Reflection of the Week - 9th April 2024
Jesus meets Thomas the way he meets all of us—wherever we are when we decide we are ready.
Responding to the gospel’s call
By Bindy Taylor
Editor-in-Chief and Communications Manager
Posted in Faith
As the community moves away from the church, many congregations are finding innovative ways to bring church to the community.
On Easter Friday this year, Playford Uniting Church joined other Northern suburbs congregations in bringing Good Friday reflections to a unique location – Elizabeth Oval, where the Central Districts football team played against North Adelaide in the Round 1 match.
Having football played on Good Friday is something that often sparks debate between Christians. Although South Australia’s National Football League first endorsed Good Friday matches back in 2012, there are still many who would like to see the traditional relgious holiday preserved – and football-free.
Rev Pete Riggs, the minister at Playford Uniting Church, knew that there would be some people – both churched and unchurched – who may be uncomfortable with Playford’s decision to get involved with Good Friday football.
“We could have protested and asked why people have lost their religion, playing and attending footy on Good Friday. We could have offered an alternative – come to our church and do something different. Or we could choose to be present with the community,” Pete explains.
“We saw an opportunity. We asked, ‘what is the gospel’s call on us and how do we respond?’”
The congregation’s response was to think of ways they could be present with the community at this sporting event, and slowly the details began coming together.
The idea was a simple one – members of the Northern suburbs churches would don t-shirts emblazoned with the words “Have a really GOOD Friday”, hand out hot cross buns, and talk to the gathered footy fans about why Easter is such a special time. Pete was also given an opportunity to offer a blessing to the crowd prior to the beginning of the match.
But trying something new can be daunting – and Pete certainly felt this.
“I felt at risk of begin misunderstood by believers, which sometimes holds us back more than being misunderstood by the world,” he says.
“The other fear I had was the possibility that I would not represent God in a way that would truly make God known.”
Despite this, the opportunity to reach others – to “make people think God is interested”, as Pete puts it – overrode the anxieties associated with holding the event.
“We got involved as a step of faith – that step of faith that takes you into the unknown. If it doesn’t take you into the unknown then it’s not faith,” he says.
“Organising this day was hard work – it took time, emotion, many meetings across different community groups – but it associates the church with something people love. People were surprised by our willingness, our enthusiasm and our generosity; the way we genuinely blessed this day for people.”
By joining and connecting with the community, Pete believes the members of Playford Uniting Church made the true meaning of Easter hit home for many in the crowd.
“Christians gathering with others on Good Friday was a wonderful expression that Jesus has comes for the whole world – not just Christians.”
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