Good Sammy at Messy Church Kalamunda

Sharing resources: what better way to illustrate this Messy Church Holy Habit than to invite Good Sammy Enterprises (GSE) to show us how. 

Good Sammy, a Uniting Church in WA agency, creates employment opportunities for Western Australians with disability. It is better known for its op shops and its collection points for clothes and containers. All this reminds us that we have so much to go around.  

The weather on Saturday, August 17 was dismal. 

Driving towards Kalamunda Uniting Church in the rain, I imagined an event with a guest speaker with no one else coming. My popcorn prayer was “Over to You, Lord. Amen.” 

Paul Schreuders, Philanthropy Manager at Good Sammy, agreed to come and speak.

Not only that, GSE contributed a supply of merchandise to top up donations from  the congregation.  

First, we listened to Paul tell us about Good Samaritan Industries – how many people with disabilities it employs, and how much clothing it diverts from landfill.  

This was followed by Dereck, a member of our congregation who is disabled, has worked at a supported workshop for 53 years. 

While he does not work at Good Sammy’s we used this event as an opportunity for Dereck to share his long service award with his Messy Church family and a little of how his work is important to him.  

Next, we divided into teams with at least one child per group to set up their shops. We had six.

“Storekeepers” priced their goods and displayed them ready for customers. Play money was issued by a banker and participants went shopping, purchasing things to take home.

During celebration we reflected on the joy we experienced in sharing. We also prayed for GSE, those who worked with them, and thanked God for the abundance that goes a long way. We then enjoyed our meal of lasagna and dessert. 

Midway through this activity, a grandmother with two toddlers walked in.  She’d been out purchasing milk and noticed our banner, came in and stayed. She had been part of Messy Church in the UK, so felt right at home. 

Success level: top rate, as you would expect, when handing over to our Lord.

Kalamunda Uniting Messy Church team