Calling all parishioners! Would you like to be part of something positive and uplifting that involves sharing God’s love in simple and gentle ways with others in our Bishop’s Stortford community?
Maybe you’ve experienced the fun of carnival day here in Bishop’s Stortford before? It is a wonderful community moment – a celebration of Bishop’s Stortford in all its colour! Well, for a number of years now, Churches Together has tried to bring the message of God’s love to the carnival atmosphere, with its own float and stall in Sworder’s Field, in the main town park. The intention is to share the basic and simple message that “You are loved by God” to carnival-goers and the wider community. Done in a simple way – no big words needed! Just your presence, your smile and your hands to show some true Christian kindness to others.
The fun starts on Saturday 18 June. Volunteers are invited to gather from 11:15 am at the Baptist Church (Twyford Road CM23 3LJ) to prepare and pray, before heading out at 12:00 pm to join the parade and the “Love Stortford” float on South Street.
During the procession (12:30-1:30 pm) – with all volunteers wearing a Love Stortford T-Shirt – we will hand out small gifts to the crowd – Love Heart Sweets, along with a “Love Stortford” card.
On the field at the end of the parade, Churches Together will be serving tea and coffee and offering prayer.
You can choose to be part of other related Love Stortford activities during the week following (18- 24 June), such as performing random acts of kindness, serving free drinks to shoppers on market day, bringing gifts to the elderly in care homes or helping with litter picking to clean up our community.
No expertise or prior experience needed – these are things we can all get involved with. All you need is some enthusiasm and a willingness to give a few hours of your time to show some Christian love to our community!
There are volunteer handbooks for anyone willing to take part, with all the fine detail of how you can get involved and with QR codes galore, as an easy way of signing up to help with each activity! This is a wonderful opportunity to give some practical service for a positive aim. As well as what has been mentioned above, general help getting these events off the ground with setting up and tidying up are included as ways of participating.
So, do let’s get out there as a parish and celebrate our faith!
For more info or if you have any questions, please do email Sophie: bstortfordcatechist@rcdow.org.uk or ring the parish office on 01279 654 063. You can also download a PDF version of the volunteer booklet to find out more.
You are encouraged to order your own t-shirt for the events (at cost, at £7 a t-shirt) from the Community Church, Bishop’s Stortford (Water Lane, CM23 2JZ), which you can do Tuesday to Thursday during office hours (01279 461231) OR order online.
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