Streetwise
February 2007
Quarterly Newsletter
“*So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: take your everyday,
ordinary life – your sleeping, eating, going-to-work and
walking-around-life and place it before God as an offering . . . if you
are called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be
quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don't let yourself
get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face.
Love from the centre of who you are: don't fake it. Run for dear life
from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Don't burn out; keep
yourselves fuelled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master,
cheerfully expectant” *
_*from The Message, Romans 12*_
/Included in this issue -/
/Foot washing at the Wild Goose/
/*Coffee Shop Manager job vacancy*/
/Jesus in the City update/
/Cottage Pie – a Wild Goose recipe!/
*Crisis Centre *
*Ministries*
Bringing God's grace and healing love
to people with life-disrupting problems
_Contents_
p.2 Introduction from Paul Hazelden
p.3 We are seeing a time of change
p.4 Job vacancies
p.5 Crisis Centre AGM
p.6 Jesus in the City
p.7 Foot washing at the Wild Goose
p.8 The Cold Weather Group
p.8 Diary dates
p.9 LITE course update and story
p.10 Christmas Party 2006
p.11 How/ you /can get involved ...
p.12 Wild Goose cottage pie
Dear friends and supporters
In the run-up to Christmas, the media seemed to be full of stories that
touched on the issues of homelessness and addiction.
Some of it was planned to tie in with the 40^th anniversary of ‘Cathy
Come Home’ - the ground-breaking drama that coincided so wonderfully
with the launch of Shelter that you can’t help suspecting some Divine help.
But much of it came from news stories: the deaths of five women in and
around Ipswich prompted a number of background articles and stories,
some of which were surprisingly informative and non-judgemental. More
locally, there was the continuing saga about the residents of the Bail
Hostel in Brigstocke Road.
And, on top of all this, you had Monty Don discovering the joys and
frustrations of helping addicts to start a new life in ‘Growing Out of
Trouble’.
It seems fair to assume that, as a result of all this activity, many
more people will have some grasp of the issues facing the people we
serve. But being better informed is just the start: if all you see are
the problems of homelessness, addiction and prostitution in stark
relief, you may be tempted to give up. People frequently ask me: how do
you keep going? It is a question about all of us, staff and volunteers
alike. The answer is not simple and easy, but a part of the answer goes
something like this...
It’s about people. We may talk about the problems in abstract terms, but
it always comes down to one human being reaching out for help to another
human being. We may not be able to solve the problems of poverty and
homelessness, but we can be there for the individuals you will read
about in this newsletter, and for many others, and we can make a
difference for them.
It’s about faith. You have to believe that change is possible – even
when people have failed and failed again, you don’t give up because the
next time they /might/ make it. You have to believe that people should
be given another chance. You have to believe that God cares about these
people, and that somehow He is involved in reaching out and offering new
hope. You have to believe that you can make a difference – not because
you are so skilled, but because God will take any opportunity to work
through you, because He wants to make His grace and love real to the
people who need Him the most.
Every blessing Paul Hazelden
_CCM News - We are seeing a time of change_
*Chair of Trustees, Anni Davey, hands over to Graham Donald*
As those of you who came to the AGM will know, Anni Davey was unable to
continue as a trustee. We will sadly miss her: as a trustee and as the
chair of our board of directors for many years, she has steered CCM
through some very difficult times. We owe a great deal to Anni, and to
her wisdom, prayers and encouragement over the years.
The good news is that Anni is still involved, and still hosting a
monthly CCM prayer meeting at her home. We would like to express our
thankfulness for both Anni and her husband Korky, and our prayer is for
God's rich blessings on them for the future.
Our new Chairperson is Graham Donald who comes from Christchurch,
Clifton. He has been a trustee for CCM since 2002 so already has had
plenty of experience of working with the team.
*Goodbye James*
We are also sad to say that James Preston, our Coffee Shop Manager, will
be leaving towards the end of February to move on to work with refugees
and asylum seekers.
