Cuppa of a Lifetime in Ulverstone
Cuppa of a Lifetime in Ulverstone
24 August 2022
A Lifetime morning tea in full swing at Ulverstone Corps in Tasmania.
Catching up over a cuppa has long been a way for Salvos to connect with the community. And in Ulverstone, in Tasmania’s northwest, the re-emergence of their Lifetime ministry has quickly become a safe place for people looking to belong.
“Lifetime had been running at Ulverstone Corps for many years,” explains Corps Officer Lieutenant Andrew Webb. “Before COVID-19, it was for lunch, but for many reasons, it is now better for us to run it as a morning tea.
“We aim to provide a safe and friendly space for people in our community to connect and share with each other. We care for people just as they are, with dignity and compassion. We have a short devotional to encourage people to consider God in a positive way.”
The beauty of Lifetime is that it is open to everyone – you don’t have to be a Salvo or a believer to have a seat at the table. Instead, every two weeks, the small team at Ulverstone opens its doors on Victoria Street and displays an enticing range of slices, cakes and coffee to guests. They also provide speakers, musical performances and trivia to keep things interesting. Topics range from healthy living to understanding computer scams.
With up to 30 people attending each time, the message is clear: people are ready to re-engage with the community after the COVID-19 lockdowns and hunger for companionship.
“As with many things, restarting after COVID was carefully considered. We knew many people had lost their regular social activities and were becoming a bit isolated,” says Andrew. “Community is very important in Ulverstone, so we sought to fill that need. We often have attendees contributing jokes, poems and even a solo or two.”
Partnering with other corps and mission expressions across the state’s north-west, the team at Ulverstone sees God at work in their community. They are passionate about working with their local Thrift Shop, Bridge AOD service, community services and home care. And, naturally, they are happy to extend invitations to Lifetime morning tea to community members who come through those streams. In fact, they have already seen fruit from the ministry.
“We believe God’s Spirit is active in the broader community of Ulverstone, and we simply partner in the work,” says Andrew. “Already we have seen people curious to explore faith conversations and participate in other corps gatherings.”
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