From the Heart of a First-Generation Migrant
Dear friends and families,
Warm Greetings!!
I am delighted to write on this platform for the first time!!
Let me introduce myself to you. I am born and brought up in India and came to Australia in October 2021 to serve as a Priest at Hume Anglican Parish and Hume Anglican Grammar.
Hume Anglican Parish which has two congregations namely, St Peter’s Anglican Church, Craigieburn and St John’s Church, Wandong. Both the congregations are multicultural, wherein we have families belonging to Australia, migrating from England, South Africa, Fiji, Penang, India, and Sri Lanka.
Being associated with the multicultural community and first-generation migrants, both at the church and the school, I feel like sharing some of my observations.
Culture plays a very important role in our life. It shapes our behaviour, thinking, our overall way of life. Migrants carry along their culture wherever they go. However, while associating with the culture of the land where they settle, they struggle to maintain their own. It is easy advice to leave the old culture and adopt to the new; but it is equally difficult to do so. That is where most of the children of first-generation migrants suffer of a dual identity crisis. While there is a legitimate openness in the western culture, most of the migrants would find it the opposite in their own culture. May it be open talks about differences of opinion, about religious ideas, way of dressing, standing, sitting… the list may go on…
In the short period of time that I have been here, I have learnt no matter what differences we have, the language of love is the same!!
It is the language of love that we express through small little acts or talks – during school pick up and school drop off, or during parent-teacher meetings, or when we suddenly meet at the supermarkets – we exchange a powerful sign that we respect each other, and that we are complete in one another’s company.
Let us continue to use every opportunity to extend hospitality to each other. Let us continue to listen to each other’s stories to add to our wisdom. Let us create an ideal before our children to be accommodative and hospitable while they struggle within themselves, with the challenges as the children of migrants, who on one hand, wish to orient themselves to a western lifestyle, but on the other, struggle to maintain their family culture. As a community, it is our duty to give them confidence, and assurance of God’s and our love.
I am reminded of a bible verse we find in the Old Testament, book of Genesis chapter 22 verse 18, which reads;
“… and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”
God is God of every generation and every nation. Let us continue to spread His love and make this world a welcoming place for everyone!!!
If you feel encouraged to attend Church service, please know that we have two Anglican services on Sundays.
St Peter’s, Craigieburn (meeting at 10:30am on Sundays in the Chapel at Hume Anglican Grammar: 100 Mt Ridley Road, Mickleham)
Minister: Reverend Sheela Pandhare
Mobile: 0451 973 733/03 9308 2452
Email: sheelapandhare@gmail.com / humeparish@gmail.com
http://www.humeparish.melbourneanglican.org.au
Redemption Church Craigieburn (meeting at 4:00pm on Sundays in Building 12 – the Year 5/6 Centre at Hume Anglican Grammar: 100 Mt Ridley Road, Mickleham)
Pastor: Reverend Akhil Gardner
Mobile: 0400 021 381
Email: akhilgardner@gmail.com
https://www.rccraigieburn.com.au
https://www.facebook.com/rccraigieburn/
Prayer
God of all generations, please continue to bless us. Inspire us with your love and help us to fulfil your wish on this earth. In the name of Jesus, we pray.
Amen.