Living Hope
"Live a life of love, just as Christ loved us"
Ephesians 5:2
Living Hope is St Mary's response to Jesus' call to love our local and global neighbour. God has given us all different passions and interests, and so many different projects flow out from our desire to put our love into action.
We love our local community and appreciate that this is a hard time financially for many. Our Warm Welcome project is opening from 3.30-6.00pm Monday and Friday from November to April. It will provide a warm and welcome space with tea, coffee, warm snacks, board games and other activities. Everyone is welcome and we look forward to seeing people there.

On Mondays, 1-3pm, we run a Gardening Club in the Vicarage Garden. We are growing vegetables, and plants which will attract wildlife and increase biodiversity. Come and join us a we start to transform our little plot of land! Gardening is great for wellbeing, and we would love to have your company as we garden together. Or if you just fancy coming for some company, a cuppa and a seat in the sun (not guarenteed!), you are most welcome. St Mary's is also part of A Rocha's Eco Church and we are working towards our silver award. We have a small group who consider how the church can best live lightly and take care of God's amazing creation.

Saved! is our food waste project in partnership with local supermarkets. Since its beginning, we have saved 1000s of grocery trays of food from landfill. We collect surplus food, several times a week from local supermarkets. We love it when food can go to those for whom it really blesses, but the bottom line is we don't want it to be wasted! We have a constant flow of surplus food coming and the produce doesn't last long, so do help us by taking what you can use. Saved! food is available during Cafe Hope opening hours. You are welcome to come in during that time to see what is available. We have the greatest variety of food on Fridays.

The COOK Project is our partnership with our local COOK shop who provide us with lovely frozen ready meals each week to give to local people. We are so grateful for them! We provide meals for the elderly, people who are struggling with illness, new parents or those struggling financially. If you know anyone who would benefit from COOK meals please get in touch.
We have recently finished our Ukrainian Get Together, but are instead have a more informal meet up in our church cafe, Cafe Hope, both for Ukrainian's who have just arrived or are now more settled. This is a time for connection, sharing information and making friends. Look out for the reserved table! If you need more information about initially settling into the UK then please contact Caroline.
Our English Classes in partnership with Blackbird English are now underway. They are for those from any nation who wish to learn English as a second language. Please contact Sarah at livinglanguageproject.co.uk for more information. Sarah also runs English Conversation Classes on Mondays at 12 noon in the Church.

Our monthly Hope Supper takes place on the 2nd Thursday of the month. This is a time of gathering for all ages around a two course meal. We spend time with friends and make new ones. All from the church and community are welcome. Please sign up by calling the office or on the sign up sheet on the Welcome desk.

Every Friday during term time we have a Coffee Morning for those in retirement. It is a time of making friends, fun and laughter over a cuppa and a piece of cake. We have a simple activity and a short faith thought each week. Come along any time and we'd love to welcome you.

Living Hope frequently supports good causes in various ways. Recently we did a collection for CHESS homeless charity, supplied 'recipe bags' for Foodbank recipients at Christmas, and have done various fundraising events for Tearfund.
We believe that prayer changes situations and helps us to understand the heart of God. Join us in praying for Living Hope projects and the persecuted church. Jesus offers us life transforming hope and so we love to share the good news of Jesus through our projects.

For more information, or to get involved, please contact Caroline Macdonald or call 020 8508 3643.
Caroline Macdonald, 17/05/2021