This article was originally published in Touchstone in September 2017.
A social service is an activity that promotes social well-being, builds stronger communities and promotes equality and opportunity.
Social services include a wide range of programmes and services that the Methodist Missions offer: social work, social housing, budgeting and counselling. They also include activities and services that parishes provide such as hospitality, music programmes for children and parents, second-hand shops, repair cafés, drop-in centres, food banks, and Neighbours Day activities. Activities can be on a small or grand scale - whatever is needed in your community.
Some examples of Parish-run social services include the following: Nancy's Afternoon is provided by Northcote Takapuna Methodist Parish and is in its 50th year of operation. Nancy's Afternoon is an afternoon of entertainment for older adults who live independently or in residential care. The programme was inspired by Nancy, a member of the congregation, who wanted to provide activities for people in rest homes. Parishioners host the afternoons, arrange transport and entertainment, and provide afternoon tea.
Crossroads Papakura Methodist Parish has a hospitality mission in its community café. Anyone can sit in the café and have a cup of tea or coffee and something to eat in
a sunny open community space. The café has enabled the church to build relationships with members of the community who are homeless or vulnerably housed. The hospitality mission of the Crossroads congregation is to show friendliness, generosity, and consideration to everyone who enters the café. Sharing tea or coffee creates comfort and puts everyone at ease. In the process people feel connected to one another. Members of the congregation say through the café they have learned what they have in common with others. They share feelings of acceptance, community, inclusion and value.
Hamilton East Parish has social housing units that help meet the needs of church people and the local community. The social housing units were established in 1991 and further units were added in subsequent years. They are adjacent to the churches in the Parish and Rev Anne Preston says that if she could duplicate one service and roll it out nationwide, this would be it. The units are usually fully occupied and the church offers affordable rents to people who do not have many resources.
People who work in paid or voluntary social services know that:
You will never be bored
You will often be frustrated
You will be surrounded by challenge
You will step into other people's lives and make a difference
Some will bless you and some will curse you
You will see people at their worst and their best
You will be amazed at people's capacity for love, courage, and resilience
You will see life begin and end
You will experience triumphs and failures
You will cry a lot, you will laugh a lot and you will know what it is to be human and humane.
It is not easy but we can learn from each other about what works well. When you have colleagues, you can ask for support and get it. When we leverage our collective skills, imagination and resources, we can promote best practice and work together to build a just and inclusive society. This is what the Methodist Alliance is all about. Please contact me to get more information on joining.
The Methodist Alliance will have its first annual forum in Christchurch on 3-4 November. It will begin with a powhiri at Rehua Marae. There will be opportunities to visit community programmes and other services run by the Christchurch Methodist Mission. Methodist Alliance members will give presentations on their work and the economist Paul Dalziel will give the keynote address.
Carol Barron, Methodist Alliance National Coordinator, Carol@MethodistAlliance.org.nz
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