We have just completed week two of our Summer Club for local children and our sessions have been very well attended and a lot of fun with a splash of hard work for the grown ups! We began both session with a healthy and tasty cooked lunch which the children made short work of. Week one we had a visit from Bryan Lee from the Coalfields LAF Team who did some great physical exercise games with our 60+ children split into two groups. We also enjoyed some fun games with music lead by Rev Judith Howes and the Kepier Halls Dawn Wright. The children were sent home worn out but happy with a healthy packed tea.
Week two and another healthy cooked lunch this time followed by some fabulous craft activities lead by Denise Hepplewhite from Apextra Family Learning and the wonderful leaders of our Rainbows, Brownies and Guides. The children made some fantastic sea related items and then we had games lead by Rox Nicholl. Some of the children were very good and not doing the actions during a game of ‘Rox Said’ and they took a long while to be whittled down to a winner! Huge thanks to all the very hard working volunteers who slaved in the kitchen cooking and washing up, helped with the craft activities and made sure all the children were safe and had fun. This project was funded by a Community Chest Grant from our ever supportive local Councillors
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It was an emotional service with a full church this morning as Rector Sue conducted her last Sunday Eucharist with us. Rector Sue did a very rousing sermon based around Bernard Gilpin which gave us all lots of encouragement to carry on with the good work we are already doing and keep her legacy alive. She spoke about Generosity, Inclusion, Love & Laughter, (fighting)Injustice & Nurture. Distributing holy communion to the gathered congregation was very moving for both Sue and those who received and there were a good few tears. However, there was also celebration and thanks in speeches from church warden Simon, Councillor Juliana Heron, the Rainbows, Brownies and Guides and the Lord Lieutenant. Young church had been working on a marvellous farewell gift which you can see in great detail in the photos below. We ended our farewell in true St Michael’s style with tea, coffee and a gorgeous cake baked by Simon and decorated by Damien.
happiness and success as she moves on to new adventures and challenges in Wales.
On Thursday 14th June Space4 hosted a special lunchtime event to say a fond farewell to Rector Sue before she heads off to be an Archdeacon in Wales. Old faces and new gathered to share memories to wish the woman, without whom, there would be no Space4. An idea on the back of an envelope, vision and drive made our church community project a reality nearly 5 years ago. More recently when our position in our current home came under threat, it was Rector Sue who negotiated with the powers that be to secure us a lease and three years security. We are very sad to see her go but happy that she will be sharing her many talents and taking on new challenges. No one every imagined the success that Space4 has been, probably not even Rector Sue and we will carry on the good work as part of her legacy to Houghton le Spring.
