EASTER at Baptist Church 2017

GOOD FRIDAY-14th April. 2pm: Joint service at St Marys.

7pm: At SBC, Reflection; Why...?

EASTER DAY- Sunday 16th April. 6.30am: Sunrise Service at How Hill. (Next to car park) 8.30am: Breakfast in The Stables. T. 01692 582731 to book breakfast. CELEBRATION Service. 10.45am: In the Church

You are welcome to come along to any of these services, God welcomes all sorts, even us! So join the throng... Celebrate God’s amazing love.

Stalham Baptist Church is located at the roundabout end of Stalham High Street .

IN THIS ISSUE Hello Welcome to the first edition of Community Scene produced by Stalham Baptist Church. The plan is to produce three magazines a year, Easter, Harvest Festival and but you Page 4 can always find all the local news on our online New High School Head magazine www.communityscene.org.uk Talks of the first Send us all your news about all the great things few terms. going on in our area and we will get it online. Page 5 A really big thankyou to Steve English, who has Stalham girl working produced all our great cartoons. with refugees. You can contact us at [email protected] or phone David Page 6 on 07799262645. A look at Stalham Baptist Church. Page 7 What's happening for young people. Page 7 Page 8 Page 8 The destroys local coastal village. Page 9 Meet Ron Skivington. Page 10 Sporting Scene a man for all seasons. Page 11 TWAM tools with a mission. Page 12 Vineyard. Page 13 What's On At Stalham Baptist Church. Page 14 For all you word search and crossword fans. Page 15 Meet Jerry, Simone and baby Elsa.

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Community Scene Easter 2017 3 www.communityscene.org.uk

School Scene From the Head

s it nearly Easter already?! competition into which students quality of Year 11 applications Writes Martin Budgett Head and staff threw their energy and to be student leaders for each Teacher of Stalham High baking skills to wonderful House, too. After a robust short School. Where on earth did effect. The atmosphere was -listing process, students were I the terms go to? always a mixture of excitement interviewed by senior staff; subsequently, four teams of Pausing and reflecting on the three (Head of House and two many weeks of this academic deputies) were appointed to year has made me feel proud of From the moment I set these key roles designed to everyone at Stalham High assist the Lead Teachers for the School, for the way that they foot in the building on Houses in organising various have settled into this ‘new events. chapter’ in the school’s life and interview, I have been worked hard to make it as good conscious of the very I was proud to be accompanied an experience as possible. to the Stalham Remembrance special atmosphere in Service by two of those Lead Much has been achieved, and we the school in which Students, Martha and India, who have been delighted by the carried out their civic duties as positive feedback that has come students and staff live in representatives of the school from students and staff parents with appropriate dignity. and the community, all of whom remarkable harmony. are noticing the good work and Our Musicians have continued to developments that have taken demonstrate their talent and place this term – illustrating enthusiasm through a Joint Jam that our drive for Quality, and tension, just like the real at , a Consistency and Communication thing, and the outcomes proved great concert here this week, is beginning to have impact to be highly edible on a weekly and, most excitingly, the across many areas of the basis! My thanks to those professionally-produced CD school’s life. students who wandered through which showcases the very best the school offering their produce of our talent pool! Of course, there is still much to to anyone they came across! be achieved, but everyone Contact with our community is should feel satisfied, if probably Competition in a variety of areas an important aspect of our work rather tired, at this point of the has also been high, with Spelling and we are seeking to develop year! Bee, Chess, and a range of this in a variety of ways. I meet sporting activities, providing with various members of the The successes have been many. students with opportunities to community on the First Friday of represent their houses. each month for ‘Elevenses’ and Building on the positive feel We were delighted with the this has proved both informative from our Open Evening, we have and positive. continued to be proud of many achievements. From the moment I set foot in the building on interview, I have Whilst sporting scores may not been conscious of the very have always gone in our favour, special atmosphere in the school we have enjoyed some great in which students and staff live victories. However, almost more in remarkable harmony. importantly, the consistently positive feedback from Visitors to the school, opposition staff about how well particularly supply staff, our players committed to the constantly remark on how games and conducted wonderful our students are. themselves, is a great reflection on the spirit of our students. Along with many students who have made the comment, I am A major highlight was the inter- proud to be a part of this school house ‘Great Stalham Bake Off’ and its wider community.