James has been with us for three years, and has made a tremendous impact
on the work of The Wild Goose. Some of the funding towards his salary
has come from the Church Urban Fund and, at a recent review of how that
funding had been used, the targets which had been agreed for James' role
and the outcome of James' appointment, it was exciting and very
encouraging to see how much progress has been made in this area of our
work since James has been appointed.
One particular aspect has been the development of our partnership with
churches whereby a number now take responsibility for evening sessions
at The Wild Goose. Thank you so much James for your enthusiasm, vision
and energy, for the part you have taken in ensuring the efficient
running of the shop and the implementation of many new ideas. You will
be greatly missed, and we wish you every success in your new job.
*Welcome to Claire Collins, our new Office Manager*
Claire Collins joined the staff team in December, replacing Lucy as our
new Office Manager and bringing with her a great deal of experience and
enthusiasm. She will be working on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings
most weeks. She will introduce herself properly in the next newsletter.
*Staffing at the Wild Goose*
The Wild Goose Coffee shop is currently open during the day on Mondays,
Tuesdays and Thursdays. It is also open on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
and Thursday evenings. In addition, we open Saturday nights to serve
coffee and for a time of worship. However, we are going to be unable to
open on Tuesday daytimes from mid-February due to a shortage of help.
Would you be able to join our wonderful team of volunteers? Extra help
is needed with food preparation, cooking and serving. It is also great
to have volunteers to just be present in the shop to talk and spend time
with clients. If you feel able to help us in this way please ring the
office.
*CRB Checks - (Criminal Records Bureau) *
It is now essential that all our volunteers are CRB checked as many of
the people we help are considered to be ‘vulnerable adults’. Any new
staff or volunteers will be required to complete paperwork to this
effect, and will need to provide some identification. We know it’s
frustrating, especially when we know many of you so well, but we need to
obey the law. If you are a volunteer and haven't yet completed a CRB
check please could you get in touch, to arrange the paperwork and
identity check? Thanks.
*Harvest*
Many thanks to all who generously gave at Harvest time. Tinned and dry
food donated at times like this can keep the shop going over several
months. We also had a wonderful Christmas party (see the article later
in this newsletter) and this was a fantastic culmination of all our
efforts in the past year. Thank you all for your support last year and
we look forward to sharing with you, working with you or just
encouraging one another in this coming year.
_*JOB VACANCIES*_
_*Coffee Shop Manager – Permanent – (Paid)*_
Crisis Centre Ministries has a vacancy for a full time Coffee Shop Manager.
The salary is £16992 pa., to be reviewed in April 2007. The successful
applicant will be
committed to the Christian faith and part of a church. They need to be
self-motivated, able to act on their own initiative and as part of a
team, flexible in responding to the demands of the ministry, experience
of personnel/management and have an interest in Christian social action
among the poor and disadvantaged.
*Closing date for applications: 30^th March 07*
_*Coffee Shop Supervisor – (Paid)*_
Crisis Centre Ministries is looking for one or more people to work as a
cook and
session manager in the coffee shop. The hours are negotiable, but we
would need a
commitment to a regular time each week.
The salary is £7 per hour, to be reviewed in April 07.
*Closing date for applications: 5^th April 07*
_*Crisis Centre Annual General Meeting *_
_ *9 October 2006*_
Nearly thirty people attended this year's AGM: down on last year’s 21^st
anniversary celebration, but still a good number for a ministry like us.
Four main areas of the work were described by the members of staff.
1. *_Wild Goose coffee shop – James Preston (Coffee Shop Manager)_*
The coffee shop continues to offer food and friendship. Clients are
often homeless but may also live in hostels with drink/drug problems.
Volunteer Christians staff the shop and increasingly local churches take
responsibility for running sessions, something which James would like to
encourage further. A local church has started a worship session one
evening each week and the clients are enjoying the live music. There is
opportunity to receive prayer and two people have started on an Alpha
course. James has also been developing an advice service for clients to
access via the coffee shop.
