Side by Side, Hand in Hand

Yesterday I was chatting with Jacquie, a colleague from my school-teaching days, about the staff we used to work with… our differences and strengths. Young enthusiastic teachers brought energy and freshness… experienced professionals with their wisdom and knowledge… the invaluable contribution of caring support staff. All were good adult role models to the children.

The musician and the scientist, the relaxed easy-going and the stickler for details, the extrovert on the stage and the workshop craftsman were all important in the team, all played their part in our school community.

I was brought up with a good model of community in church. ‘Elders’ cared for us, cared about us and taught us; mums organised activities for the children; youth leaders enabled us to enjoy teenage adventures. Church was a building that we met in; it was also a family of caring people who knew each other well; a community who did stuff together.

Paul McCartney’s frog chorus describe community well:

Win or lose, sink or swim
One thing is certain, we’ll never give in
Side by side, hand in hand
We all stand together.

Since I’ve retired, I’ve seen this frog-chorus-community worked out in our church, at our men’s shed, in our theatre – standing together with care, consistency and a common purpose. We, ordinary people, are at our best when we’re standing together, side by side, hand in hand.

Last night, together with a small group of friends, we read the Prayer of St Francis…  ‘Lord, make me an instrument of your peace…’ As part of a community we play our part, standing beside, holding the hand…

Sometimes it’s more convenient, less effort, to hide away alone, avoiding the side to stand beside, ignoring the hand to hold. ‘…grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive…

Side by side, hand in hand
We all stand together.

Me playing my part.