YMCA Chaplains Adapt and Innovate to Meet Local Needs

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Here is an extract from their latest newsletter:

The chaplaincy sessions have been well-attended (nearly 600 attendances in the past 3 months!) and a really good way for residents to socialize safely in a time when it is easy to feel disconnected and alone. There have also been additional sessions at our lower support housing projects (usually tea, snacks and a chat) and it has been really good to be able to offer these. We have had lovely feedback from residents (“Wednesday, chaplaincy day, is my favourite day of the week” ) and staff (“it’s nice to see a different face”)  as well as external agencies such as social workers (“I think chaplaincy has really made a difference at the Foyer “).

Unfortunately, the latest lockdown has meant that we can no longer do shared meals and group activities have been put on hold at the projects in order to minimise the risk of Covid-transmission. We are exploring online chaplaincy sessions and we have also started having 1-1 walks with residents. Please keep our residents and staff in your prayers at this challenging time – we are so very grateful not to have had any significant Covid outbreaks at our projects, but the restrictions take a toll.

Find out more and how your church can support them here

Chaplaincy volunteering is temporarily on hold but if you are interested in finding out more about this for the (hopefully!) near future please contact one our chaplains:

West Sussex – Samantha Burton  : Work mobile: 07557855779 | Email: samantha.burton@ymcadlg.org

Brighton and Hove – Lucy McGrath: Work mobile: 07741240452 | Email: lucy.mcgrath@ymcadlg.org

East Sussex – Elly McKay-Smith – Work mobile: 07884 549308 | Email: elly.mckay-smith@ymcadlg.org

Archbishop urges 6pm daily prayer amid coronavirus concerns

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In response to reaching the terrible milestone of 100,000 deaths from COVID-19, the Archbishops invite all to call on God in Prayer. Starting on 1 February we invite you to set aside time every evening to pray, particularly at 6pm each day. More than ever, this is a time when we need to love each other. Prayer is an expression of love.

Find more here including the call to prayer and a prayer resource.

Eastbourne Day of Prayer Draws 25 Churches and Over 200 People Together

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An estimated 250 people from 25 different churches took part in Pray for Eastbourne – a morning of prayer for the town, which took place on Zoom on Saturday 23 January 2021.

The event was led by leaders from four different churches: St John’s Meads with St Michael and All Angels; The Well Community Church in Langney; St Mary’s Old Town and Gateway Church in Hampden Park. Guests, who contributed prayer points throughout the morning, included the Bishop of Lewes and Eastbourne’s MP Caroline Ansell, as well as more than a dozen spokespeople from different ministries and organisations in the town such as Foodbank, St Wilfred’s Hospice, Kingdom Way Trust, Matthew 25 and many others.

Feedback from those taking part in the morning was hugely positive with several commenting on how encouraging it was to hear from such a wide range of ministries and to learn how they have continued to work through the pandemic. The 80-120 people who were attending at any one time, divided into breakout rooms in groups of eight, after hearing from the speakers. They then had time to pray, often with people from different churches to their own. Even after the four-hour event ended, more than 50 stayed online, reluctant to leave, having enjoyed the morning of prayer and fellowship across the range of churches from different denominations.

Eastbourne Holocaust Memorial Online This Year

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“Shoes on the Danube bank” – Monument as a memorial of the victims of the Holocaust during WWII on the bank of the Danube, Budapest, Hungary.

The council would like to extend a huge thank you to all the community members who have put so much time into gathering resources for the hub and sharing  their ideas and wisdom. A special thank you goes to Stephen Rosenberg, Dorit Oliver-Wolff BEM and Robin and Ruth Foster. This extensive resource and a wide variety of related resources can be found at https://www.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/community/holocaust-memorial-day-2021/

Foodbank Finance Volunteer Vacancy

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Eastbourne Foodbank Finance Assistant

We have a vacancy for a finance assistant to process financial donations and invoices requiring payment. We use the accounting package Quickbooks and full training will be provided.  You would work under the guidance of the Finance Director.

It will be necessary to work from our office in Brampton Road.  This role should take no longer than 3 or 4 hours a week.

Applicants must be confident of using a computer.  Willingness to learn is more important than previous experience – although that is of course very helpful.

If you would be interested to find out more please contact Howard Wardle – Chief Executive on info@eastbourne.foodbank.org.uk

Faith Charities Aiding Pushback Against Vaccine Myths

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Two faith charities will be partnering with local councils to help correct misinformation about the Covid-19 vaccine in the communities they serve.

The UK Government announced on Monday that Near Neighbours will receive £1 million and Strengthening Faith Institutions will be awarded £1.15 million.

It’s part of a wider government scheme called “Community Champions” which will make £23 million available to councils in England to help dispel myths about Covid-19 and about the coronavirus vaccine, and boost take-up of the jab.

Read More

Travelling to Vaccination Appointments

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Your church may be a vital conduit of important information at this time. You might want to consider putting the item below from a local NHS briefing in your regular communications.

For some patients, their local vaccination site may be within driving distance. For those who do not have access to a car, Government guidelines state that family and friends of elderly patients are still permitted to take them to their COVID-19 vaccine appointment under the exemption of ‘providing care for the vulnerable’.

If the patient does not have transport in place to attend their vaccination, arrangements will be made on their behalf.

We’re in the process of organising a range of transport options and will be informing you of these plans next week.

Please continue to look at our COVID-19 Vaccination Programme FAQs for up to date information.

Eastbourne Branch of the World Day of Prayer Announce March Online Event

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World Day of Prayer is a women led, global, ecumenical movement and The Day of Prayer is celebrated in over 170 countries. It begins in Samoa and prayer in native languages travels throughout the world – through Asia, Africa, the Middle East Europe and the Americas before finishing in American Samoa 36 hours later.
Women of the Republic of Vanuatu (located in the South Pacific Ocean) have prepared this year’s service.  Women, men and children of all ages are called to ‘Build on a Strong Foundation’ and live in unity, love and peace. We will learn more during the service about their country and the challenges they currently face.
Due to the pandemic, the Eastbourne committee representing several local churches, will not be arranging a church service this year, but we WILL be hosting a Zoom service at 2.15pm on 5th March. Those wishing to join the service will need to contact Margaret Stirmey by phone on 01323 731891 to receive the link, and also the service booklet for them to follow.

Bringing hope to local families – news from Safe Families

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Bringing hope to local families – news from Safe Families

At Safe Families, we know that many churches long to share God’s love, hope and encouragement with people in their local communities. We offer a safe and effective way for churches to do this, especially while so many other activities have had to be suspended.

We are a national Christian charity and have been awarded a contract with East Sussex County Council to support local families who are feeling isolated or are struggling in some way. We help connect volunteers from your congregations with a family that has requested support to help build relationships that bring hope, connection and belonging.

Volunteers are trained and supported by our local team, so no administrative or financial burden is placed on the church.

We’d love to tell you more about how it works and see if we could be part of your mission to bless Eastbourne.  Please visit our website https://safefamilies.uk/church/  or contact Rosie at rosiedracott@safefamilies.uk.