Dear Inner Circle,
Fear needs distance to exist, and truth most often comes to us from the edges rather than the centre of things. This week a group gathered outside our Bondi Beach Community Centre, where Uncle Ringo performed a smoking ceremony for us. Rituals like this are used for a number of purposes, and Uncle Ringo spoke to us about the importance of storytelling and language as a way into deeper connection, into closing the distances between each other.
He then shared some of the history of William Dawes, who sought to connect with and document local Aboriginal culture and language during colonial times. His curiosity led him into relationship with the local Aboriginal men and women he encountered, and his records have been an important asset in language revitalisation efforts.
How did he do this? It wasn’t only what he did, it was where he did it. He built his hut at the edge of the Sydney Cove encampment, a quiet place, just at the edge of things, where many Aboriginal people felt safe and welcomed. Mutual respect and learning were a hallmark of their time together. He was one of the first to learn that cultures and languages differed from region to region. Do you ever wonder why we have so many places named “Myall”? It comes from a local word for stranger, picked up by the colonists and scattered across the map.
Uncle Ringo walked around the circle and smoked everyone, then did another round and hugged everyone. Some cried, some laughed, some stood awkwardly. Each was the right response, and it was a healing moment.
Only days later our community found itself gathering around something very different.
We faced the sudden loss a much-loved member of our community. Here one day, gone the next. She passed away the day before her birthday, and as the news was filtering through our community, two cakes appeared. One came from her best friend, who was yet to hear the news. The other came from a volunteer who shared her birthday. The team, in their grief, cut both cakes and handed slices to anyone who walked through the door.
Grief and celebration sat at the same table, and no one kept their distance. That’s what the edge of things looks like here: a place where people feel safe enough to come close, to share cake and tears.
Fear needs distance. This week, we gave it none.
Thank you for being part of the Inner Circle,
Jon
Rev. Jon Owen
CEO & Pastor
Wayside Chapel