2. *_Client Support – Trudie Lane_*
Trudie and volunteers have continued to provide ongoing support to
clients whilst not doubling up on the other good services available in
Bristol. They aim to work alongside these services and support clients
in accessing them. Trudie said that whilst lasting change was the
ultimate goal, getting there was a slow process. By building
relationship, caring and respecting the clients there was more chance
that they would continue the difficult process of transition through to
a positive end.
3. *_Lite Course – Andy Luxford (Training and Development Manager)_*
/LITE (Lifeskills Initial Training for Employment) /2006 saw one of the
most satisfying courses Andy had run. 17 people started, though 5
dropped out immediately leaving 12 who went on to get certificates. 6
completed all course modules, 2 now had paid work, 2 voluntary work and
2 continued to the next LITE course. 4 had gone on to further training.
4. *_Paul Hazelden – General Manager_*
Paul has forged ahead building bridges with other groups in the city,
partnering with organizations such as Business in the Community,
Christian groups, the City Council, Primary Care Trust and is also part
of the Bristol Christian Action Network (BCAN).
CCM, being a Christian organisation, is here to bring people to Christ
as well as offer practical support and help. Paul said secular agencies
can sometimes have a problem with this approach, but stressed that it is
the presence of Jesus in all that is done that makes CCM distinctive.
_*Other AGM Business*_
Three trustee members resigning at this AGM were Nick Wood, Andy
Robinson and Anni Davey. We would like to thank them for their valuable
contribution over the past few years. Three new members were elected
Lynda Dyson and Gerry and Julie Summers.
Our treasurer, Martin Horton, gave a full report on the annual finances.
Accounts for CCM are available from the office. The overall income for
the past twelve months came mainly from churches and individuals, mainly
through irregular and one-off donations, and we would like to express
our grateful thanks for all who have supported us in any way –
financially, through practical help or prayer.
/_Jesus in the City Urban Congress Bristol _/
/_14 – 18 June 2007_/
_What is it?_
Jesus in the City first began within the UK in 1995 and took place
initially in Liverpool.
An event occurring every three years, Bristol is therefore the fifth
Congress of it's kind to take place in Britain. 2007 marks the 200^th
anniversary of the official abolition of black slavery and Jesus in the
City intends to run with this using the theme
“Setting People Free”.
It is not a conference but rather a place of sharing ideas and experience.
This year aims to to explore the good news of Jesus in three ways:
- Releasing captives
- Challenging oppression and
- Celebrating jubilee - especially for people in poverty.
_Who is it for?_
Jesus in the City is especially focused at Christians from all around
the country bringing them together to worship, talk and pray together.
The aim is for everyone to return to their churches informed, challenged
and encouraged to work for God-inspired change in our communities.
_What can I expect?_
There will be powerful worship to start each day followed by a mix of
workshops, seminars and visits, sharing inspiration from local and
national projects. Evenings will focus on worship and celebration with
both local, national and international speakers.
_How can I get involved?_
You can volunteer to help, or to simply come along and be inspired.
For further information telephone: 0117 9682803
We now have a brochure for Jesus in the City and an on-line booking form
at http://www.jitc.org.uk/booking.
Do sign up for as much of the congress as you can manage –
it is going to be an excellent event.
*FOOT WASHING AT THE WILD GOOSE*
Sheilah Edwards is duty manager for the involvement of Vineyard church
on alternate Monday evenings in The Wild Goose. This article relates to
the evening of Monday, 11 December 2006 when, among other things,
clients were offered the opportunity to have their feet washed!
“/What can I say! We were sort of blown away. Where can we go from here?
