George MacLeod famously said, ‘only a demanding common task builds community’, and … we repeat this with a groan as we clean toilets or chop vegetables together. But in our hearts, we know it’s true. We know from experience that the quality of relationship, of trust, of mutual respect and increased understanding is significantly different when we have to depend on others as partners in a shared venture or common cause. Real communion, koinonia, is only possible when we are able to be honest with one another, to admit our vulnerability and need, to share our struggles as well as our achievements, to disagree deeply and yet remain in relationship and work through our differences.

Kathy Galloway, from Down the Track