The Ark always meets to worship on Sundays at 10.30am. Usually we meet in Foxwood Community centre, but twice a year things are different. On the Sunday of August Bank Holiday weekend we encourage as many people as possible to go to Grapevine at the Lincolnshire showground, and on the first Sunday in December we take a team to Leeds to serve those children of Yorkshire who are fighting cancer.
Candlelighters, the children’s cancer charity pay for a fabulous party for the children; we provide logistics and manpower to make the party happen.
Serving these children and their parents is an act of worship o God, and act of kindness to them and a useful way of earthing ourselves to the realities of life.As Christians it is important to show acts of kindness – it is what Jesus always did. Serving at this party is a way we can work together as a team and yet also just be there for families who are struggling.
We decorated the tables in the huge room, kindly donated by the Royal Armouries. We took the Tweenies, Buzz Lightyear and organised some Star Wars storm troopers.
We face-painted the kids and took their photos having them ready to take away on the day in a special card momento of the event. Even Santa showed up – complete with real beard.
It is a tiring day, but an incredibly fulfilling one.
It is a different way of having church – but a valid one.