A hug from God
Sarah Russell of St Faith’s, Gaywood, is a weaver. “I wanted to start a creative group at church with a faith-filled intent.
After reading a book about prayer shawl ministry, our curate Libby and I gathered a group of eight people and 12 years on we’re still going – with 20 members!”
The group prays as it knits or crochets the shawls to wrap in God’s warmth anyone who may be ill, grieving, or celebrating an event. The shawls are dedicated in a church service before being given freely – left out to take in church, sent out worldwide or handed personally to the recipient. A message in the accompanying card reads: “Please accept this prayer shawl as a gift from everyone at St Faith’s Church. It has been interwoven with love and prayer by members of the prayer shawl group to let you know that you are always remembered and loved.”
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Two into One
When does ‘B&B’ speak of hospitality, warmth and welcome but not of ‘bed and breakfast’?
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The Bishop’s Lent Appeal 2023
A hospice can provide a warm and loving space to families in the bleakest of times.
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A warm place for young people
Barnham Broom Youth Café has been running for 18 months by the local church with support from North Breckland Youth for Christ.
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A space for early learning warmed by the sun
More space was needed at St Michael’s CofE Primary in Aylsham so, in a project driven by the Diocese of Norwich, a new nursery has been constructed for Acorn Class.
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Hong Kong families made welcome
Rachel grew up in Hong Kong and has close family there, so when she saw families turning up in Holy Trinity Church, Norwich, last winter, she was able to connect with them with a question from the heart, “Are you new here?”
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Boundless love
It was a momentous week for Garry and Penny as they had just said goodbye to their last (probably 100th!) foster child and were now retiring.
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Café at The Well – an invitation to encounter Christ
A church plant in Ingoldisthorpe, West Norfolk is serving up a warm welcome with barista-produced coffee in a café-setting in the local church hall.
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Solar panel projects as a prophetic voice
Along with many others, our churches are facing a fierce hike in heating bills this winter which focuses our attention on our dependency upon fossil fuels.
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No place like home
Liam is in his own home this Christmas. For a number of years, he has flitted between the streets of Great Yarmouth and temporary accommodation.
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Follow the star – the Great Invitation
This Christmas will be the first time since the Covid pandemic that we can invite our neighbours and our communities to an in-person gathering where all can hear the Christmas story and be welcomed into the love of Jesus.
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