The Canberra Community Has a Body and a Soul: Early Morning Centre, Canberra City Uniting Church

By Luti, Early Morning Centre Volunteer

Ever since I came to Canberra in 1970, I have been told that Canberra is a dead city – meaning, too quiet, no fun and boring!  The people are too busy and self absorbed.

What is needed is for someone to break the ice. Talk to your neighbours and friends.

The most heartbreaking part is watching the homeless people living around the city within the church’s Pilgrim Plaza block.  In 1970 they were lucky as there were lots of trees and long grass, high enough to sleep under, and also newspapers.

Today they sleep on the chairs and the ground. Thank God someone decided to start the Early Morning Centre (EMC) at the City Uniting Church.

Provided is breakfast, morning tea and coffee. The committee who run the Early Morning Centre (EMC) need your support with finance and strength to keep the mission going for the people in your community.

Now in 2016, personal care (showers) and laundry services as well as breakfast are provided. How good is that! So great! Thanks to the people that help the EMC Committee.

To be honest, it’s not so easy to wake up at 6 am on your day off from work to go and serve breakfast, but when you get there your community people come in and sit and enjoy their breakfast, talk, laugh with their friends and request takeaway for later. Toast or pancakes, fruit salad and yogurt or coffee.

Talking with confidence, everyone is very happy and says “Thank you”. It just makes your day and uplifts your spirit. It brings tears to your eyes and you feel great. I thank God I came the Early Morning Centre to experience the feeling of all the people who give their time and effort to do any mission like serving breakfast for the people you love in the community.

Please, have a heart and support the EARLY MORNING CENTRE: your City, your Mission.