Living Social Justice

In this chapter, Richard presents what God’s heart is for children and what outlines practical ideas for how local churches can become FTD-Friendly churches. This includes practical next steps for becoming a first thousand days friendly church. He used the AMOR (love) framework to start discerning next steps as Christ-followers and church leaders AMOR: Awareness; Mobilise; Opportunities; Reaching out

In this chapter we hear from a church leader and congregant who are meaningfully ministering to and stand in the gap for those new parents who need a welcoming space and pastoral care that is not judgemental but loving. Ncumisa and Ziba share their story of standing in the gap and becoming a FTD-Friendly Church and how they are creating a community of support around parents, including single mothers and teenage mothers.

This chapter discusses why we -the church – should care? Sarah unpacks rationale behind why the first thousand days of life is so relevant to all local churches. Discussing the mission of God and how it connects to the first thousand days. As well as what is happening in the Church in South Africa and how is it perfectly positioned to play a significant role. Common Good’s research concluded that “the local church is uniquely positioned and equipped to make a significant impact in nurturing our children’s full potential by supporting their development in the first thousand days of life” (Link to download the research report: https://www.commongood.org.za/early-life/)

Jane & Angelique share their unique stories of motherhood and the support they have received from the community around them, their adoption journey, and transitioning in the church community and how they received practical support from friends and church community.

Adjusting to parenting is life challenging. Dean & Jess vulnerably share how significantly their lives changed following the arrival of their son and how their church community rallied around them to practically support and care for them in these early days.

Ruth talks about how we are all hard wired for connection and the impact of quality relationships in the first thousand days. She refers to the nurturing care framework and how it truly does take a modern-day village to raise a child. In this talk Ruth makes reference to a short video of the “Still face experiment” [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apzXGEbZht0&t=2]

Sarah asks the question “are we paying enough attention to the beginning of the story?” As referenced in this video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHqUMqvL1RQ&t=12s] Sarah gives an overview of the science and critical importance of these early years and the significant opportunity of the First Thousand Days of a child’s life (conception till 2 years)

Rich and Lux chat about their convictions when it comes to friendships that cross cultural lines, their own personal experiences, and why we should say ‘wow’ before we say ‘how’.

This podcast series is all about us getting a better understanding of the lived reality of people in Cape Town and their experience of land and space. So many times, the topic of land can be spoken about at a head level, quoting facts and statistics. Other times, it is so emotive that people switch off when engaging. So we want to listen to people’s stories to help us understand the heart of the matter from people who have first hand experience of this. Now we know that we can’t interview every person, and every story and situation is unique. We are not trying to summarize every story into a few. Nor are our storytellers trying to represent anybody else other than themselves.

This podcast series is all about us listening to the stories of people living in Cape Town who have been affected in some way by land. So many times we can talk about land in dry academic, legal or financial terms. But when we lean in and listen to real lives, our hearts are softened to the reality and experience that we may be completely unaware of. We hope that you have conversations with friends, colleagues and neighbours to better grapple with the heart of the matter of land in South Africa. If this is your first podcast in this series, just a disclaimer: every story and situation is unique. We are not trying to represent anybody else’s story other than our storytellers.

This podcast series is all about us getting a better understanding of the lived reality of people in Cape Town and their experience of land and space. So many times, the topic of land can be spoken about at a head level, quoting facts and statistics. Other times, it is so emotive that people switch off when engaging. So we want to listen to people’s stories to help us understand the heart of the matter from people who have first hand experience of this. Now we know that we can’t interview every person, and every story and situation is unique. We are not trying to summarize every story into a few. Nor are our storytellers trying to represent anybody else other than themselves.

This podcast series is all about us getting a better understanding of the lived reality of people in Cape Town and their experience of land and space. So many times, the topic of land can be spoken about at a head level, quoting facts and statistics. Other times, it is so emotive that people switch off when engaging. So we want to listen to people’s stories to help us understand the heart of the matter from people who have first hand experience of this. Now we know that we can’t interview every person, and every story and situation is unique. We are not trying to summarize every story into a few. Nor are our storytellers trying to represent anybody else other than themselves.

As we grapple with the big topic of land in South Africa, we have to be listening to the stories of people who have been affected by this. It is so easy to get caught up in political statements, economics, legal arguments and statistics. The big idea about this podcast series is to help us listen to people in our midst. We want to hear the heart of this matter and allow it to shape our response. Now we can’t interview every person and we know that every story and situation is unique. So we are not trying to summarize every story, or draw generalizations from one to another. Instead, we are simply listening, learning and engaging. Welcome to the Living Social Justice podcast series on Land.

Christy Wheeler chats to Jason and Kate who volunteer at the Zanokhanyo Network- they talk about about gifting time, helping with CV's, mock interviews and celebrating graduations.

Paul Maughan chats to the Paradigm Shift volunteer team from Common Ground Church Greenpoint, about gifting time, growing potential and developing entrepreneurs.

Richard Lundie. Kasuba Stuurman (TZN Communications Manager) and Nomfundo Calana (TZN Opportunities Manager) chat about the ways in which business has a role to play in work readiness, from hiring grads, offering internships and partnering through CSI funding

Chris and Mel chat to Jonathan Wild, about Diversity Dinners (a church event in the Southern Suburbs)and crossing boundaries, no matter how small they may appear.

Sharon chats to the Maughan siblings, Debbie, Karyn and Paul, about dignity, privilege and opening your eyes to the injustice around you.

Sharon chats to Brandon and Shantelle, elders in the Rondebosch congregation, about the ministry of Social Justice in their church, their own personal histories, and the intersect between the Word of God and our context.

In the month of June, we will be shining a spotlight on the work of our Opportunities Team at TZN (www.commongood.org.za/employment/) by sharing stories from our congregants, pastors, TZN graduates and staff of how God is orchestrating meaningful work and how you could be a part of it! This episode features Amanda Stevens, who is an integral part of the staff team in Wynberg and Grant Greef, a Common Grounder who has been a part of making it possible for graduates to be trained in hospitality. IF YOU CAN CONNECT A GRADUATE TO AN OPPORTUNITY visit www.commongood.org.za/employment/placement-form/ FOR MORE ON GRANT'S BUSINESS https://www.ehire.co.za/