“Building Bridges Through Story” aims to be an excellent celebration of diversity; an opportunity to build community and establish lasting connections that foster inclusion and respect and begin to break down the walls in our society. These walls are pervasive, built by ignorance and fear of people of different colour, race, culture, gender, religion, birth place and socio-economic status.
It is an engagement of the heart. A deep listening to the real stories of people who have experienced the pain and suffering as a result of being excluded, ignored, treated to unjust laws, discriminated against and often abused in public. Every story told, was and is a piece of us; a gift to the listener; an attempt to find a deeper connection with marginalised groups in our own community.
A bridge can be one way to reach a destination or solution. It can represent a transition – a crossing over – taking a journey from death to ‘new life’. A bridge can be a symbol of hope but for some, it can be a challenge. A struggle to overcome an obstacle or a barrier.
Manningham Uniting Church and partners are very pleased that we now have an opportunity to tell another story in 2024 that will tackle a new theme and encourage discussions and sharing to a deeper level.