We are really delighted that a few Ukrainian Refugee families are now arriving in Weston and the need to support these people is growing so we have arranged to hold a ROC WSM Ukrainian Support meeting on Tuesday 3^rd May 2022 at St Paul’s Church from 15:30 to 17:30 (we expect it to end by 17:00 but have allowed two hours). We have set it up as a ticketing event and people can sign in here – please do sign up so we have an idea of numbers!

We hope to have:

1. David Bagnall and/or Mark Francis - Representatives from NSC Resettlement team to describe what the process is from Local Authority perspective
   
2. Dave and Penny Hynds will discuss what it feels like as sponsors and share their learning
   
3. Someone from health and education will discuss how to register guests in GP surgeries and get children into schools, - David Crossman (VANS) and Some Ukrainians already living in Weston to outline the role volunteers are taking and what support is available
   
4. Someone from the churches/faith groups will update on what the churches are doing
   
5. Shena from Refugees Welcome North Somerset Group will help share learning from settling refugees from Afghan and Syria

Anyone with an interest is welcome to attend this meeting.   We will have the facilities to video the session and post it on our YouTube channel afterwards for those who can’t attend.

NB The WSM Homes for Ukrainians Facebook Group now has over 200 members (210 to be accurate but that is over 200! 😊) and includes a  number of host families, prospective host families and refugees as well as others who wish to support in other ways.

Please do register for the 3^rd May Meeting HERE

Dave and Penny Hynds
ROC Weston-super-Mare Action Group Leaders
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.roc.uk.com

Prayer Vigils for Ukraine - Sunday 10th April, 6pm

Russia's invasion of Ukraine on Febrary 24th has impacted Europe and the whole world. Many thousands of civilian and military lives have been lost and millions of people have been displaced. This week people have been shocked to see horrific photos depicting alleged war crimes. The sense of hopelessness, helplessness and shock is expressed across our communities.

The Churches and church organisations in Weston are responding both with humanitarian gestures but also by mobilising prayer. All of the local churches are praying for peace at their services and would welcome anyone to join them.

United Vigils

The churches along with people from across the community are also gathering together each Sunday night as an act of solidarity with the Ukrainian people, to light candles, to reflect and to pray for peace. Our vision is to help people find hope and strength amidst this desperate situation. We are meeting at two venues.

This Sunday 10th April, at 6pm, vigils are taking place at the Friends Meeting House, High Street, Weston, BS23 1JF and St Mark’s Church, Worle, BS22 7PW.

Shena Deuchars from the Friends Meeting House said, 'At the Friends Meeting House, we will hold in the Light all those affected by the conflict in Ukraine. We will gather in stillness and expectantly wait on the Spirit.'

Rev Chris Elms at St Mark's Worle said, 'Please join us for a time of quiet reflection and prayer for the Ukrainian people and for all those affected. This is also a chance to bring our concerns and burdens before God, casting our cares on Him. You are welcome to stay for as long or as little as you wish. The church entrance is to the left of the building, we look forward to welcoming you.'

For more info, see https://ctwd.org.uk. Further prayer resources are on the CTWD Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/churchestogetherwsm/

#prayforukraine #ukrainevigil #peaceinukraine #churchestogether #clif #redeemingourcommunities

Churches across Weston-super-Mare have come together to provide a space for people who are struggling with their mental wellbeing.

Renew 193 – Wellbeing Space, based at 193 High Street, Worle, Weston-super-Mare opens on Monday 4th April 2022.

‘We will be open Mondays to Thursdays and would welcome anyone, particularly those feeling low, anxious, lonely or isolated, to benefit from this quiet shared space where it’s ok not to be ok,’ said Revd Steve Christian, one of the projects joint founders.

Renew 193 is part of a growing chain of wellbeing centres being set up across the United Kingdom by Renew Wellbeing.

Renew Wellbeing helps churches open spaces of welcome and inclusion in partnership with mental health teams to improve mental and emotional wellbeing.

