This year the theme of the Christmas services at King's Church London is 'Arms Wide Open' and as a practical demonstration of the theme we are going to be providing Hampers for families who are in need. The main distribution will be through the Lewisham social services teams who are working with children at risk and those on protection. One of the social services managers said "please thank the church for thinking of our families". Until I met with one of the staff I had no idea how many families are in this position. I know that the hampers will go to some very needy people.
Here is the plan for how people are going to provide hampers. Very shortly we will produce a 'shopping list' which will be a mixture of everyday essentials plus Christmas treats. And my dream is that groups of friends or families or people in community groups or perhaps in your work place will get together and buy the items so that they can fill a box and bring that to King's Church (Catford, Lee or Downham) on the 4th and 11th December. Perhaps you can tell me your story of how you get involved in producing a hamper, perhaps it is your football team or knitting group, your youth group or community group.
But you don't have to provide a whole hamper. It may be that people bring only a few items or part of a hamper and that will work great because people can bring their items to King's on the 4th and 11th December and add it together with other part hampers to make whole ones. It means everyone can get involved whether it is one tin or one whole hamper.
The Hampers will have a message that reads "Happy Christmas, with love from King's Church".
Look out for the information that is being given out in the next few weeks. This is going to be a brilliant way of demonstrating our Arms are Wide Open to people in need this Christmas.
Tuesday, 8 November 2011
Sunday, 30 October 2011
Life in Catford - Lasting Fruit
The challenge of leading a project like the Jericho Road Project is that much of what I do is now through others rather than getting to do it myself. I mean that I help others to help others! However I started doing this work because I really like working with rough sleepers, alcoholics or in fact anyone who is down trodden and rejected people around them and now I get limited opportunities to do this. Last Wednesday gave me such a moment.
A group of 9 young men from King's Church joined us at the Feast for the evening. I took the opportunity to take 3 of them on a tour of rough sleeping spots in Catford. To be honest I am a little out of touch who is where but I knew enough to know where to go. But after looking though a few car parks and some more specific spots we had met no-one and we were walking back to King's Church, when on the steps of Catford Bridge station we met Neil (don't worry, as always I've not given you the name he told me). This man was drunk and collapsed, looking like he was staying for the night. He didn't know how to get back to his flat, couldn't face the future and encapsulated everything I love about working with drunks. He had great stories to tell of crimes, of prison, the pain he felt about his son going to Afghanistan, he couldn't face sleeping in his flat so he slept in a cemetery. We hit it off immediately. Some of his story made no sense at all, some of the addiction story was scripted from the manuals, he was charming and offensive at the same time. He talked about how hard a man he was, yet all I met was a lonely lost man desperate for hope. He had no problem believing there was a God but there was no peace in his heart. Sure if someone had threatened him, he would have attacked first but all we met was a weak and broken man. So we helped him to get to the correct platform to get a train home.
It was a delight to be doing what I've always loved doing. This week I will follow up with Neil and try to provide help. But the lasting fruit is probably with the 3 young men who were with me. Life looks very different when you view it from the bottom of the pile and for a short while we shared this man's pain, we walked with him and experienced the frustration and confusion he felt. We watched how others reacted to him. I hope that this man's years of destruction will provoke this group of young men to dream big dreams for how they live their lives and how they help others.
A group of 9 young men from King's Church joined us at the Feast for the evening. I took the opportunity to take 3 of them on a tour of rough sleeping spots in Catford. To be honest I am a little out of touch who is where but I knew enough to know where to go. But after looking though a few car parks and some more specific spots we had met no-one and we were walking back to King's Church, when on the steps of Catford Bridge station we met Neil (don't worry, as always I've not given you the name he told me). This man was drunk and collapsed, looking like he was staying for the night. He didn't know how to get back to his flat, couldn't face the future and encapsulated everything I love about working with drunks. He had great stories to tell of crimes, of prison, the pain he felt about his son going to Afghanistan, he couldn't face sleeping in his flat so he slept in a cemetery. We hit it off immediately. Some of his story made no sense at all, some of the addiction story was scripted from the manuals, he was charming and offensive at the same time. He talked about how hard a man he was, yet all I met was a lonely lost man desperate for hope. He had no problem believing there was a God but there was no peace in his heart. Sure if someone had threatened him, he would have attacked first but all we met was a weak and broken man. So we helped him to get to the correct platform to get a train home.
