There is a very high value placed upon property ownership, but I’m wondering how important in the scheme of things it really is? I have recently acquired some temporary office space, which is somewhat ironic, given I am employed by Lane Cove Uniting Church, who sold property to pay for me to work in the community. A biblical passage of true devotion is often quoted at weddings: “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried,” (Ruth 1:16-17). This is Ruth’s surprising response to her mother-in-law, when she suggests Ruth return to her childhood ‘home,’ given her recent widowhood and youth. Ruth’s answer indicates that she values the relationship more than her original ‘home’. I am one of many people In Lane Cove who’ve come from another country or state, now living in temporary accommodation. Many have contractual work and are unsure how long they will live here. Young, Sydney-sider adults are often forced into a temporary accommodation scenario, due to housing unaffordability. As this is our new reality, it is worth grappling with the significant issues of people living as transitory residents. How do we best adapt to a changing population and vice versa? What sort of welcome mat do we continuously roll out for people who may only be here for a year or two? Personally, I find some security in having my ‘stuff’ in a familiar place and in having a known environment somewhat adapted to my wishes, to return to regularly. But what is far more important to me is the people in my life, who love me and I them, to varying degrees of intimacy. My God is also a place of security for me which is particularly comforting, being Someone I won’t out live or out move! I believe relationships trump permanent place. I’d love to see long term Lane Cove residents initiating friendships with their new neighbours and sharing the rich values and traditions that exist here. 一個過渡時期的居所 物業主權常被人們加以非常的重視,但那重要性的實質在哪裏找?我受Lane Cove Uniting Church顧用l來為社區服務的,而最近獲得一點臨時辦公室的空間。一切費用卻諷刺地出自售賣教會地產所得而來的。 聖經有一段常於婚禮中表白真誠的引句:“你去哪裏,我也去哪裏;你住在哪裏,我也住在哪裏。你的族人就是我的族人,你的上神就是我的上神。你死在哪裏,我也要死在哪裏,我還要葬在哪裏,”(路得記 第一章 第16至17節)。這是年青的寡婦路得,對婆婆命令她回到童年的‘家’時,令人驚訝的回答。她的回答表示她重視和婆婆的關係較多於她原來的‘家’的。 我住在Lane Cove一間臨時居所,是外國人或外地人的一族。我們大多做合約的工作而無固定的居留時間的。年青的悉尼成年人,很多時因租貴而被迫入住臨時居所。這是我們面對的新現實,得著意地解決過渡時期的住所這重大問題。我們怎樣最恰當地適應或使本地人接受這人口轉變呢?對我們這些可能居住只一兩年的人,受歡迎的程度有多高呢? 對我個人來說,我的東西給放在熟識地點就確定了安全感,和身處差不多如我願望的日常環境,即是恢復常態,經已滿足了。但更重要的是和我生活一起的人,他們跟我具不同程度的互相愛護。我永恆而全能的上神亦是我格外感到慰籍的安全! 我深信人我關係勝於永久居所的。我願Lane Cove的居民主動和新鄰人交往及分享本地豐富的價值和傳統。 一个过渡时期的居所 物业主权常被人们加以非常的重視,但那重要性的实质在哪裏找?我受Lane Cove Uniting Church顧用来为社区服务的,而最近獲得一点臨时办公室的空间。一切費用卻諷刺地出自售賣教会地产所得而来的。 圣经有一段常於婚礼中表白真诚的引句:“你去哪里,我也去哪里;你住在哪里,我也住在哪里。你的族人就是我的族人,你的上神就是我的上神。你死在哪里,我也要死在哪里,我还要葬在哪里,”(路得记 第一章 第16至17节)。这是年青的寡婦路得,她对婆婆命令她回到童年的‘家’时,那令人惊訝的回答。她的回答表示她重視和婆婆的关系較多於她原来的‘家’的。 我住在Lane Cove一间臨時居所,是外国人或外地人的一族。我们大多做合約的工作而无固定的居留时间的。年青的悉尼成年人,很多時因租貴而被迫入住臨時居所。這是我们面对的新現实,得著意地解決过渡時期的住所这重大问題。我们怎样最恰当地適应或使本地人接受這人口转变呢?對我们这些可能居住只一兩年的人,受欢迎的程度有多高呢? 對我个人來說,我的东西給放在熟識地点就确定了安全感,和身处差不多如我愿望的日常环境,即是恢復常态,经已滿足了。但更重要的是和我生活一起的人,他们跟我具不同程度的互相愛护。我永恆而全能的上神亦是我格外感到慰籍的安全! 我深信人我关係勝於永久居所的。我愿Lane Cove的居民主动和新邻人交往及分享本地丰富的價值和传统。
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AUTHORThe articles here are currently written by Liam McKenna, Lane Cove Community Chaplain. Archives
August 2023
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