Community Scene Easter 2017 4 www.communityscene.org.uk

y name is Abbey, I attended Stalham It was then that I realised that each of us have a High School, and have lived in Stalham responsibility of compassion- that one day for 10 years now. someone will ask us what we did to help. is historically a Christian nation, yet currently are MProbably all of you have followed the migrant we trying to preserve our ‘Christian culture’ crisis, even if you didn't choose by acting un-Christian in this to, it’s unavoidable on the news crisis? and radio everyday! I, like most of you, found it shocking, and England is historically I am currently doing a the numbers bewildering, but it discipleship training school didn’t affect the rest of my day. a Christian nation, yet (DTS) with a Christian currently are we trying organisation YWAM. Except one time, I was listening to the radio, and I heard an to preserve our The DTS has a refugee focus, so interview with a Syrian doctor. we have been working with ‘Christian culture’ refugees for the full 6 months. I was expecting the usual flat by acting un-Christian For the first 3 months we and hopeless report of volunteered in Greece, at Moria bombings, so was taken aback in this crisis? refugee camp, doing very basic by the passion in his voice. He work of distributing clothes, spoke angrily ‘Why are you not tents and food. doing more?’ he asked. Conditions in Moria were very poor, because originally it only served as an overnight stop before being moved on- however now, due to the huge number of people coming and a new migration policy that has tightened borders, those in Moria will be there for at least 6 months before being processed for asylum or deportation.

It’s frustrating for many who have gone through so much for the dream of freedom, yet they are still trapped, unable to go home or move forward.

Even after leaving, I still remember and am struck by how incredibly resilient and gracious they were. I’m certain I would not be like that after sleeping in a thin wet tent for a week, let alone six months.

Now we are travelling in Turkey, volunteering at different existing refugee projects.

The opportunities to be involved are very varied: we spent 3 weeks running art classes at a school for Syrian children, all from Aleppo; 1 week doing conversation English classes with Syrian college students; and are currently working with Syrian women, training them in business skills so they can be financially self-sufficient after losing husbands in the war.

Most of the refugees we have met hope to go back to their homes once the problems are over.

As for me, I feel very fortunate to be coming home to Stalham, and I hope they will soon be able to return to where they call home.

Community Scene Easter 2017 5 www.communityscene.org.uk

SBC Scene Welcome To Stalham Baptist Church

chilly, damp Victorian not what they were expecting. the Schoolroom open every chapel in North Not just a modern feeling Monday morning Tuesday evening has been transformed building but a warm welcome and Thursday morning. into a warm and Georgina said on her first visit Awelcoming place to worship after “It’s not what I expected it’s not Under the stage is the Baptistry a major makeover. Headlined the at all sombre everyone seems so (pictured below) where adult EDP in January 2013. happy” everyone is welcome at baptisms are carried out, the emersion is a part of the churches A £160,000 refurbishment had name and recognises a personal turned Stalham Baptist Church commitment to Jesus. into a bright positive “It’s not what Many families bring their multipurpose modern place of youngsters to the church to be worship. I expected blessed during the Sunday It’s not at all sombre service. Gone went the old pews to be replaced by chairs and the everyone seems so SBC also offers a prayer service heating system was upgraded happy” there are always people creating a snug cosy warm church available to help in prayer or you no matter how much the cold can ask for prayers to be said. east wind blows. Stalham Baptist Church. Jesus is at the centre of Stalham The services are controlled from Not all of the old has gone the Baptist Church and its work in the computerised hub at the centre of upstairs balcony which gives a wider community. Its mission is the church, musicians which often great panoramic view of the main to bring His life changing love include guitarist, electronic hall still has the old wooden into the hearts of all those organist, drummer and pews. looking to escape a life of hollow

Attached to the main building are the Stables and Schoolroom which are centres for weekly activities for people across the age spectrum.