It was a delight to be doing what I've always loved doing. This week I will follow up with Neil and try to provide help. But the lasting fruit is probably with the 3 young men who were with me. Life looks very different when you view it from the bottom of the pile and for a short while we shared this man's pain, we walked with him and experienced the frustration and confusion he felt. We watched how others reacted to him. I hope that this man's years of destruction will provoke this group of young men to dream big dreams for how they live their lives and how they help others.
Thursday, 13 October 2011
The Big Ask
I guess that all milestones create feelings of reflection and/or plans for the future. So whether it is birthdays, new year or anniversaries there is a moment to wonder what has been and what will be. I must admit that I am far more likely to look forward than look back. I genuinely do not remember most of the bad things that have happened in the last 10 years, others have to remind me. So today I looked through a couple of hundred photos of the events of last weekend, and there are some fabulous photos. If I was slightly more technically savvy and had a little more patience (and time!) to get the selection right I would be linking you to my facebook page to see the photos. Perhaps tomorrow!
The photos got me thinking again about the amazing people that I get to work with. People from all backgrounds and experiences are in the pictures. There are people that until recently were using cardboard as a mattress behind shopping centres. There are people who give many hours every week voluntarily to help homeless and vulnerable people get a fab 3 course meal or get their flat cleaned up. There are others who provide us with housing which means we are able to house homeless people.
But it was while I was away at a church leadership event this week that it struck me that I get to make the Big Ask of lots of people very regularly. I ask a lot of my residents hopefully with the right level of support; I ask a lot of my volunteers and I try very hard to express my Thanks; I ask a lot of the team (3 of us in total) who are employed by the Jericho Road Project. And there are others but I realised that while I was comfortable making the Big Ask for all those mentioned, I am not as good at making the Big Ask when it comes to money. I probably feel happier asking for houses than pounds. There are reasons for this, I have always wanted the work I do to be told in stories and then because we have credibility, people would want to give to the Project. This has been the case and regularly people give to the Project. I have had a reluctance to go down the grants route, concerned that it requires lots of time and then lots of time convincing someone that you are doing your job correctly and then the funding stops. I prefer fundraising that is sustainable, the Caring Christmas Trees are an example of this with customers who come back year after year.
However there are great opportunities ahead of us that hinge on fresh financial input. For example we can with volunteers run a Money Advice Centre on an annual budget of 2.5K which by anyone's calculation is value for money. But am I able to make the Big Ask?
There is though an even bigger Ask - Am I going to pray that God would provide this and much more for all the opportunities ahead us? The Project is an adventure of faith that requires us to dig deep and trust that God will provide all our needs.
My guess is that in the next 10 years I will be making plenty of Big Asks!
The photos got me thinking again about the amazing people that I get to work with. People from all backgrounds and experiences are in the pictures. There are people that until recently were using cardboard as a mattress behind shopping centres. There are people who give many hours every week voluntarily to help homeless and vulnerable people get a fab 3 course meal or get their flat cleaned up. There are others who provide us with housing which means we are able to house homeless people.
But it was while I was away at a church leadership event this week that it struck me that I get to make the Big Ask of lots of people very regularly. I ask a lot of my residents hopefully with the right level of support; I ask a lot of my volunteers and I try very hard to express my Thanks; I ask a lot of the team (3 of us in total) who are employed by the Jericho Road Project. And there are others but I realised that while I was comfortable making the Big Ask for all those mentioned, I am not as good at making the Big Ask when it comes to money. I probably feel happier asking for houses than pounds. There are reasons for this, I have always wanted the work I do to be told in stories and then because we have credibility, people would want to give to the Project. This has been the case and regularly people give to the Project. I have had a reluctance to go down the grants route, concerned that it requires lots of time and then lots of time convincing someone that you are doing your job correctly and then the funding stops. I prefer fundraising that is sustainable, the Caring Christmas Trees are an example of this with customers who come back year after year.
