Common Ground Editorial: Edition Five

Welcome to the long weekend!

This edition of Common Ground reflects on the themes of community and service. Nathan McLellan gets us underway in the lead article—entitled Who is my neighbour?—reflecting on the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10. Olivia Burne offers a reflection on Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s now-classic Life Together, drawing out lessons for us as we do life together under the conditions of lockdown. Lucy Collingwood continues the theme of community in Families in Lockdown—sharing what community looks like for her and her two flatmates—and Hannah Chapman invites us to always seek to enhance the mana of others, as we learn to serve with humility.

In this edition, you’ll also discover illustrations by Natalie Duchesne on community that emerge from her time doing the Residential Fellowship, a Staff Note by Alistair Reese, and an interview with Summer Conference alumnus Neihana Reihana.

Also, if you get the chance and you want to experience a moment of wonder, check out this video (shot by Sam Thom) of the dolphins swimming at Kohimarama Beach.

On this ANZAC day,

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.

Yes, we will remember them—all those who have served and given their lives for Aotearoa, New Zealand—and humbly give thanks to God for their service.

Arohanui,

The Venn Team