Multiculturalism in Microcosm

Bible Study at Bill's farm,"Currah" - a Multicultural Event " in the sticks"

Multiculturalism in Microcosm.

What does that mean?

Simply, it means becoming friends with people from other cultures and places in a small place like Hillston.

But that wouldn't fit in the blog heading box!...................... and I love the alliteration!

For me,after nearly a year of having one or more of the "backpackers", as we call them here, sharing our church times,our bible study and joining in to what is happening in town, it describes some valued friendships.These friendships are forged across age,cultural and language barriers to become treasures.

After attending the UME workshop in October at Galong, Hillston Uniting was inspired by Katelina to think about the young overseas visitors in our midst. This led to the Backpacker BBQ last year and has also encouraged us to step up our efforts to include backpackers in the congregation.

We have not had to try very hard. 

They have come to us from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Korea, Vietnam, Africa; some who have always been church goers and some who have not, but who were brought along by friends and stayed to share food, laughs and a warm welcome from us. Some have been part of our congregation (and our lives) for months and we miss them (and they miss us) when they go.They have become "locals",always ready for a "cuppa" and to learn 1940's Australian idioms from one of our congregation members.We once had a discussion about the difference between being "fair dinkum" and "dinky di." (Think about it - same,same but different.)

Jenny, Lee, Matthew and Anne.

So what did we do? Not much really.We have put Mandarin and Korean language on our powerpoint along with English but the most important thing was to be willing to include people and make them welcome and part of the place; include them in our lives and be friends. 

After that they have blessed us in so many ways. We have been inspired by their willingness to bring along others to the church and tell them about Jesus. They have contributed to community events, like WNWN and they have increased the size of our bible study so much we can't fit into a home any more,using the church hall instead to fit all 12-16 of us in! They have kept in touch when they leave town or go home.They have added a youth and vibrancy which is fun and refreshing. 

Anne at the High Tea

Our friend, Anne, from Taiwan, is back in Hillston for the third time.She is now "part of the furniture" and we take an interest in her (and she in us) as if we were parents or grandparents as well as friends.On her last visit she delayed her trip back to Foster to help Sue with the preparation and serving on the day for a  High Tea run for Hillston locals when the other organiser had to make an emergency trip to Sydney to assist her elderly parents.

All of this breaks the stereotype of the monocultural rural town,suspicious of anyone different and a boring place to be and proves Galatians 3:26-28 as to how it is in the Kingdom of God.

 "You are all now sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptised into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."   (We could add - neither old nor young)

Mandy (centre with boyfriend, Derry) had this picture taken at Hillston Church and made it into a card to give to congregation members at Christmas 2012.