Originally from Wolverhampton I have lived for over 20 years in a privileged borough just north of Stockholm, Sweden. Like many similar Swedish boroughs, we have recently been joined by varous groups of refugees. Unfortunately in my work as a musician, teacher, and researcher I travel me far and wide, and I have not yet had the opportunity to contribute direcly to the local community.
My wife and I are both keen gardeners. We understand the notion of tending, and are used to at-tending (also in the sense of awaiting God's timing).
I love the idea of tending a community, and your examples give me hope that something might develop here.There are literally hundreds of apple trees in the borough, mostly in private gardens, but very few people look after their trees (or eat their fruit). Some years ago I had a vision of an organisation combining a local apple press, a fruit-tree pruning service, and a cafe selling local produce, staffed by young people new to the community offered training and support as they adjusted to life in the North. Just yesterday I discovered that such an organisation now exists (although without the cafe), and that it also helps to run a recently opened art space in the local shopping centre!
More than anything I'm interested in contributing to the establishment of peaceful relationships around me, based (among other things) on the idea of the conviviality of diversity.
Hi Sam, this is such an inspirational and encouraging piece. Thanks for putting it together!
Thanks Mark 🙏🏽 I am curious what resonates with you and what comes up for you when you think of tending in your context?
Originally from Wolverhampton I have lived for over 20 years in a privileged borough just north of Stockholm, Sweden. Like many similar Swedish boroughs, we have recently been joined by varous groups of refugees. Unfortunately in my work as a musician, teacher, and researcher I travel me far and wide, and I have not yet had the opportunity to contribute direcly to the local community.
My wife and I are both keen gardeners. We understand the notion of tending, and are used to at-tending (also in the sense of awaiting God's timing).
I love the idea of tending a community, and your examples give me hope that something might develop here.There are literally hundreds of apple trees in the borough, mostly in private gardens, but very few people look after their trees (or eat their fruit). Some years ago I had a vision of an organisation combining a local apple press, a fruit-tree pruning service, and a cafe selling local produce, staffed by young people new to the community offered training and support as they adjusted to life in the North. Just yesterday I discovered that such an organisation now exists (although without the cafe), and that it also helps to run a recently opened art space in the local shopping centre!
More than anything I'm interested in contributing to the establishment of peaceful relationships around me, based (among other things) on the idea of the conviviality of diversity.
Thanks again for your Substack!