliance National Coordinator, Carol@MethodistAlliance.org.nz
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