We were all so blessed it's unbelievable!”/
/There were piles of food including lots of lovely cakes given by all
the house groups. As well as the usual sarnies, there were also turkey
ones with either cranberry sauce or cucumber, mince pies etc. Loads of
people came in and it got a bit hectic to start with. The team were
marvellous: all were allocated different jobs including the foot washing
going on downstairs. /
/Carol and Dave did a tremendous job down there with Eamon dashing up
and down stairs renewing the water. Later we even had a qualified doctor
helping Carol and Dave to wash and treat feet. We had to encourage
people to take up the offer, but one guy was walking around afterwards
saying “Ooooooooh it’s so soft now!” They washed about 9 or 10 folks’ feet./
/We had 30 or more guys come over the evening, also loads of team as
well as the folk who visited us from a house group. Alan, one of
Vineyard’s co-leaders, ended up cleaning tables and sweeping floors./
/Upstairs it was all go. We prayed for several people over the evening,
and started the Carols earlier than planned. We all sang with gusto and
included ‘The Humble King’, (this is the song God spoke to me through in
church, and is what the washing of feet was all about). /
/That's all Folks. Can’t wait to see what God will do next year./
*Sheilah, thank you for your enthusiasm and the creativity of your
approach. We, too, can’t wait to see what God will do next year.*
_Answers to last newsletter 'Just For Fun' quiz_
1.
Q - Venue for this years AGM on Monday 9^th October 06
A – Trinity Tabernacle
2.
Q – Name of the charity website through which you can donate to CCM
A – everyclick.com
3.
Q – James says this is vital to the recovery from addition
A - Good nutrition/healthy food
4.
Q – Which part of CCM's building needed mending in July and August?
A – The roof
5.
Q – Which post within CCM is Lucy leaving at the end of September?
A – Office Manager
6.
Q – Trudie says treat the ________ not the problem.
A – PERSON
7.
Q – The name of your favourite newsletter.
A – STREETWISE!
_/Focus On/ *...... The Cold Weather Group*_
The Cold Weather Group is a Bristol based charity that was set up in
1991 as an alliance of groups and individuals with the aim of increasing
co-ordination and provision for homeless people sleeping rough in
Bristol during the winter months. The CWG works in partnership with
English Churches Housing Group (ECHG), a housing association with
experience of providing accommodation for homeless people.
For the first six years the Cold Weather Group set up and ran a direct
access emergency night shelter each winter; these were in different
locations each year and managed with the support of Shelter, Bristol
City Council and other agencies. Then for three years from 1997/8, the
Cold Weather Group worked in partnership with the English Churches
Housing Group, who took on the direct management of the shelters and
received funding through the Government funded Rough Sleepers
Initiative. For the winters of 2000 - 2006 a night centre has been run
instead of a shelter, in line with the funding priorities of the Rough
Sleepers Unit.
The key aim of the Cold Weather Group is to assist in the provision of a
winter Night Centre which fulfils all of the following:
Shelter, warmth, food, safety, help to access other services, support,
befriending and in addition, making women's needs a priority by
providing them with a safe environment.
The Night Centre is currently open only during the winter months and is
based in the New Street Day Centre near the Old Market area of Bristol.
With space for up to 20 people, the Centre provides shelter and support
from 10.00pm - 7.00am, as well as an evening meal and breakfast. There
are at least two staff on duty while the Centre is open, and it aims to
provide two volunteers every night to give additional support. In
2004/05 197 people accessed the Night Centre and 119 people took up
referrals to enable them to take steps to move off the streets.
The Centre aims to enable users to find accommodation with appropriate
support as soon as possible, and priority access to Bristol's direct
access hostels. The Centre engages in particular with entrenched and
vulnerable rough sleepers, and to this end there are very close working
arrangements with the Outreach Team. A high proportion of users have
substance misuse issues, and many may also have mental and physical
health problems. Therefore an important role of the Night Centre is to
refer users to appropriate specialist support.
