The very first edition of Manna Matters began with some uncertainty as to the financial viability of this venture. There is perhaps some symmetry, then, to the fact that we are once again facing this question. Simply put, costs have escalated faster than income. Jacob and I are taking a cut in pay for the next while, till things improve.
This is only the second time this has happened over the last sixteen years, something for which we are enormously thankful. But it does pose a challenge. We will take the unusual step of making an Advent appeal this year and we would be grateful for any help you can give. (Of course, you needn’t wait till then; feel free to make a donation right now—see the back page for how to do this.)
The last few months have been dominated by the mammoth task of recording a podcast series on ‘The Legacies of Colonisation’. Four episodes have been published, and another six are coming, possibly more. The question of colonisation is so fundamental to understanding the shape of economic life in Australia that we didn’t want to do it by halves. (You can listen this this series here.)
A new initiative in the last couple of months has been trialing a couple of ‘Evening Conversations’ in Melbourne’s CBD. These have been generously hosted by ValueLab, a ‘social impact collective’ housed in Donkey Wheel House, near Southern Cross Station. These evening gatherings aim to be a more intimate space in which people can gather to discuss issues that find little room in the Christian world. The first evening explored ‘the politics of place’, and the second sought to unsettle perspectives on political polarities such as conservative/progressive and left/right. Many thanks to Shiung Low, from ValueLab, and Robyn Whitaker, from the Wesley Centre, for their sharp contributions to these evenings. We hope to be able to offer similar conversations in other capital cities, as opportunity presents. (Some images included here of our most recent event.)
As we go to press, we will be embarking on the A Different Way Week. This is a week-long intensive exploring Christ’s call to a new way of living, hosted by the Seeds Community here in Long Gully. This is the first one since Covid, and we are fully subscribed! Your prayers for all participants will be appreciated.
Jonathan Cornford
