Transforming Communities: talanoa and good as catalysts

Abstract

A human community is a collective of diverse peoples from diverse backgrounds, with diverse experiences, interests, and commitments. ‘Diverse’ is the keyword here. Because of the intersecting diversities, every community – no matter how small – has the potential to irrupt and refresh itself. In church-speak, a community is a catalyst for transforming as the diverse people stretch out and touch one another’s lives. In this regard, a community is (in itself) a catalyst for transforming. This is the first aspect of “transforming communities” (which is the theme for the 2025 Synod of NSW and ACT, in the Uniting Church in Australia). Transforming takes place internally. The second aspect relates to a key mission of the church, to enable transforming to take place in society (in which the church functions). The church (as institution) is the catalyst for transforming a community – beyond the church’s horizons. In this essay we present food and talanoa (a native Pasifika practice and culture around story, telling, and conversing) as ingredients for creating environments in which transforming communities take root, and thrive.