*_Dates for your diary_*
29 March – Prayer Meeting at 20 St Hilary Close, 7:30 – 9:30 pm
11 April – Training (Share Your Faith, part 1) at CCM office, 7:30 – 9:30 pm
14 April – Training (Share Your Faith, parts 1-3) at Trinity Tabernacle,
9:45 am – 1 pm
18 April – Training (Share Your Faith, part 2) at CCM office, 7:30 – 9:30 pm
25 April – Training (Share Your Faith, part 3) at CCM office, 7:30 – 9:30 pm
26 April – Prayer Meeting at 20 St Hilary Close, 7:30 – 9:30 pm
9 May – Training (Faith and Social Action) at CCM office, 7:30 – 9:30 pm
12 May – Training (Faith and Social Action) at Trinity Tabernacle, 9:45
am – 1 pm
31 May – Prayer Meeting at 20 St Hilary Close, 7:30 – 9:30 pm
9 June – Training (Work) at Trinity Tabernacle, 9:45 am – 1 pm
13 June – Training (Work) at CCM office, 7:30 – 9:30 pm
14-18 June – /Jesus in the City/ (see www.jitc.org.uk
or www.bcan.org.uk/jitc)
28 June – Prayer Meeting at 20 St Hilary Close, 7:30 – 9:30 pm
_*LITE Course Update *_* - *Andy Luxford
The most recent LITE course started in September 2006. Initially there
were up to eleven students attending although that eventually averaged
out to around eight. Three modules were completed before Christmas with
a final module to be started and completed during January 2007.
An average LITE course generally includes the following:
_Module 1 _–/ Looking after yourself/
Nutrition and cooking * Healthy living * Creative workshops *
Budgeting/Relaxation
_Module 2_ – /Relating to others/
Assertiveness* Rights and responsibilities * Being positive * Saying No
* Communication skills
_Module 3 _– /Finding your potential/
Skills analysis * Goal setting * Basic computer skills * Forms and
letters * Using the telephone
_Module 4_ – /The Next step/
Preparing CV's * Interview preparation * Voluntary work placement, if
appropriate
We will keep you updated on the progression of the students following
the completion of LITE. Please pray for all the students that they will
move on to something beneficial.
A new LITE course is planned to start on Monday 5 March. Please pray for
a good response and for Andy as he prepares to engage with a new group.
_*LITE course stories:*_
/_*Asylum seeker regains smile ....*_/
A Christian asylum seeker from Eritrea left home to escape the war and
persecution. He'd had a responsible job in education but would have had
to go to war if he had stayed in his own country. He travelled by night
across many countries before reaching the UK.
He was granted refugee status but then found himself on his own, on the
streets in London. He heard there were jobs in Bristol but ended up in a
hostel surrounded by drug users.
He came to the Wild Goose and was befriended by one of our volunteers,
who suggested he came on the LITE course. He completed the training and
went on to an ESOL (/English for Speakers of Other Languages/) course.
After months of applying for endless jobs he went through a very
discouraging and despondent time feeling he must be a “disgusting
person, who no-one wanted to employ”. Eventually he gained a full time,
paid care job. He has completed his probationary period and is enjoying
the work. He is a changed man; the smile has returned to his face and he
is so grateful for the start we were able to give him.
_*Christmas Party 2006*_
This year our Christmas party took place not only at a different time
but a different venue. Usually the party has been held during the
evening but this Christmas following the kind offer of facilities at
Elim@Bristol in Jamaica Street we opted for having
a lunchtime party.
We estimate more than seventy clients came during the course of the
event. Helpers plated up delicious looking party food which was
gratefully received and eaten. We were donated dozens of presents
including hand-made knitted scarves and hats, gloves, socks, underwear,
toiletries, chocolates and food gifts too.
The first man through the door was shivering in a very thin jacket, and
was immediately fitted out with a new, very warm one from the clothes
table, which he put on straight away on top of the old one, absolutely
delighted. One man sat quietly for the whole duration eating very little
but clearly savouring the company, festivities and central heating. He
seemed overwhelmed by everything that was going on.
Towards the end of the party when everything but a few ladies' parcels
had been given out, a young man came in - shaven head, hands blue with
cold - asking for a hat and gloves. He didn't want food or presents, so
there was nothing to do but try opening a wrapped "Lady's" present
praying that it would contain what he needed - it did! A super warm navy
hat and a pair of black knitted gloves - put on immediately with a huge
smile and many thanks.