After every service tea, coffee and some very good cakes are available in the Stables. saxophonist are linked to the sound system as is anyone The church is becoming a hub for talking to the congregation, community support every Friday words for songs are relayed to afternoon the Foodbank and three big screens. Citizens Advice Bureau are to be striving for empty outcomes to found in the Stables, courses to bring meaning to what only at From the outside SBC has the help people with financial issues times seems an existence. look of a solid Victorian building (CAP) are available through the as you would expect from a year and Norman Lamb regularly For more information or help structure completed in 1884 but holds surgery in the Stables. Not phone 01692 582731. for first time visitors the inside is forgetting the Community Gym in

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Marvellous Monday A great after-school club for children from Reception to Year 3. It is held in Stalham Baptist Church Schoolroom and we are open in term time from 3pm to 4.30pm. We offer a snack and a drink when the children first arrive, then different activities are on offer, varying from week to week: Lego, play dough, clay, board games, colouring, painting, junk modelling, biscuit decorating and various craft activities. We finish with a Bible story, song and game. Parents/carers are welcome!

Pop-up-Cafe always a children's section to the services which is Is held in the Schoolroom next to Stalham Baptist normally very entertaining. Part way through they Church. We are open most Thursdays from 2.30pm go off to make craft items, ice biscuits or create a to 4.30pm. short play before often coming back to show the We offer homemade cakes, sausage rolls, scones, congregation what they have achieved. tea, coffee, hot chocolate (with cream and Frequently they get up on the stage and take part marshmallows) and squash. in services. Colouring and a craft activity are available for children, as well as table tennis in the church. There is no charge but donations are welcome, Holiday Club with any money made going to various charities. During the summer school holidays SBC organises Why not 'pop in'? We would love to see you. a holiday club in August full of fun activities ending up with a family BBQ. You will be able to get more information on the website nearer the Child Friendly Service time. Young people are always an important part of our www.stalhambaptist.org.uk Sunday service pictured above three of our regulars colouring during the services. There is

Community Scene Easter 2017 7 www.communityscene.org.uk

ituated just 4 miles to the storm. Eccles, by 1605, strange two metre square from Stalham Eccles only consisted of 14 stone built enclosure was a rich and households and 300 acres of incorporated into the prosperous medieval land. By 1643 only a100 acres surrounding church wall, seen Stown. By the early 1400’s it of the village survived. in the painting below by the was a noted village The church tower remained late Ronnie Pestell of a boasting a Lord of the Manor upright, into the 1890’s, firstly recorded scour in the 1880’s. enjoying the wealth from land buried amongst the sand and sea a church St Mary’s, dunes; eventually as the sea With the completion of the cobbled streets, wells and eroded the sand hills it was stone reefs off shore it is timber framed houses. left standing guard on the unlikely that the remains of exposed beach. Eccles will be seen again but The villages prosperity came its story is reminder of the from quality farm lands and Another storm in 1895 reduced destructive power of our North rich fishing in the North Sea. the last remnant of St Mary’s Sea neighbour. But it was Eccles restless of Eccles to a pile of rubble, neighbour, the provider of which could still be found in much of its income that was to 1989. destroy it. Excavations of the site have On the night of January 4th shown that a roadway went 1601, a fierce North Sea Surge all the way round the church, whipped up mountainous and so far has uncovered nine waves that overwhelmed the wells. These are extremely town, destroying houses with important, archeologically. As their occupants in them and in Medieval times once they leaving the church in ruins. ceased to be of any use they became the community's The village wells In 1605 the remaining villagers dustbin. So far pottery, animal applied for a reduction in their bone leather shoes, wooden taxes, stating the village had objects and scraps of clothing lost 66 houses and a 1000 have been found. St. Mary’s in rubble acres (4sq. Kilometres) of land Occasionally the tides take all the sand from the beach, due to and is known as a scour, leaving only the clays that the village would have stood on. In 1991 a scour uncovered the graves in the church yard; the skeletons of the villages former inhabitants St Mary’s in Rubble were exposed. The scour also revealed roads, wells and a

