Sunday 2 August 2009

Connecting with the Community

A little diversion from the Wiltshire photos

Evangelising in the park and connecting with the community.
'Soul in the City' time again. S in the C is basically a summer camp for young people from 14 upwards.The campers are based at the school belonging to our church and the whole event is run by youth leaders from the local churches. Our church is very involved in the day to day care of these young people, particularly ensuring they enjoy good and wholesome home made food.

The young people have Bible study and worship and prayer time in the mornings and the afternoons and evenings are spent serving the local people in many different ways, including praying for people around the shopping centre etc.

Evenings and weekends are family fun days with free entertainment and food in the park. Here is a little glimpse of some of the activities this afternoon.



There was a contingent of 25 youngsters from Egypt attending this year plus a number from the USA. Here we see a group from Egypt teaching youngsters to make friendship bracelets.

There is a prayer tent. It is surprising how quickly people respond when they realise that you care enough for them to chat with them and pray for them.


Face painting





Ball games and bouncy castles






Making grafitti designs for one's own T-shirt






Girl's Zone for hair braiding, nails, make-up and chilling out with artistic grafitti 'Love Christ'



Not forgetting a free BBQ
In previous years I have helped plant a large herb garden outside the Domestic Science block in a local school and pruned and cleared the gardens around our local library. My practical contribution this year was to make lots of cakes for the campers. Fruit Loaf, Butterscotch Chip Cookies, Gingerbread with raisins and dates and Ginger Cream Iced Oaties. (I did not take photos as I was too taken up with getting them all finished and delivered)

21 comments:

Winifred said...

Sounds like great time for everyone. Lots of hard work for you Barbara but I'm sure it was worth it.

I keep meaning to say I love your Newly Married photo on your side bar.

Tracy Golightly-Garcia said...

Barbara
Thanks for sharing your pictures-- it seems you live in a great community where everyone care for each other.
Take-care!
Tracy :)

Elizabeth said...

Looks like lots of fun for the young people.
I bet they enjoyed the cakes, too.

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

That's quite an event! And I've had your butterscotch chip cookies so I know those were a hit, and have no doubt all the other baked delights were too.

Charm and Grace said...

What a lovely outreach to your community. I pray that all of your efforts will bring fruit. When my mother was in Cambridge, she participated for two weeks in ministry with the Christian Heritage Foundation at the Round Church there. It seems the Lord is moving in many parts of your land.

Blessings,
Christi

Deanna said...

Blessings to you.
The connecting with the community is so much needed in each town.
Looks like a very nice time was had by all.
What a joy, can we pray for you?
d

Willow said...

You have certainly been busy and for a very good reason!

Anonymous said...

Looks like a great day! What a wonderful idea and how great is the prayer tent!!

talesfromagarden said...

have been scrolling down through your lovely photos of your holidays and they are beautiful, have always thought english country villages look stunning and so clean! love all those thatched roofs too!

Kate said...

What a lovely event for those young people!! And they got to sample your cakes too....

Deanna said...

Hi Barbara,
So glad you've come over to my blog and paid a visit. Good to hear from you.
The header on my blog is a picture of our house.
She needs alot of work done on her. Collecting ideas as time goes by.
May you have a blessed summer,
d

Anonymous said...

How wonderful to be a part of a group like that. I have done many of those the years my kids were teens and I worked with youth ministry. I loved the pictures in the previous blog. My favorite was the brick wall with the gate. I love to paint brick and stone scenes.
QMM

a woman who is said...

Such a wonderful community church event. I adore the prayer tent. How fun would that be?

So special those young people coming from other places to participate with your church. Wonderful Kingdom stuff!

Susan said...

Always a joy to see people busy for our Lord. The churches in our community are working on and getting ready for the Prayer Tent that will be part of our little towns Fall Festival. Yes, it is amazing the outreach pray has and people do respond to the prayer tent.
Susan

duopastorale said...

Fantastic... we've had this in year's past but not this I don't think. Some of our youth have just been to Soul Survivor and have come back very fired up! Encouraging.

Titus said...

Barbara - well done! I don't recognise a single location though I feel I should. I run the "Storybag Sundays" at our local Church, which is a monthly service in which the children (younger than these) play a major part - readings, plays, songs and sometimes a lot more imaginative!
Looks like a brilliant time with decent weather.

Elizabethd said...

What a memorable time those younsters will have had...well done everyone!

Elizabeth Mahlou said...

I am not sure on which posting to leave this comment because I essentially want to react to your blogger header --- the gorgeous flowers, so tastefully arranged. They make me want to visit your garden!

Anonymous said...

What a great camp with so many activities. Your baking sounded delicious. :-)

Bernideen said...

Thank you for sharing your faith with others and hiding your light under a bushel!

Adrienne said...

This must be a fantastic experience for everyone involved. I love to think of the effect on the lives of many people who are touched by God's love through you. ~Adrienne~