Abstract

MARAIS, Janneke A.. Moving from diaconate of well-being to restorative justice: A case study - COVID-19. Verbum Eccles. (Online) [online]. 2023, vol.44, n.1, pp.1-9. ISSN 2074-7705.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/ve.v44i1.2788.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, the Dutch Reformed congregation Toringkerk in Paarl longed to reach out to people within the local community who were in extreme need. The congregation felt powerless because of the containment and the extent of the need in poorer communities in Paarl. The general feeling was that networks should be set up in the local community, but no one knew how to start this. An innovative process of Diaconia (Service Group of the Western Cape Synod) and the Research Office (Western Cape Synod), called 'Hidden Treasures', was implemented to help the congregation with this. The result exceeded the congregation's expectations. In this article, the methodology of the Hidden Treasures process is evaluated based on the Dutch Reformed Church's intention to move from welfare to restorative justice. Suggestions are also made about how the methodology can be improved. Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This study, born out of the 2020 pandemic, has the potential to fundamentally influence the missionary diaconate of congregations. The challenge that arose for the church regarding the missional question during the pandemic period about the need among individuals and families in local communities, drew some particularly important fields of study closer together, i.e. practical theology, diaconal studies, as well as social work, development studies and sociology.

Keywords : networks; communities; missional; restorative justice; missio Dei.

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