b'Director of Missions ReportA smile from a stranger induces little bubbles of joy in my brain. Follow that up with a cup of tea, a comfortable chair and a friendly chat and we have the essence of hospitality. So much that is great about being humanwith which we partner are old hands at hospitality. happens when we feel accepted, welcomedIts in their DNA. Providing food and a place to and invited to share life with others. This kindsit and chat is the foundation of so many of the of hospitality has the potential to calm us, toservices that form part of Uniting.renew and offer hope. It creates an environmentMany will find specific and skilled support in which change is possible - for those invitedat Uniting for the parts of their lives that and those doing the inviting. challenge them. The pages of this annual report I remember the enthusiasm of a volunteer are testament to this. But that initial act of at Unitings BreezeWay community meals hospitality will signal a welcoming and non-service in Ballarat. They were stationed nearjudgemental presence that creates the spacethe door, welcoming people and making sureto share struggles and find hope together.everyone felt at home. I just love working here.When people are inspired and communities Its the highlight of my week. The people areenlivened, then eventually we are not fantastic. And as we enjoyed a delicious mealstrangers anymore.with people who would not otherwise have one, the glow of hospitality was warming everyones hearts, putting smiles on faces as conversations flowed easily.As part of the Uniting Church, our foundationRev John Clarke in the stories of Jesus of Nazareth remindsDirector of Missionus of the times he welcomed strangers and encouraged those on the edge to find life within their community. True hospitality begins with accepting strangers, the inviting and celebratingOur leadership with them and the sheer pleasure of entering into life together. And if we are all a bit differentto each other, that only adds to the interestand conversation.At Uniting, hospitality happens hundreds of times a day in church halls, kindergartens, reception foyers and purpose-built dining rooms like BreezeWay, Hartleys Cafe in Prahran and NoBucks in Hobart, where meals are offered each weekday. So many of the congregations 6 Uniting Vic.Tas Annual Report 2021-2022'