Showing posts with label volunteers. Show all posts
All Are Welcome at the Table of God
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| A photo by Jürgen Treiber_Fotor.com |
Here is a reflection by Jyoti, who volunteers at the JRS Day Centre since 2
years
The
vision of the JRS Day Centre for me comes from the Bible: the table of God
where all are welcome, regardless of caste or creed. This is the place where all
are given their place, their respect. This is the atmosphere we have here and
this is the welcoming attitude we have for our guests.
I
like of course talking to each person! First of all opening the door… Open the
door, give a smile and a welcoming gesture. It is for me an openness to receive
each one, the receptiveness, and then you see the smile on the other’s side. One
of them who came recently was a new one, it was her first time. The day she
came she was really down, the second time she came here her face was so
peaceful and calm. I asked her and she said it was because I met the cheerful
people, the good people here.
That
is the difference we make. Those who come with their burdens, feelings of what
is happening to them… so even one smile makes a big difference. What I see
differently, what I have learnt myself as a volunteer, well as you can see, a
smile is my main motto here! Sincerely, despite all the difficulties, if they
can smile, what if I can not give a smile. I see that from the other side, so
it brings such a difference.
Then,
I was on the desk for the travel money. Money is a big thing in their life,
they don’t have money, and although we are giving little, it is very supportive
to them as other organisations do not give it, they have no access to money. So
JRS is doing a very purposeful work which can help them to go to the place they
want, the necessary solicitor or reporting at the Home Office. And all the
various activities of course, they are ways of freeing them from the tension. Like
the massage, the touch makes the person feel healed and loved, all the
activities for our guests are very down to earth, and so very helpful for them.
For
me dignity is one JRS value that is important to me. People come to the UK looking for
dignity a good life, but they end up with nobody respecting them. But this is
one of the place that we have that good practice or a very good deep model of
dignity. Overall I feel this is a place of hospitality where one feels at home
and each volunteer and staff member are so open to cater to our guests in a way
they feel welcomed. And of course our compassion to them in their suffering. We
give that to each person, respecting them as they are as a person, regarding
their person as the image of God.
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CSAN Lent Campaign: Changes Lives
CSAN, or Caritas Social Action Network, in which we are taking part, has launched the Lent Campaign: Changes Lives! Here are some of our JRS volunteers voices on how JRS helps change lives of those marginalised ...
Thank you, all! If you are interested, here is the link to CSAN.
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| By encouraging refugee women to manage their stress and to focus on their health and wellbeing; by praying together |
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| By enabling people to develop their own voice |
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| By providing companionship and emotional support |
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| Through sharing, listening and praying with and for people who have been detained, in a non-judgemental way |
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| By teaching us how we can help make a difference |
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| By treating people with dignity; encouraging people to participate; and by giving people a voice |
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| Accompaniment; journeying with; listening; building relationships; learning mutually |
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| By finding creative opportunities for our refugee friends to have peace, dignity and to have some fun |
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| By respecting each person as they are, without any discrimination! |
Thank you, all! If you are interested, here is the link to CSAN.
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Here and Now - a wisdom from the East
Photo by Mike Pedroncelli at Foter.com
We are going through the Lenten season. At the same time, the spring is coming, too! What would be true penance and true appreciation of life? This week, we listen to a wisdom from Buddhist tradition, which Sr Marguerite shared with us.
We are not capable of being alive in the present moment. We tend to postpone being alive to the future... now is no the moment to be alive. We may never be alive at all in our entire life.
Therefore, the technique, if we have to speak of a technique, is to be in the present moment, to be aware that we are here and now; and the only moment to be alive is the present moment.
THIS is the moment that is real.
To be here and now, and enjoy the present moment, is our most important task.
- Thich Nhat Hanh
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