Hope is such a tiny word

Pauline Edmiston reflects on one of the recent Community Zoom discussions hosted by FiCS.

I was at our regular Community Zoom Chat last week. This is where some of us in the team gather together with folk from the communities we work alongside regularly, and some we have never met up until now.  We are a mixed bunch and we never really know who might appear on our screens…………. which always adds to the anticipation.  The format is informal, and the focus is slightly different each week which keeps us alert and engaged with one another.  We share with each other deeply about the impact Covid -19 is having on the lives of local people and communities.  Although the thread running through our time together was the cold reality of so much suffering for so many people, there is still a sacred place for hope in our time together as people share what is working well in their own situations as well as getting to hear from others what, with a tweak or a rethink, could work in theirs.

During our chat last week we were reflecting on the fact that it was Mental Health Week.  We were listening to each other and sharing our concerns around the increased numbers of people who are more concerned about their mental health in general, as well as those with deepening mental health issues directly related to the circumstances and impact of Covid-19.

One insight we dwelt on is the concrete reality that so many more people are joining up to be involved in both giving or receiving support and somehow together we cannot let that momentum disappear as society moves forward. So…. were thinking about what the next steps for faith groups might be in local communities and nationally…………to be continued!

 The theme for Mental Health Week was ‘Kindness’ and as we were drawing to a close, we shared more stories of the simple acts of kindnesses that brought a smile to a tired face or a moment of peace to a breaking heart.

I have been thinking deeply about the community zoom meeting last week, particularly around holding onto hope and ended up writing down a wee reflection. 

Hope is such a tiny wee word……………... 

yet it holds within it such power and grace.

 Power to give gentle acts of kindness life changing momentum

and the grace to transform individual actions

into collective, transformative change for so many

 Hope is such a tiny wee word ….. let us not lose hold of it as we move forward together.