When we move to a new place, we look at who our neighbours are. We seek like-minded people. Why? That gives us the feeling of being a part of society. Likewise, a society with a large number becomes a community. A relation is a two-way traffic. As we seek comfort from our society, the society as well seeks comfort from us. This comfort can be provided in various ways.

As an immigrant, when we move to a new country, the first thing we look for is a community that is from our home country. We quickly become a part of that community and feel at home away from home. We want to make the migrated country our permanent home in the long run; however, sometimes we hesitate to even adapt to the country’s culture. We want to limit ourselves to only our home country people or culture and unknowingly separate ourselves from the people of the country where we have migrated to.

Of course, we cannot just randomly pick up a conversation with an unknown person at the Town Centre; however, we can always look at places where we can pick up such a conversation and build from there.

For me, it all started when I first arrived here in the UK back in September 2021 from India. A new country, new culture, new people and I felt I was away from my home and comfort zone. I am an introvert, so, no chance I could just make new friends right away. I was still getting used to the cold, depressing weather of London and the early-to-bed life. I came from Mumbai, and I am sure all will understand how much self-adjustment it was.

I wondered how I could fit in this country. I was very conservative about my approach, thinking my thoughts and perceptions might not be accepted, as I am a migrant. I was incorrect there, and my thoughts about community changed when, one Sunday, I just visited our local church. Though on the set, the scenario in the Church of England was completely different from the Catholic Church, which I had visited all my life in India, this place changed my perceptions and my view of a community. I sat in the last pew, looking around the church building and appreciating the architecture and history that ran 100s of years old, when suddenly an elderly couple walking into the church greeted me. They were so genuinely happy to see me, an Asian man, in their church. They introduced themselves to me and started talking about themselves, about the church, and its history. This elderly couple was so eager to introduce me to the other church members and were so excited to see me, as I was one of their family members. Time went by, and I never realised that by the end of the service, I was smiling and talking to people whom I did not even know a couple of hours ago. This small incident changed my life completely here in the UK.

I started going to the church regularly. I worked throughout the week and always looked forward towards the Sunday morning service, wherein I could meet my new church family, share my week and get to know about theirs. With time, I got to know each of the church members by name and started to actively participate in the small activities, which could reach out to many people in society in general. These activities opened opportunities for me to know the people of the United Kingdom and Great Britain far better. I felt not only comforted at home away from my home, but I also felt peace and tranquillity when I could make the people around me in the community smile with a small participation in any activity or even just a general smile and a greeting. I couldn’t realise how much time would have passed by since September 2021, my first visit to the church till today. Willingly being a part of the community and serving has rewarded me with becoming a valued member of the Parochial Church Council and representing my church as a member of the Deanery Synod. By serving the community here in London, in the Borough of Harrow, for a little over 4.5 years now, I feel extremely proud to be an Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Officer for our local church, and I feel more responsible towards my community, which I would not have felt if I were in my home country.

I feel we as human beings should always look to be a part of the larger community, wherein we can serve them to feel the inner joy and peace, rather than just receiving it from the community through social gatherings and events. This makes one feel more responsible as a person, as a citizen, and most importantly as a human being.