Eccles 1601 St Mary’s Tower 1890s

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n all the years we have been in Stalham Easter Day for many a year but are more than

Easter day has always been looked that because they highlight two things that forward to. are very important to me, faith and family.

IFirst the anticipation of being at How Hill for Family: because it has meant visits from my the Sunrise service [almost sister and it’s good to spend dark if it’s the day the clocks time with those you love doing change] Like most families, when our fun things, but then to me family is also about our wider Often the sun has come up boys were young, we church family and Easter is an and we have heard the would decorate and roll opportunity to celebrate woodpecker, it’s a special together. time and very chaotic, eggs and of course there was especially the years family the compulsory hiding of Such celebrations are centred have stayed, getting 8 to 9 small chocolate eggs around round faith. folks out the house by I have no doubt Jesus is alive 6.00am can be challenging. the house. and garden. today, both the Bible, but also other writings of the first Then it's back to the Stables century tell us He was a real for "a large cooked breakfast" a definite treat! historic figure who was put to death by crucifixion, but what happened next? Our morning service usually finds a full church and can be one of the liveliest of the All sorts of theories have been made about year and many years we have been able to His death being a hoax or His body being include a baptism which is always a special stolen but a careful weighing of all the moment. evidence leads one to believe that the most logical explanation is on that Sunday morning Like most families, when our boys were Jesus was no longer in the tomb because He young, we would decorate and roll eggs and had risen from the dead. of course there was the compulsory hiding of small chocolate eggs around the house and Then, I know Jesus is alive because in the garden. words of an old song "He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way" and Such things have formed the structure of my that has been my experience.

Jesus has been there in the midst of all my joys and sorrows.

The song goes on "He lives salvation to impart"

Jesus offers His life to all who will receive it, a life freed from guilt and shame and meaninglessness instead one filled with peace, hope and His love and therefore having a purpose that goes beyond our three score and ten.

The Skivington's pictured left to right grandson Cameron, wife Jane grandson Isaac son Peter Skivington and his wife Jen, Ron, Bee and her husband David Skivington.

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At the start of the current teams at under 10 level. football season Stalham Town Very much a local man Thomas married Sarah in goalkeeper Thomas Nicholls had 2005 went to Stalham High School and has clocked up a remarkable 846 worked for Nicholson’s in Sutton since 1993. games for the club. At 41 Thomas says “I always wanted to be a Thomas can look back on an professional footballer but when the trials with incredible 27 years playing for professional clubs came to nothing I decided to be his beloved Stalham Town FC. involved with local people and the community around me.” He went on “I had offers from other He made his debut for the club clubs but Stalham has always been the place for age 14 in a friendly at Potter me.” Heigham before establishing himself in the B team playing in Stalham Town FC are based at Rivers Park (where the very physical Yarmouth the car boot sale is held) They are one of only six League in 1991. At that time the clubs in Norfolk that own their own ground. They club had four adult teams with over a 100 mostly need more help on match days and in the running local players signed. Thomas quickly impressed of the club if you are interested contact Thomas the club managers and made his first team debut at [email protected] against local rivals in 1993. By the following season Thomas was a permanent Stalham Youth Football Club fixture in the first team winning a Norfolk Jnr Cup Stalham Youth Football Club are winners medal at City's Carrow Road providing football opportunities for young people keeping a clean sheet in a 2 -0 defeat of Anglian in Stalham and surrounding areas from age 4 Windows, that season 1993/94 he also picked up years upwards. From the highly popular mini an Anglian Combination League Cup winners kickers programme through to U16 level, the club medal at Lowestoft Towns ground against has over 150 children registered and the figure Poringland. continues to grow!