However there are great opportunities ahead of us that hinge on fresh financial input. For example we can with volunteers run a Money Advice Centre on an annual budget of 2.5K which by anyone's calculation is value for money. But am I able to make the Big Ask?
There is though an even bigger Ask - Am I going to pray that God would provide this and much more for all the opportunities ahead us? The Project is an adventure of faith that requires us to dig deep and trust that God will provide all our needs.
My guess is that in the next 10 years I will be making plenty of Big Asks!
Sunday, 9 October 2011
A day and a week to remember!
What a day and what a week! Today was a fabulous day as we celebrated 10 years of the JRP. Yesterday was our 1st ever Lionhearts under 14's victory. Add in the lunchtime event on Thursday and 3 Governors meetings it has a full and intense week. Thankfully I have a day off tomorrow and for once I plan to do very little. I will switch off the phone,spend the day with Rebekah and probably watch the film '127 hours', I read the book in the summer.
The response to today was great. One person who has been at Kings for some years said that today helped him understand what we are doing at Kings more than any other talk. And there were loads of other comments expressing great excitement about the day.
But it was tiring day and I will enjoy sleeping well tonight. Rest is the order of day tomorrow.
The response to today was great. One person who has been at Kings for some years said that today helped him understand what we are doing at Kings more than any other talk. And there were loads of other comments expressing great excitement about the day.
But it was tiring day and I will enjoy sleeping well tonight. Rest is the order of day tomorrow.
Wednesday, 5 October 2011
10 Facts about 10 Years of the JRP
1. We have recorded 1131 different people who have been to the Feast.
2. Since the Feast began we have never had to do any recruitment for the team.
3. There have been 88 residents since the housing project started in 2004.
4. King's Church Sunday Attendance has grown from 250 to 1250.
5. About 14% of people who come to the Feast go on to attend Alpha.
6. We serve approximately 4400 3-course meals a year.
7. There has been a Feast table at every evening Alpha course since 2002.
8. We have taken 37 people on holiday this year.
9. I estimate that we have served 27960 meals at the Feast in the 10 years.
10. The Money Advice Service took on 60 new people in a single year.
2. Since the Feast began we have never had to do any recruitment for the team.
3. There have been 88 residents since the housing project started in 2004.
4. King's Church Sunday Attendance has grown from 250 to 1250.
5. About 14% of people who come to the Feast go on to attend Alpha.
6. We serve approximately 4400 3-course meals a year.
7. There has been a Feast table at every evening Alpha course since 2002.
8. We have taken 37 people on holiday this year.
9. I estimate that we have served 27960 meals at the Feast in the 10 years.
10. The Money Advice Service took on 60 new people in a single year.
Friday, 30 September 2011
"Have you got a Sleeping Bag?"
On Sunday 9th we are celebrating 10 years of the Jericho Road Project at all 5 meetings. So in addition to having both Steve Tibbert and myself speaking there will be 2 short films describing the Project, I am so looking forward to the church seeing the films. I want people to laugh, surprised and challenged by the films. It will be a good Sunday to bring friends and family to. We are telling great stories that will inspire you! There will even be soup at the end of the morning meetings - another way of helping 1200 people at King's connect with the work of the Feast!
But we also wanted there to be a way that all those who come to King's can take part and so we are asking the church to donate sleeping bags or blankets to the project to help rough sleepers this winter. This will help in emergency situations where immediate housing cannot be accessed. The blankets are very helpful for people who are squatting - in recent months we have had families with babies squatting locally.
