Revesby Uniting opens its heart even wider

What does it look like when a small congregation asks not how to bring more people into church, but how the church might become more deeply part of its community?

For Revesby Uniting Church, one answer is as simple as opening its doors – 24 hours a day.

The congregation in Sydney’s south-west recently launched the Rivergum Community Pantry, a purpose-built outdoor pantry offering free, round-the-clock access to non-perishable food, toiletries and other everyday essentials.

There are no forms to fill out, appointments to make or questions about whether someone qualifies for help. The invitation is simple: take what you need, give what you can.

The pantry grew from Revesby Uniting’s ongoing conversations with its neighbours and organisations already providing food relief and community support. The congregation wanted to offer something that complemented existing services while reaching people who might otherwise fall through the gaps.

Church Council chairperson Jenny Kadwell said the pantry was designed to make asking for help as easy and comfortable as possible.

“Sometimes people need a little help but don't know where to go, don't qualify for formal assistance, or simply need something outside the hours when other services are available,” Jenny said.

“We wanted to create something that was available whenever it was needed, without people having to explain or justify why they were there.”

The congregation is also working with students through the University of Technology Sydney’s Shopfront program to develop a sustainable model for stocking and managing the pantry over the long term.

A church beyond Sunday

The pantry is the latest expression of a welcoming community life growing around Revesby Uniting’s buildings and grounds.

Alongside the Rivergum Community Garden, the church hosts Kidsplay, community workshops, social groups, movie nights and other activities. Its spaces are also increasingly being used by community organisations.

For a small, predominantly lay-led congregation, these activities have prompted deeper reflection on what it means to be church.

Community Engagement Coordinator Cheree Corbin said people did not need to attend Sunday worship to find a place within the wider community.

“We’re increasingly thinking about Revesby Uniting as a community that extends well beyond the people who worship here on Sunday,” Cheree said.

“Someone might first encounter us through the garden, bring their children to playgroup, come to a workshop, use one of our spaces or put a tin of food into the pantry.

“Those relationships matter. We want people to feel that these spaces and programs belong to them, too. That they’re not simply things the church provides for the community, but things we can create and sustain with the community.”

As Revesby Uniting approaches its 80th anniversary in 2027, the congregation is focusing not simply on adding more programs, but on nurturing existing relationships and ensuring its community initiatives can flourish into the future.

Neighbours looking after neighbours

Built over several months by the congregation’s volunteer property team, the pantry sits beside the Rivergum Community Garden, with space for people to leave donations as well as take what they need. Financial donations are also welcome.

For Jenny, the pantry represents a simple but important understanding of community: everyone has something to offer, and everyone may need a helping hand at some point.

“We want this to be a place where both giving and receiving feel completely normal,” she said.

“You might put something in one week and need to take something the next. We don’t want there to be a dividing line between the people who give and the people who receive. It’s simply neighbours looking after neighbours.”

At Revesby Uniting, that spirit of mutual care is helping shape a church where people can find connection, practical support and a sense of belonging – whether they arrive on a Sunday morning or in the middle of the night.