The West Worcester Beacon Team (Hallow, Grimley, Holt & Lower Broadheath) started their new worshipping community, ‘Wild Church’ at Holt Church last Spring. Each month, people gather to worship God outside, whatever the weather, and they have worked with a local charity, Wildgoose, who have created a number of benches for people to use.
Vicar, Kalantha Brewis, said: “We were awarded a grant from the Kingdom People Fund to enable use to buy some equipment for Wild Church and one of the things we felt would be useful was some seating. Wildgoose offered to help with some of their students creating benches. We used some of the grant to give a donation to the centre to cover the cost of the timber.”
Wildgoose is a day centre for adults with learning difficulties and children who struggle at school. On a 42-acre care farm and nature reserve, they offer a whole range of activities for their students to get involved with, as well as running a café on site.
Jim Hidderley is Managing Director at Wildgoose. He said: “Our centre is right in the middle of Holt and Grimley churches and is a nature and conservation area, so Wild Church fits well with our ethos. The benches were made from reclaimed timber and were put together, sanded and painted by one of our groups of disabled adults. It was a lovely thing to be able to do for the community. The students really enjoyed making the benches and as they often walk to Holt Church and sit in the churchyard, they get a chance to use them too! It is great to be able to help people enjoy creation and worship in a green space.”
“The benches are lovely and chunky,” said Kalanatha. “They are sturdy, but also portable and alongside Wild Church, they’ve also been used during our flower festival when we had lots of people coming through the churchyard, and as part of our quarterly quiet day at Holt Church. It has been great to build the connection with Wildgoose and support each other and we are grateful for the grant from the Kingdom People Fund in enabling us to do that.”
The West Worcester Beacon Team continue to build on their links with the charity. One of the churchwardens at Hallow is now a Trustee, the centre was recently used for a benefice away day and Wildgoose’s annual awards will shortly be held at Hallow Church for the second year.
“We are always open to talking to people about what we can do for them,” said Jim. “It is great for our students to feel part of the local community.”
Find out how your church could apply for a grant from the Kingdom People Fund
