Our students spent 3 weeks in El Salvador learning from our partner, Seeds of a New Creation, about their work in their communities. They listened to teachings from pastors and community leaders, explored sustainable agriculture in rural communities and spent time on service projects with different ministries. The trip was mutually encouraging – a reminder that the kingdom of God is flourishing all over the world. One of our students, Kassia, and Alyssa, a trip leader, take some time to reflect on what this partnership means. 

Kassia Beauchesne, Act Five Student

“We stood in a circle,all holding hands. Delaney, our translator, explained that everyone was going to close their eyes. Music began to play and children’s voices filled the air. The two kids on either side of me swayed out of sync, gently yanking me in opposite directions. The words were foreign to me and there were no screens or booklets to help me sound them out this time. I hadn’t been expecting to be standing there in a time of praise and yet, I felt the spirit of worship in that moment more keenly than any other time I had shown up expectant.

Sometimes, I tried closing my eyes and simply listened, feeling the presence of God in that space. I felt Him the most, though, as I kept them open, looking around the circle. To my left, at one little boy staring up to the sky as he sang, and to my right, in another child with eyes tightly closed and singing with such earnestness and sweet sincerity. I want to remember that expression of childlike devotion. The feeling of being tugged back and forth and having no idea how to sing along. The beautiful illustration of how God is in everything, even (and especially) in the unexpected places. I want to remember the washing over of peace as I felt the permission to stand there in that unexpected place, allowed to simply be and receive. 

Through so many moments during our three weeks in El Salvador, I felt convicted by the example of mission I saw demonstrated by Semillas and their partner ministries. The way they are with the people, not just in the church, but outside of its four walls. In the unexpected places, walking alongside their neighbours. Fully present, fully engaged and incarnated in community.

I saw ministries creating community gardens, teaching youth how to breakdance, helping adults complete their high school degrees, and playing with kids in market squares. Though God was at the heart of all of those ministries, many leaders expressed that others have questioned or pushed back on what they are doing. Ministering through actions rather than words and going to the places we don’t think God is at work, can sometimes go against our assumptions as Christians. 

In El Salvador, I felt a call to model Jesus, be embodied in my communities and place, and open my eyes to the ways He is moving that I might not have expected or seen before.”

 

Alyssa Zilney, Act Five Program Manager

“Our now four-year partnership with Semillas de Nueva Creación is a gift that flows in both directions. This recent trip was my third visit to El Salvador and my first since 2023. I arrived eager to reconnect, to listen, and to learn again from people I’ve grown to love and trust – and the visit did not disappoint.

“Seeds of a New Creation,” as the organization is called in English, is a Salvadoran community development organization rooted in a vision for the New Creation and shaped by the principles of Integral Mission. Integral Mission is a theological framework articulated by Ecuadorian theologian René Padilla at the 1974 Lausanne Congress. At its heart, it insists that the Christian gospel is both proclaimed and embodied – lived out in word and deed – and that these two cannot be separated. Following Jesus means speaking God’s reconciling work and participating in God’s justice, compassion, and restoration in the world. There is no hierarchy between evangelism and social action; rather, all of life falls under the Lordship of Jesus.

Integral Mission is holistic in its reach, incarnational in its grounding in Jesus’ life among the marginalized, and deeply contextual in the way it is shaped by real places and people. Semillas is a beautiful and collaborative example of what this looks like when it’s lived-out in a particular context and in particular communities.

There is much alignment between the vision of Semillas and the vision of Act Five. We, too, long to see local churches animated by a gospel that is deeply relational, rooted in place, and generative. At Act Five, we invite young adults along on a journey that stretches their imagination for what life can look like when it is shaped by the broad, unfolding story of Scripture and the hope of new creation. Semillas does similar work with local churches in El Salvador, nurturing an imagination for a restored world, and empowering communities to work toward it on their own land, with their own people.

