food bank
subjects from Clergy Pension provision to relations with the Methodists, energy conservation and Food Bank provision to name but 4.
My ministry has included engagement with schools, Scouts, toddler groups, Memory Café, food bank, Mencap and other community initiatives.
Having recently retired, I have taken over the leadership of the church-run food bank, which is a very fulfilling role.
I serve in my village church, leading the choir from 1995, cooking parish lunches for all ages together, and co-organising food bank collections and litter picks.
The civic life of Alcester has provided many opportunities to talk with the great and good, and we have supported the local food bank, take steps to set themselves up as a CIO.
At St James Lockleaze, addicts would worship alongside former MP’s, guests to our food bank would find a place to belong and a community who would champion them, and my understanding of ‘church family’ would constantly be stretched to something far more biblical.
We also see it in our parish projects- food bank and toddlers groups, detached youth work and drop in projects with our senior citizens alongside partnering with our schools, local businesses and council too.
Our church in Washington was very involved with the local food bank and had a ministry of feeding people, from local children during lockdowns, to regular meals for the elderly.
Over the years I’ve been involved in quite a range of aspects of church and community life: While we lived in Birmingham I was involved in homeless ministries through Birmingham City Mission and The Big Issue, and Mike and I ran a Christian support group and food bank for refugees and asylum seekers.
The parish is where most people encounter the Church of England – at a baptism, a wedding or a funeral; at Christmas and Easter; through a food bank, a choir or a youth group; when somebody is lonely, frightened, bereaved or searching for meaning.
I am also responsible for organising food bank collections, representing our church on the local ecumenical Round Table, for the World Day of Prayer, and for the group working towards the recent recognition of the Anglican and old Catholic churches in the Canton of Vaud.
We also serve the local community by facilitating a local food bank and running a community cupboard (making surplus food from supermarkets available to those in need.) As the facilitator of the OWL (Outdoor Worship Leicestershire) Network, I develop and equip lay leaders who run outdoor expressions of church.
Supporting the most vulnerable – the vast majority of our churches are involved in running or supporting a food bank or other similar services, responding to the deep need throughout our communities.
I’ve also been an actress, singer, Slimming World consultant, cafe owner, community activist and food bank manager - I’ve never been afraid of change and can get on with a wide range of people, I’m adaptable, curious and open minded.
Around 400 people pass through our grounds each week, through Kids Church, Brownies, Scouts, SEN Focus and Greenwich Food Bank.
At parish level, this work includes supporting children’s and youth ministry, additional needs provision, a social enterprise and a food bank.
The sermons, intercultural worship, prayers, healing ministry, community fellowship, food bank support, pastoral care and donations I received in 2021–2022 became a living testimony of grace.