We were treated to excellent entertainment in the form of a magic show
by Jon Bonner an evangelist who is part of Open Air Campaigners South
West. He performed one trick with a story about pieces of coal, which
turned into diamonds and was listened to with rapt attention by many of
the clients, and the analogy was clear.
*Thank you to everyone who supported us through gifts, food parcels,*
*finances, time and prayer.*
We would like to express special thanks to Jenny and the Elim@Bristol
Team for helping to organise and run the event,
and also to Margaret Pinnock and those from Westbury on Trym Baptist who
provided much of the food. We are extremely grateful to Counterslip
Baptist for wrapped shoe boxes of gifts and also to Carmel for the kind
provision of food parcels.
_HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED!!_
/Everybody's different so that's why there there are many different ways
to support the work of CCM......../
*
*PRAYER *– Prayer does change things and affects everything we do.
Please continue to pray for all aspects of the ministry including
our staff and volunteers – it is a crucial aspect of the support
we receive.
*
VOLUNTEER – We need you! Come along once a month and help to cook
or serve in the Wild Goose coffee shop. Why not mobilise your
whole church or house group to be responsible for a café session
weekly or monthly. Training given and we're all very nice people.
*
*FINANCIAL DONATIONS* - Cheque donations and regular giving
through Banker's Standing Orders are obviously greatly
appreciated. These can be Gift Aided increasing the value of your
support.
*
*DONATIONS OF FOOD OR OTHER GIFTS* – We have had such wonderful
provision from you for both harvest and Christmas. If you enjoy
supporting us in a practical way like this then please ring the
office for a list of provisions regularly needed by the Wild Goose.
*
FUNDRAISING – Make Crisis Centre your favourite charity, don your
running shoes and run a marathon. And if that sounds a little too
energetic, then do something more gentile, like a bring-and-buy
sale or coffee morning. What ever you do, big or small, everything
helps!
*
THROUGH THE INTERNET – *www.crisis-centre.org.uk*
_Search the internet._ CCM gets a small donation each time you do
a search via the link on our web site. Make it your favourite!
_Buy at CCM_ – Visit our Community Webshop www.buy.at/CCM where
you can shop, save money and support CCM at the same time.
_Are you a fan of Amazon?_ - If you buy from Amazon via our
website, 5% of what you spend comes to CCM at no extra cost to you.
*
_Finally – A recipe _
I joined the Crisis Centre in December 06 having not had much insight
into the work of CCM. An initial, very positive, experience was sampling
some of the fantastic food being lovingly prepared and served by the
Wild Goose volunteers each day to clients and to prove my point I have
included it in this edition. Maybe you will be so inspired that you will
come and cook it for our clients sometime? Hopefully the coffee shop
recipes will become a feature – watch this space. - Claire
_*Cottage Pie *(Serves 12 – 16) _
5kg potatoes
butter
300ml milk
vegetable oil
10 onions, sliced
2kg minced beef
10 carrots, chopped
1.25kg frozen peas
10 tbsp ketchup
10 tbsp brown sauce
5 tbsp soy sauce
5 tsp mixed herbs
salt and pepper
4 – 5 stock cubes (we use beef Oxo)
_Method_
1.
Preheat oven to 200oC/Gas 6. Boil potatoes until tender then
drain. Mash with butter, milk and seasoning.
2.
Fry the onions and mince in separate pans until brown. Boil the
carrots and mix all together in a large pan.
3.
Add the ketchup, soy, stock cubes, herbs, peas and 450ml water.
Cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
4.
Transfer to heatproof dish(es). Top with mashed potato and bake
for 25 minutes.
Serve with extra veg if desired.
*Crisis Centre Ministries*
12 City Road, St Pauls, Bristol BS2 8TP Tel: 0117 9423088
_email: __admin@crisis-centre.org.uk _ W
*ebsite: **www.crisis-centre.org.uk*
Reg. Charity No: 298528 Reg. Company No: 2214814
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