Church of the Ascension in Wall Heath host ‘Soul Food’ every other Tuesday evening from 5pm. This is a New Worshipping Community which offers a more informal way of doing church. Each week has a theme and in their last session before Christmas this was ‘joy and connection’. As well as discussing this theme, they also demonstrated it, filling shoeboxes with gifts for families in need in the Wall Heath community, to connect them with the joy of the Christmas season.
Soul Food has been running for just over a year and aims to offer a warm and friendly welcome to all. It’s usually attended by around 25-30 people from the local community and is very popular with local families.
Elaine, aged 14 and her grandmother Jay attend regularly. Elaine describes Soul Food as ‘lively’ and Jay adds: “It’s a really nice mix of things. We really enjoy it”
Family members Sue, Hayley and Adam have been coming since the beginning. Sue said: “We find Soul Food to be very welcoming, informal and relaxed with all age groups mixing together. The children don’t feel they have to sit silently and even though it’s not pitched at only their level, they still get a lot out of it because of the use of videos and different themes.”
The theme of ‘joy and connection’ at the last session of the year, reiterated how God has made us for connection with others. The session focused on the Christmas story through Mary’s eyes and the bible passage Luke 1: 30 where an angel speaks to Mary to share with her the news that even though she is a virgin, she will give birth to a baby boy, the Son of God. 
A discussion followed about this passage with Children and Family Minister Sian Morgan asking the group how they might have reacted in similar circumstances. It was suggested they might have hid or run away. Mary however, through connecting with God, her cousin Elizabeth and a wider hope, came to feel comforted, anchored and guided; No longer alone.
The very special activity for the session linked with the theme, aiming to help others in the community find that same connection, hope and joy. Having collected donations in the previous weeks, each person there was given an empty shoe box with the age and gender of a child living in temporary accommodation and asked to fill it with appropriate gifts. These were then placed on the altar and all those present were invited to join in with saying a prayer of blessing over the boxes before they were donated to local charities and organisations supporting these families.
Sonia attends Soul Food with her granddaughter, Fallon, aged 13. They find it to be fulfilling, warm and welcoming and Fallon enjoys the upbeat songs in particular.
Sonia said:
“It’s been great to do this activity as part of Soul Food. It’s inclusive and poignant. The children are best placed to choose what gifts will mean the most to children of a similar age and this reminds us that those experiencing temporary accommodation are no different to the rest of us really. It’s important to remember that we’re all connected and should be showing these families compassion for their situation, especially at Christmas. I really hope these gifts bring them encouragement and comfort during this season.”