Some people might have a blanket or sleeping bag at home that you can bring. But others I expect will consider buying one or more and bringing them to King's on the 9th. It would be great to have a pile of sleeping bags left at the end of the day. Please do consider joining in, lead the way! Ask people you know!
Finally as a way of completing the celebration on the 9th we are having a gathering at 7pm for all those who have been involved in the Project over the last 10 years. We will have Cake, a free drink from the Coffee Bar, some Thank you's etc. We will be joined by people who are no longer regularly at King's as well. I am asking all the residents to join us as well as some of the famous Feast faces. It will be a special moment.
But we also wanted there to be a way that all those who come to King's can take part and so we are asking the church to donate sleeping bags or blankets to the project to help rough sleepers this winter. This will help in emergency situations where immediate housing cannot be accessed. The blankets are very helpful for people who are squatting - in recent months we have had families with babies squatting locally.
Some people might have a blanket or sleeping bag at home that you can bring. But others I expect will consider buying one or more and bringing them to King's on the 9th. It would be great to have a pile of sleeping bags left at the end of the day. Please do consider joining in, lead the way! Ask people you know!
Finally as a way of completing the celebration on the 9th we are having a gathering at 7pm for all those who have been involved in the Project over the last 10 years. We will have Cake, a free drink from the Coffee Bar, some Thank you's etc. We will be joined by people who are no longer regularly at King's as well. I am asking all the residents to join us as well as some of the famous Feast faces. It will be a special moment.
Friday, 9 September 2011
10 Year Celebration of the Jericho Road Project
I have now been in Catford for 10 years and so at the start of this September I have been reflecting on the last 10 years as well as looking ahead. In this blog I am attempting to outline what is happening in the term ahead. Obviously the Feast, support group and housing continues to help people every day/week.
Our 10 year celebration of the Jericho Road Project will take place in 2 parts. On Thursday 6th October we will be holding a lunchtime event inviting dignitaries from the borough. The Mayor Sir Steve Bullock, Steve Tibbert and myself will speak at that event. I am expecting over 100 people to hear what the JRP provides, something of the story of King's as well as how King's through the Jericho Road Project plans to continue to impact South East London
And then on the Sunday 9th October we will present the Jericho Road project at all 5 services. Using DVD, powerpoint, preach by Steve Tibbert and myself we will celebrate all that God has done as well as look ahead. Please invite your friends to this event, it will be a great Sunday. King's now has over a thousand people attending on a Sunday and we can have a bigger voice to shout about justice and helping the poor to a society around us that is searching for answers.
The Flat Cleaning team will continue to meet every Tuesday to help people who are struggling to keep their flat tidy. Contact me if you are able to help. This is a great opportunity to help people keep their tenancies (preventing homelessness) and value themselves (a greater sense of self worth)
Encounter nights – Following the successful Encounter Camp earlier this year we are now running bi-monthly Encounter evenings. These evenings will follow the pattern of the camp; relaxed, fun, time to wait on God, prayer, worship. Please come along, the next one will be in November. Further details when I know them.
Remember Caring Christmas Trees – Our biggest fundraiser of the year is selling Christmas Trees. Work has already started and there will be the many volunteer opportunities in November and December.
The marathon walk we did in August is on course to raise £1000 for the Feast, that means 1000 three course meals for vulnerable and homeless people! If you are still to pay, please do! Thanks to all those have supported us.
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There is a Newfrontiers conference called Jubilee+ taking place on Saturday 1st October taking place in Milton Keynes. This will be an excellent day looking at how Churches Can Change Communities. Speakers include Angela Kemm, Gavin Poole, Peter Lyndon and Martin Charlesworth. Book at www.jubilee-plus.org Belmarsh and Isis Prison Fellowship have an open day on Saturday 15th October 10am-4pm. Hear from volunteers and Chaplains plus news about Prison Fellowship. If you want to attend please contact me for further details.
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Follow me on Twitter @ simonjohnallen1Jericho Road Project, King’s Church Centre, Catford Hill, London, SE6 4PS, 020 8690 4646 jrp@kingschurchlondon.org
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