While this partnership is an immense gift to us – the vast amount of learning, new experiences, relationship-building across differences, and new perspectives formed – our visits also matter for our hosts in El Salvador. They get to show us the goodness and beauty of their own country, the ways they see God’s homemaking and reconciling movements unfolding in their own places. This is not small. Early in the trip, I spoke with our students about the way many countries that have struggled economically have been made to feel small or disposable on the global stage. In El Salvador, our students encountered people who love their place and are proud of it and are eager to share it. 

Getting to be the recipients of that joy, hospitality, and love, and then sharing it back in the form of curiosity, encouragement, and story is a beautiful thing. It nurtures dignity, mutuality, and hope. It reminds us that global relationships, when rooted in respect and reciprocity, can be life-giving in both directions.

And so I return to the name: Semillas de Nueva Creación—Seeds of a New Creation. The new creation is the reign of a good God made manifest on earth: integrated and whole. Therefore, the work is plentiful – it can go in any direction and has ample creative potential. Its expression is not limited to sermons and prayers and bible studies. It is realized in relationships, in ecological agriculture that heals both people and land, in work with children that interrupts cycles of violence, and so much more. It is about building a world that is exhibiting love in all directions. Through people, communities, and the local church – this kind of mission is a call for all of us.

Semillas works against the grain, against the current in their own context – even within the church it is hard to find support for this work, which requires courage, imagination, and long obedience.

This trip sparked our own imaginations for what a new creation could look like in our places. If you would like to learn more about the work of Semillas in El Salvador, you can do so here.”

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Instructions to the Ancient Israelites

Leviticus 25: 1-7

The Lord spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai, saying, ² “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: When you enter the land that I am giving you, the land shall observe a Sabbath for the Lord. ³ Six years you shall sow your field, and six years you shall prune your vineyard and gather in their yield, ⁴ but in the seventh year there shall be a Sabbath of complete rest for the land, a Sabbath for the Lord: you shall not sow your field or prune your vineyard. ⁵ You shall not reap the aftergrowth of your harvest or gather the grapes of your unpruned vine: it shall be a year of complete rest for the land. ⁶ You may eat what the land yields during its Sabbath—you, your male and female slaves, your hired and your bound laborers who live with you, ⁷ for your livestock also, and for the wild animals in your land all its yield shall be for food.

Cool principle, right!?

I’ve frequently been inspired by this (often overlooked) instruction to the ancient Israelites in the biblical narrative. God invites them into an earth-affirming and trust-enhancing practice here – let the ground rest. Eat what grows naturally, do not put in more work than necessary. Let the land produce at its own pace, on its own power. 

But it doesn’t stop there. God promises to provide food even when the people halt their efforts to improve the land or increase the harvest. “Should you ask, ‘What shall we eat in the seventh year, if we may not sow or gather in our crop?’ I will order my blessing for you in the sixth year, so that it will yield a crop for three years… when its produce comes in, you shall eat the old.” (Leviticus 25:20-21). God’s creation and provision is abundant, and it is enough.

An Invitation for Act Five

It’s not always wise to extrapolate modern applications from ancient biblical texts without careful exegesis. However, there’s something beautiful and intriguing about how this principle, or vision, might act as a metaphor that reaches beyond the realms of agriculture and homesteading. I wonder if the spirit imbued in this text can be a spirit that indwells our work as we live our lives here alongside the “landscape” that is Act Five. 

As Act Five enters its 7th year, I have been considering the question:

“What could it look like to live this vision out here, in Hamilton, at Act Five, in 2025?” 

How might we take time to observe and enjoy what has been created? What does it mean for us to “eat what the land yields” if the “land” is Act Five and its “yield” is the fruit of our last six years? 

