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This is my Uniting Church

Hampton Park Uniting Church

November 14, 2023

In this new regular series we're excited to be telling some stories of our local congregations and communities of faith - the beating heart of the Uniting Church!  Find our growing hub of stories here.
 
This week we head to the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne where we find Niki Oostwoud (Children’s Worker) at Uniting Place, the home of Hampton Park Uniting Church in Melbourne. They’re on the land of the Bunurong/Boonwurrung peoples.
Hampton Park

"We look for the outworking of love: patience, kindness, humility, integrity, compassion, hope and perseverance. When we see these qualities, we know that God is working."

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Describe your church community

We are a community-based church in Hampton Park (South-east suburb of Melbourne) made up of ordinary people trying to live out our faith and follow in the way of Jesus together.

What one thing that makes your community unique?

We have strong connections with the local community and an active volunteer team who work in the community garden, in the kitchen for our free “Open Up” meal and in many other ways. For a congregation of around forty individuals, we certainly make our presence known in a positive way in the wider community. “Uniting Place” is known for being inclusive, and hospitable and for looking out for those who might need a little bit of extra help with practical needs or with finding a welcoming space to belong.

Where do you see God at work in your community?

We look for the outworking of love: patience, kindness, humility, integrity, compassion, hope and perseverance. When we see these qualities, we know that God is working in our midst, whether within the church walls or beyond.

What are the intercultural and/or intergenerational aspects?

We’re lucky to be based in a very multicultural suburb and to have the opportunity to learn about diverse cultures, languages, and faith traditions. Our playgroup and outreach services reflect this diversity, and we have people from a range of cultural backgrounds in our congregation too. We have an “All Ages” service monthly and are beginning to explore more interactive approaches to this time together.

What are some of the challenges you are facing?

Like many mainline churches, the Sunday congregation is upwardly mobile when it comes to age demographics. We appreciate their wisdom and experience and look for ways to engage with younger generations as well. Sourcing the ongoing funding to support our ministry and many outreach programs can also present us with some challenges.

What can the rest of the church pray for you and your community?

That we would be a community that doesn’t just talk about God’s love, but actively follows in the way of Jesus: showing compassion, integrity and hospitality in the way we relate to each other and the wider world.