Sanctuary can be made as well as found, and it doesn’t and shouldn’t stop at words. It should be demonstrated in action.
In the penultimate poem of this collection, ‘5001’, The Poet brings us into the environment of the Community Meal. Held within the Florence Road church, volunteers from the congregation gather every third Sunday of the month to cook and serve hot meals to vulnerable people in Brighton’s local community, ensuring that they too can experience some sanctuary from life’s hardships.
Here are some words from The Poet on ‘5001’:
“While I shouldn’t have favourites, ‘5001’ definitely has a special place in my heart. I have volunteered at the Community Meal four times now, and honestly, it has been one of the most transformative experiences I’ve had the honour of partaking in. It is a place where the action of God’s love is truly demonstrated and for the vulnerable people who come, the space is a sanctuary for them.
“The people who we share coffee or tea, a hot meal and delicious dessert with at the Community Meal are no different to any of us. At any time in our lives, we could all face the hardship of the people who come for a hot meal every month, and because of that, the extension of care and compassion to those people is just as important. Not because it gives anything in return, but because that is the unconditional compassion of God towards us also.
“I wrote this poem as if it were told by God Themselves, spoken as if to the regular attendants of the community meal, but also towards all of us, offering the promise of care, of healing, and of safety in whatever experience of lack and loss we may face. There is no cap on this compassion, there is no limit to how much we can ask for, for God is the essence of unconditional love that is found when we give to those less fortunate and accept help ourselves when we need it most. Knowing you need help is the first step, but allowing yourself to receive it is where healing starts.”
Matthew 25:40 – “I tell you this: whenever you saw a brother or sister hungry or cold, whatever you did to the least of these, so you did to Me.” (The Voice Bible)
Can you remember a time when you received help that seemed to come out of nowhere? What did receiving that kindness feel like? Where can you show that compassion to someone else this week?