“…there’s something beautiful and intriguing about how this principle, or vision, might act as a metaphor…”

Discerning with Open Hands

In the year ahead, we sense God’s invitation to wait, to notice, and to trust. This year we will observe what has been planted, enjoy the fruit of what has grown, and trust God to bring the harvest. We celebrate our six years of input that has led to this. We continue in our mission and remain steady in our Gap Year and Residency programming to provide the trellis within which our young adults can grow through hands-on learning, mentorship, improvisation, and intentional daily living. After all, a trellis doesn’t make the plant grow – it simply provides the structure and support for healthy flourishing. 

Alongside our students and residents, we will explore how themes of creation, Sabbath, jubilee, and celebration can shape our imaginations for life in the world. And we trust that God will continue to provide as we navigate another year of life here.

I invite you to pray, follow along, or join us in some way. We are eager for all that lies ahead: for our staff; for our external initiatives; and most of all, for the 12 young adults who will join our community this fall as students and residents.

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Summer in the Act Five Office – Alyssa Zilney

Summer at Act Five doesn’t usually make the highlight reel—but it’s quietly essential. The house feels quieter without students, and the weekly rhythms of meals, classes, and community life. Yet, the summer months hold space for something just as important: rest, reflection, and preparation. On the back-end of our organization, lots is happening, but it’s a different kind of happening than the rest of the year.

For me, this season is about perspective. We take on different projects, fresh to-do lists, and find our way to things we haven’t had time for—like cleaning our desks and organizing our filing cabinets. Summer is also when we begin dreaming again. We pull up from the action of the past 10 months to gain insight and take time to wonder and imagine.

“Summer is when we begin dreaming again.”

We hold some rhythms together as a staff team, too. Twice a week, our mornings begin with prayer on the porch, centred around a psalm we’ve selected for that week. On Wednesday afternoons, a few staff members garden together in the backyard. We join for Spaghetti Wednesday every other week. During this time, our external team visits camps and youth groups. They meets with partners and builds relationships over coffee, teaching lessons and talking about the good and the real aspects of Act Five. Then, at some point each of us takes vacation. 

The summer should feel spacious. At its best, this time of year holds for us a slow rhythm of rest and repeat. Like Sabbath, it’s not empty, but full in a different kind of way. A season to lay things down for a while so we’re ready to pick them up again in August—with clarity, intention, and joy.

We’re reading books, too! Here are our staff picks this summer:

• Sapiens by Yuval Harari
• Presence in the Modern World by Jacques Ellul
• Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen
• Try Softer by Aundi Kolber
• Run with the Horses by Eugene Peterson

Summer at 75 Blake Street – Erin Steckley

The Act Five staff are not the only ones practising rhythms of slowness and paying attention. So too are the residents living at 75 Blake St this summer. With fewer people in the home, there is a quietness that looks and feels different than what you might observe during the rest of the year. In this quietness though, there is still a community of young adults engaging in the discipline of “showing up.” In between summer jobs and other commitments that take us to different places throughout the day and week, there are meaningful opportunities to gather together. Together we enjoy the season, and engage in rhythms and practices that reflect the values and vision of Act Five. 

An important gathering point for the summer community is Sunday Evensong. This remains a time and place to end our weekend and begin our new week together in prayer and worship. Throughout the week, we have other prayer touchpoints: sitting together on the porch in the cool of the early morning. We recite the familiar daybreak liturgy from Every Moment Holy as we watch our Blakeley neighbours walk their dogs, head out to work, or glance excitedly at new additions to our Little Library. 

Our neighbours matter to us—both those we already know, and those we don’t know as well. Wednesday night dinners are also an essential part of the summer community’s life. Twice a month, we share spaghetti and stories from our week with new and old friends. The other two weeks are for catching up over a meal with our neighbours down the road at Micah House. In a world where resources and time feel scarce, Wednesdays remind us of God’s abundance.

“Summer at Blake St is a space to savour…”

In between the anchors of scheduled meals and prayer times, we find ourselves practising rhythms of spontaneity and delight—everything from catching up on the porch to watching a show together to trying out new ice cream flavours at Willard’s. Summer at Blake St is a space to savour—time, friendships, and the berries in our garden.