Renew spaces are simple cafe style spaces designed for adults run by local churches where hobbies and activities are shared or co-produced. Each cafe space is attached to a quiet room or prayer space where inner habits of wellbeing are shared.

Each centre seeks to partner with a mental health professional from the local council or other suitable organisation to ensure good inclusive practices for safe spaces can be sustained.

Renew 193 is hosted by Clarence Park Baptist Church, Milton Baptist Church and Worle Baptist Church and is open at the following times:

Monday – 10am – 12noon
Tuesday – 10am – 12noon & 2pm – 4pm
Wednesday – 10am – 12noon & 2pm – 4pm
Thursday – 2pm – 4pm.

(Closed on Bank Holidays)

‘All are welcome to relax and enjoy peace in our quiet / prayer space. People can pop in for a short while or stay for the full 2 hours, whatever suits them. Above all, we assure everyone of a kind welcome, a good cuppa and someone to listen to them if that’s what they want,’ said Becky Allison the project co-ordinator and another of the joint project founders.

For more info about Renew 193, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.renewwellbeing.org.uk

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Prayer Vigils for Ukraine - Sunday 3rd April, 6pm

The Ukraine war that many expected to be over in days is now into its 6th week. Since the Russian invasion, many thousands of lives have been lost and millions of people have been displaced. The war has had far-reaching effects both on the global economy and international relations.

The Churches and church organisations in Weston are responding both with humanitarian gestures but also by mobilising prayer. All of the local churches are praying for peace at their services and would welcome anyone to join them.

United Vigils

The churches along with people from across the community are also gathering together each Sunday night as an act of solidarity with the Ukrainian people, to light candles, to reflect and to pray for the situation. We are meeting at two venues.

This Sunday 3rd April, at 6pm, vigils are taking place at St Andrew's Church, Bournville and Worle Baptist Church.

Rev Alan Bailyes from Worle Baptist Church said, we will be open on Sunday from 6pm for a time of prayer and reflection for all those suffering as a result of the war in Ukraine. Together, in the presence of God, we will stand in unity and present our prayers to Him, our loving Father. We will ask God to be the hope for all those affected at this time and to bring peace. All are welcome.

Rev Tim Erridge at St Andrew's, Bournville said, We welcome you to drop in for as little or as long as you are able, between 6pm and 7pm as we make space to pray for peace in Ukraine. Kindly note - the entrance to the church is in the Car Park around the back of the building through the blue double doors.

For more info, see the full schedule at https://ctwd.org.uk, which we hope will be cut short as soon as the conflict ends. Further prayer resources are on the CTWD Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/churchestogetherwsm/

#prayforukraine #ukrainevigil #peaceinukraine #churchestogether #clif #redeemingourcommunities

Churches Together Easter Events 2022

Each Easter, the Churches of Weston-super-Mare and District come together to take part in joint acts of worship and witness. These are in addition to numerous individual church services and events taking place across the 39 local Churches during this sacred festival.

Across Easter Weekend we remember the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Good Friday marks the crucifixion of Jesus, and is a time for quiet contemplation as we reflect on the ultimate price that He paid to redeem our sins. Easter Sunday is a triumphant celebration of the resurrection of Jesus and the new life that we can all experience as we come to faith in him.

This year, there will be two inter-denominational events on Good Friday and a single sunrise service on Easter Sunday led by local church leaders and worship teams.

Good Friday Walk of Witness - Town Centre

We would welcome local people to join our united Easter Walk of Witness on Good Friday 15th April 2022. Believers from many of the Weston-super-Mare and District Churches will be taking part in this opportunity to share the message of Hope that Easter brings.

We will gather just before 12 noon outside Emmanuel Church, Oxford Street, Weston-super-Mare.

The Route - Those gathered will quietly process behind a cross down Oxford Street towards the seafront. We shall cross to the opposite (north side) Oxford Street pavement at Nandos, continuing walking towards the seafront.  We will cross over Marine Parade and then turn right, walking along the promenade to the Grand Pier.  We will then turn right down Regent Street and left along the High Street to the Italian Gardens.

