Celebrating the Heart of Our Church: Our Volunteers 💛

On 20th February, we gathered for a very special evening to celebrate something truly precious to us: our volunteers.

With over 50 dedicated volunteers, our church simply would not be able to run without their time, commitment, and love. Each person gives so generously, often behind the scenes, and together they help create a place where everyone feels welcomed, supported, and valued.

Our volunteers serve across so many areas of church life. From our in-house café, Common Ground, and the Community Groceries, to the cleaning and maintenance teams who care for our building. From our faithful trustees and Eden Team, to The Welcome Project and our Sunday volunteers who greet people with warmth as they arrive and support services before, during, and after.

Meet Michael Screaton, one of our dedicated volunteers who has been serving with us for nearly four years. Michael first came through our doors thanks to his dad, one of our Sunday musicians, who encouraged him to get involved after a visit to Common Ground café. What started as a simple way “to get out of the house and do something” soon became a life-changing journey. Through volunteering, Michael has discovered a sense of purpose, grown in confidence, and touched the lives of so many in our community. He said:

“When I first joined, I had lost all my social skills and was in a really bad place. Through volunteering, I’ve gained so much confidence — now I can talk to anyone… There was one time where I was signing someone up to join the grocery and they told me their whole story about how difficult their life had been, and they started to tear up. It was like a godsend for them… and I felt that just signing her up could brighten her day for the rest of the week.”

Another volunteer, who wishes to remain anonymous, has been serving at the Community Groceries for nearly three years. As he says, “It brought me closer to the community and made me feel part of something meaningful.”

Every volunteer brings not only practical help, but heart. They serve with kindness, humility, and a genuine desire to bless others. Through their hands-on approach, they help our church grow and strengthen our wider community.

We also are especially thankful for our Kids Ministry Team, who work alongside our wonderful Children’s Pastor, Jan Peters, to run Little Gems, Kidz Club, and Sunday School. Their love, patience, and creativity help nurture the next generation and make church a joyful and inviting place for our children.

Our Volunteers Celebration was a beautiful reflection of this spirit. We enjoyed a relaxed evening filled with delicious desserts, laughter, and games. Most moving of all were the stories we shared. We heard how volunteering has changed lives — building confidence, creating friendships, and offering purpose — and how, through simple acts of service, our volunteers have helped transform the lives of others too.

It was a powerful reminder that when people come together with love and willingness, amazing things happen.

Lord God,

We thank You for every volunteer who gives their time, energy, and heart to serve others.

Thank You for their faithfulness, compassion, and generosity.

We pray that You would bless them abundantly.

Give them strength when they feel tired,

Joy in their service,

Peace in their hearts,

And reassurance that their work truly matters.

May they know how deeply valued and appreciated they are,

And may they continue to be a light in our church and community.

Amen.

To every one of our volunteers: thank you. Thank you for your commitment, your kindness, and your willingness to serve. You are the heartbeat of our church, and we are deeply grateful for all that you do. We are so blessed to serve alongside you. 💛

Thinking About Volunteering?

As you read this, we’d love to invite you to pause and reflect:

Is God stirring something in your heart to get involved and serve?

Could you be part of the story He is writing in our church and community?

If you’d like to explore volunteering with us, we’d love to hear from you. Please visit our Volunteer page to find out more and take your next step.

Together, we can continue to grow, serve, and share love in our community.