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My placement this year at New Hope Community Bikes has shown me what it looks like when values are put into practice in tangible, physical ways. This has been true both through my own actions, and the example of others. My job here has been pretty straightforward; work with bikes. Arriving at New Hope, I did not have prior experience with bikes, and the staff took the time to educate me on the various skills required to be useful there. As a result, I have repaired bikes, taken apart bikes, and tuned up bikes. I have learned about the different tools required to complete the job well, and I have learned bicycle-specific language as well. Now I know what a “derailleur” is! I was even able to transfer this tangible skill to repair my own bike. 

I’ve learned that getting my hands dirty and getting my body moving is so important for my whole being to be well.

It has been a wonderful experience to work with my hands through all of this and see tangible evidence of my labour. I’ve experienced some of what it means to physically live out meaningful work. Not only that, but I’ve been noticing the community that makes up New Hope. The staff know the names of their customers and make a conscious effort to make these people feel welcome not only in the front of the store, but also in the shop. This open attitude has encouraged me even more to know people and their stories. 

The mission at New Hope Community Bikes is this:
“New Hope Community Bikes is a learning hub for building and repairing bikes, offering safe cycling education, providing access to affordable transportation, and fostering a rich and inclusive cycling community.”

Basically, they want to build a community around bikes. I can see so clearly how they actively do this, through their choices, their words, and how they interact with each and every one of the people who come through the door. Every person who enters the shop is treated like they belong. Whether it be customer, friend, employee or volunteer, all are welcome.

The openness of the storefront, and the welcoming environment of the workshop are embodied through practical, hands-on work and relationship-building. It builds community. I look forward to seeing the ways in which I can bring this spirit of welcoming and community into my own life.

Not only this, but they really make it practical. They teach kids to ride bikes safely, teach people how to repair their own bikes and organize group rides so that people can do together. You can really see how they make an effort to build community through physical activity as well as through conversation and interaction. The openness of the storefront, and the welcoming environment of the workshop are embodied through practical, hands-on work and relationship-building. It builds community. I look forward to seeing the ways in which I can bring this spirit of welcoming and community into my own life.

This really seems to connect to some of the things that Act Five has taught me. One of the things that I’ve learned during my time at Act Five is just how much the physical can affect the mental and the spiritual as well. For example, we have time in our schedule set aside specifically to care for our bodies (literally called “body care”). I’ve learned that getting my hands dirty and getting my body moving is so important for my whole being to be well. Whether I’m going for a bike ride, digging in the garden, doing a workout, or fixing something with my hands, these physical activities have helped me notice and understand how I’m doing—spiritually, mentally and emotionally. This knowledge is something that I hope to carry with me into the future.

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In response to this reality, the students have the opportunity to learn about justice as a part of God’s restorative action to expand his kingdom of shalom. In fact, not only do they learn about justice, but they are invited to live into it, by helping usher in the justice of God’s kingdom now in their day-to-day. 

Two of our students took some time to reflect on what justice has come to mean to them personally, and how their placements (at the Hamilton Central Library and New Hope Community Bikes) allow them to see the work of justice firsthand, and to participate in it. 

Miranda – Hamilton Central Library 

Online definitions would say that justice is the idea that individuals should be treated fairly. To take it further, I think it is more about treating people with equity and equality. I believe that justice is a large part of God’s plan of shalom, where the oppressed and marginalized are celebrated and protected. Justice is where those with privilege help those without. 

I have been blessed to have a placement at the Central Branch of the Hamilton Public Library. The library is a fantastic example of a place that I think embodies justice and shalom. Located in the heart of Hamilton, the library is smack dab in the middle of large office buildings with corporate people working their white collar jobs. It is also an area that is home to a large portion of Hamilton’s houseless population. Yet the library manages to cater well to both of those populations, as well as everyone in-between. 