We arrive at the Italian Gardens in time for an act of worship for Good Friday from about 12.30pm. The service will be led by local church leaders with worship led by local singers and musicians.

If it is raining very badly, we will forego the walk and meet for the act of worship at Emmanuel Church at 12 noon.

Worle Churches Joint Service - Worle High Street

The Worle and outlying churches will be holding individual services before processing to a joint Good Friday service of witness outside the Co-Op at Worle High Street at 11.15am.

Easter Sunday Sunrise Service

We highly recommend setting your alarm clock so that you are able to join us for the Easter Sunday Sunrise Service which is to be held on Sunday 17th April 2022, at 6.30am, on the Sea Front opposite Carlton Street. The service will be led by Rev Craig Philbrick, the newly install vicar of St Paul's Church, Walliscote Road, Weston. This joyful gathering will be followed by bacon rolls (and a non-meat alternative) on the seafront, kindly provided by the Salvation Army fellowship.  

We will be giving out bacon rolls to passers-by as we share the good news of Easter!

You are welcome to join us!

The team at Redeeming Our Communities are aware of a number of people trying to match themselves to Ukrainian refugees to be able to offer to host them under the Homes for Ukraine Government Scheme in Weston and surrounding areas.

It was suggested that ROC creates a forum/support group for everyone to share and learn information together on Facebook might be helpful and have set up the following Facebook Group.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2310395542436306/

This forum is also for people who want to support in practical ways but are not in a position to host a refugee(s) as well.

ROC is inviting Ukrainians to join - those who already live here and those hoping to come but it is not matching site as there are many other excellent ones but we can help guide people to the better ones and also through the lengthy application process - they have done it a number of times now and learning each time as it isn’t intuitive, unfortunately.

They are also working with VANS who is helping coordinate the extraordinary volunteer outpouring of kindness and link them up together and hope to meet with Councillors soon to agree a joint eta of working to ensure Weston welcomes and supports refugees in the best possible way.

Please let's help get the message out about this important project!

More info from:

Dave and Penny Hynds
ROC Weston super Mare Action Group Leaders
07974029848

#ukrainianhomes #UkrainianRefugees #rocwsm

Last Sunday many people came together from across our town to Pray for Ukraine. Each week during this tragic and shocking war, two local churches are opening their doors to facilitate hour-long evening vigils. We pray for all those affected by this deepening crisis. This Sunday, vigils are taking place at Milton Baptist Church and Clarence Park Baptist Church, at 6pm.

Bob McKay, Pastor of Milton Baptist Church said, 'We welcome anyone who wants to gather to pray and express solidarity with the people of Ukraine this Sunday. We meet at 6pm for an hour, during which time there will be testimonies from Ukraine, feedback on this last week, and space to pray and be still together. We will conclude with a House of Prayer Blessing over the Nation of Ukraine.

Pastor Steve Christian at Clarence Park Baptist Church said, 'This Sunday, all are welcome to join with us as we continue to remember in prayer those affected by the war in Ukraine before God. In our prayers, we will continue to pray for peace and an end to the conflict, to pray for those whose lives have been shattered by the invasion from Russia, and to pray for world leaders that they may know God's help in the difficult decisions that they have to make.

For more info, see the full schedule at https://ctwd.org.uk, which we hope can be drawn short as soon as the conflict ends. Further prayer resources are on the CTWD Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/churchestogetherwsm/

WEEKLY GATHERINGS TO PRAY FOR UKRAINE

Churches across Weston-super-Mare and District invite the whole community to join them each Sunday as they gather to worship and pray especially for the Ukraine War.

Details of each church’s Sunday morning service times and links are on the CTWD website.

Weekly Vigils for the UKRAINE War

Each Sunday evening at 6pm, we will be gathering together informally at two of our town centre and outlying Churches for prayer, reflection, sharing and to express solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

Here are the churches and links to further details:

We sincerely hope, trust and pray that the hostilities are over well before this schedule is completed.

Follow Churches Together Weston on Facebook and Instagram for more info.