Habitat for Humanity hosts “Koinonia Dinner” to help build community

Habitat for Humanity Internatioal vice president of global housing opportunities and mission engagement Natosha Reid Rice (left) speaks to a group of local Habitat for Humanity representatives and members of the St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church congregation July 16.

Building stronger communities and furthering conversations around fellowship were key parts of a special dinner last Thursday evening.

Habitat for Humanity Windsor-Essex host a Koinonia Dinner July 16 at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church with members of Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) leading the event.  

The HFHI is visited Essex County and Windsor last week, with Habitat for Humanity Windsor-Essex director of community outreach Hope Lovell stating local HFH members as well as affiliates in Toronto and Oakland County being part of the event. 

HFHI led the conversation about the spirit of Koinonia, which Lovell explained is about “fellowship, belonging, and breaking down barriers that keep us from working together to build stronger communities.”

HFHI vice president of global housing opportunities and mission engagement Natosha Reid Rice, manager of community and mission engagement Joshua Rogers and director of learning and development Hope Eady led the discussions and posed questions to the group, which also included members of the St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church congregation.

A large crowd attended a Koinonia Dinner at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church July 16.

Rev. Shirley Carleton thanked Habitat for Humanity representatives for attending, noting they help build communities for people to flourish. The Koinonia Dinner was held in Amherstburg because of the upcoming build, which will be located just off of Middle Side Road (County Road 10). The project will result in 18 new homes as part of a 50-home community.

“Habitat for Humanity seeks to put God’s will into action,” added Rev. Carleton.

“While we’re gathering in Amherstburg because of our upcoming build there, the conversation is really about people, relationships, and the values that have guided Habitat since its beginning,” said Lovell.

Rice said HFH looks for solutions to housing matters, and that local solutions matter in the overall picture.

“Things that happen at the local level can influence things globally,” she told people in the packed auditorium of the church. “You are now part of a global ministry and a global movement.”

The word “Koinonia” is a Greek word meaning “coming together” and noted they have been held all over the world. Habitat for Humanity is in its 50^th year, she added, and she said they want to not just build homes but foster community.

Rice, Eady and Rogers asked questions such as what core values were passed down from previous generations, what is an issue that changed people’s minds in the last few years and how to support and respect each other even when they don’t agree on an issue.

“Everything had a purpose, everything had a reason,” Rogers said of the questions. 

Rogers added “you can’t build a community without knowing your neighbours” and they are working to put “human into humanity.”

Habitat for Humanity hosts “Koinonia Dinner” to help build community

By Ron Giofu