The library is open from 8am-midnight most days of the week. In the winter, homeless people will come in and hang out because it’s one of the few places that they can exist in shelter and warmth. The library also has a learning center for newcomers to Canada who don’t speak much English and need help. Along with that, they run programs and support groups for young adults who are learning to live without their parents, for those with mental health challenges and for members of the LGBTQ+ community. It is also possible to take free courses at Mohawk college through the public library so that students can figure out the right path for themselves without having to pay lots of money. The library even has a program to bring library materials right to people’s houses if they can’t come themselves. 

At the most basic level, the library has books, DVDs and magazines on every topic. This enables people to learn about history, their culture, and the world all for free, supplying both fiction and non fiction options for people. Indigenous people can learn about their culture and history even if it’s not something their family is connected to and queer people can explore their identity safely. As simple as that is, spreading knowledge allows justice to grow. It really is such a beautiful thing to me and a gift I doubt most people realize. 

In a world that seems to think justice is always loud, the library works for justice in a quiet way that flies under the radar. I love this about the library. The library is such a resource for so many people and is a real sanctuary. I work with a team of people called “pages” at the library. We’re the ones who run the behind the scenes with the material, finding books, putting away books and organizing books, so basically just a lot of books. I love that after 18 years of loving the library, I now get to work with the people who make sure the library can do everything it does. It’s been so cool to see and be a part of all the moving pieces that the members don’t see. Each day I am privileged to work there, I thank God that the library exists and is a truly good entity in our city. 

“In a world that seems to think justice is always loud, the library works for justice in a quiet way that flies under the radar.”

Liam – New Hope Community Bikes

When I think of justice it can be hard to think of just one definition that encapsulates its entirety. But I can say that I think justice can be a lifestyle. When you go about your daily life there are opportunities for us everywhere to observe justice and to take part in it. A lifestyle of justice to me is one where we help out the needy, one where we don’t spend too much money, or spend too much time on our devices. We have the opportunity to live our lives choosing to go against those social norms that are designed to benefit few and hurt many. In doing so, we get the chance to remake the injustice that is in our world and turn it into something that benefits more than the one percent.

My placement this year is with New Hope Community Bikes. They are a not-for-profit bike shop. Their mission is to get a bike in the hands of everyone and anyone, no matter their financial status. During my placement I get to do all sorts of things. I learn how to fix bikes; dismantling them for parts or refurbishing bikes so they can be sold. I also do a lot of organizing to prepare the shop for the busy season when it warms up and people start biking more. Every time, I get to do something new! 

I believe that justice is woven into the fabric of what New Hope does. New Hope Bikes seeks to give everyone the opportunity to ride a bike, no matter their financial status, which I think falls in line with restorative justice. It’s a hard goal to achieve, though. They try to have their prices for bikes and parts as low as possible. Unfortunately, because of a system of oppression to the poor that exists in our world it can be hard for New Hope to be able to accommodate these people for whom cost is a barrier. I often see people come in with their bike, and the mechanics are only able to fix one thing about the bike. There might be ten other things broken, but they can’t be totally fixed because of the cost.

One way that New Hope Bikes is trying to attend to this injustice is by hosting fundraisers and taking donations. The team at New Hope plan many fundraising events where they spread awareness to the need for bikes, and where they collect donations that go directly into lowering their costs. They often will get donations of bikes which they will use for parts and scraps, or to build more inventory.

Another way they work to provide justice for all is through their pay-it-forward system. When someone comes to visit the shop or buys a bike, they can donate a little bit extra. This money will go to helping cover the repair costs for those who don’t have means to pay for their bike to be fixed.

I believe that there is a lot of work that New Hope is doing to reverse the economic injustice in this world, but like all of us, we can’t do it alone. As I have been inspired by my placement, I would encourage anyone who is reading this to consider even small ways you can make changes in your life to better rewrite injustices.

As Miranda and Liam so beautifully pointed out, movements of justice-seeking are happening everywhere around us. Where might you be called not only to see injustices, but to do the work of justice and help in creating shalom in your own communities? 

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