Registered Noise/Social Action Project
Church/group name:
Ebenezer Church, Horfield
Bristol...
Church/group contact:
Stewart North
How many people take part in the projects?
About 400
When do your social action projects take place?
3rd - 5th May 2008
Where do they take place and what is the area like?
'The Noise' is now a permanent fixture in North Bristol and it keeps growing.
This is the 7th year running that local churches have joined together to serve the communities of Horfield, Lockleaze, Manor Farm and for the first time - Southmead.
Over the May Bank Holiday Weekend (3rd May - 5th May), Ebenezer Church, Woodlands Church and the local 'Churches Together' groups will be working hard on a range of projects, which are designed to benefit and reach as many sectors of the community as possible. Christians from churches across Bristol will join the local church in showing God's love in practical ways.
Volunteers website:
http://www.northbristolnoise.org.uk
Community website:
http://www.thenoise.org.uk
Here the North Bristol Noise podcast...
The dudes over in North Bristol have put together a very cool Podcast that talks a biot more about the upcoming events. To have a listen just click the link below. It will open your iTunes store (if you don't have an iTunes then you'll need to get that for free here: GO>>) where you can choose to donwload the show...
Download the podcast: GO>>
What happened...
(Click on the pictures to see more...)
Over the May Bank Holiday weekend, ‘The Noise’ transformed the communities of Horfield, Lockleaze, Manor Farm and Southmead. The weekend saw more than 350 volunteers from local churches, and some even coming from as far as Swansea, working together on a variety of projects serving the community.
There were activities provided for the whole community. On both Saturday and Monday morning three different Kids Clubs with a ‘Party’ theme took place, where around 60 kids had a great time playing games, singing, doing different crafts and loads more.
The afternoons were a time for the whole family as Horfield Common, Gainsborough Square in Lockleaze and Glencoyne Square in Southmead were transformed with giant inflatable games, competitions, and face painters. Hundreds of people turned up to enjoy the family atmosphere and take part in the different games, including the infamous talent contest, on the Roadshow stage. A team of football coaches were on hand to pass on their skills and organize matches. And if all of that was too much, there was an opportunity to relax and get refreshed in the café area.
The Senior Citizens were treated to a three-course dinner on Sunday afternoon – with two banquets taking place, one in Horfield, and one for the first time in Southmead. The Horfield Banquet is an event that is looked forward to by many in the local community, this year a record 90 people attended.
On top of all this, throughout the weekend over 30 different ‘Transformation Projects’ happened all over Horfield, Lockleaze, Manor Farm and Southmead. These included, redecorating the staff room at Badocks Wood Primary School, painting in Filton Avenue Infants School, a general tidy up at The Vench in Lockleaze, and rubbish and litter clearance in all areas.
And it wasn’t just the ‘grown ups’ who volunteered to help out, this year saw the largest ‘Noise Kids Team’ take part. Over 20 children aged 8-13 worked on projects in the local area including painting in a school, demolishing unwanted fences, clearing rubbish and running games at the Fun Afternoon.
Stewart North, a Key Leader at Ebenezer Church, says “It was great to see so many volunteers from so many different churches give up their weekend to show God’s love to our community in very practical ways. The response from the community was positive; especially as so many turned up to our first ever Fun Afternoon in Southmead on the Monday. We hope that we can continue to build relationships with the people we met over the weekend.”
The events of ‘The Noise’ weekend are probably the most visible and high profile part of the local churches' work within the community, but this work does not end here! Many of the projects run throughout the year – such as kids clubs, sports activities, and events for senior citizens.
Prayer requests
Praise points...
1) For the growth of The Noise this year, as it extends into Southmead.
2) For positive responses from the many people (residents and local workers) who have attended the community presentations.
3) For financial provision.
4) For the involvement of so many local churches in the areas involved, all working together to make The Noise possible.
Prayer points
1) For continued building of positive relationships with residents and workers within the communities – particularly in Southmead where The Noise is a new venture this year.
2) For someone to head up the Lockleaze Kids Club.
3) For the Project Managers who are busy assessing many potential projects. Pray for wisdom, discernment and energy for them.
4) For Ben Rice and others helping him as they put the finishing touches to various flyers and the community website, and that this publicity will be effective in engaging the local community.
5) For the sports team as they meet together and plan for the weekend.
If you're responsible for this project and would like to update this page with more info, photo's and strories then just drop an email to:
info@soulaction.org: GO>>