Last season saw the club promoted back into the Anglian Combination Premier League 15 years after relegation Thomas says “I am very proud of the players and manger John Bell we are regularly competing against players earning £100 plus per game our lads still pay £3 a week to play.”

Thomas is the Club Secretary and is also heavily involved with Stalham Youth FC and his sons Oliver and Luke are part of Norwich City’s youth development system and Luke has played a number of games against other professional All the clubs coaches have completed enhanced CRB checks and all hold a minimum of a FA Level 1 qualification. The club currently has 6 FA Level 2 coaches, along with coaches furthering their coaching knowledge by completing youth modules 1,2 & 3.

We are proud to say we are one of the highest qualified clubs in Norfolk!

The club continues to help the community by raising funds for local charities, with the clubs 'Community Funday' becoming more and more popular each year! You can find out more information about the club by following them on Twitter at @stalhamyouthfc or you can find the clubs group on Facebook.

Community Scene Easter 2017 10 www.communityscene.org.uk

Gifts Scene Your Old Tools Can Change Lives

TWAM Changing Lives with your old tools

Your old tools, haberdashery, sewing machines and the provision of tool kits and equipment. and knitting machines can change the lives of Their believe is that God's heart reaches out to the people in Africa. TWAM's mission is to collect poor and that he calls us to follow His example unwanted tools, refurbish through the provision of tools them, sort them into trade kits and equipment. and send them across the world. They send around The gift of a tool kit is the gift 20 containers filled with over that will last a generation. 300 tonnes of tools every year. Each tool kit will provide a family with a means to earn a They want to support local living. It will also allow their people supporting their own children to go to school, communities through therefore changing the futures livelihood creating projects. of the next generation. They believe there is dignity through work and the ability to provide for So How Can You Help yourself and your family. TWAM believe entire If you have some old tools or a sewing or knitting communities can be transformed through training machine you can take them along to A.J. Meales & Sons Wayford Nurseries, Stalham, Norwich NR12 9LJ. David Meale Director of the company and a member of Stalham Baptist Church has been collecting tools for TWAM since 1978 when the mission began. So your old hand tools, garden tools etc. that haven’t seen the light of day for years can change lives.

If you needs some more information contact David or Gillian Meale on 01692-536443.

No Such Thing as a Free Lunch We have all said it when confronted with Everyone is entitled to “salvation” this gift was something that seems too good to be true, there’s paid for by Jesus on the cross by his agonising no such thing as a free lunch. The saying started death. in the USA when free lunches were offered, not to the poor and hungry as handouts but by bar keepers to attracted drinkers into their saloons. Free Gift Voucher Dear Lord Jesus, I know that Food was given free to anyone buying a drink. Some saloon owners were prosecuted because I am a sinner, and I ask for unless you paid money to the saloon there was Your forgiveness. I believe no free lunch. The approach was absorbed into business thinking You died for my sins and rose and called TANSTAAFL don’t we all love jargon! from the dead. I turn from In truth though there is the ultimate free lunch to my sins and invite You to come be had. Salvation! It comes from asking Jesus into your life, it costs absolutely nothing in material into my heart and life. I want terms just love and a little bit of time. to trust and follow You as my Please use the voucher to get your “Free Lunch.” It’s not a one off voucher you can pass it on to as Lord and Saviour. Amen many people as you like.

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Blooming Stalham Flicka Henwood’s 12 years as Chairperson of Stalham in Bloom was celebrated at Stalham Staithe with the unveiling of the good ship Fair Flicka by Rev. Richard Jackson at Stalham Staithe.

Up to 2015 Flicka could be found watering the baskets outside the Break Shop in the early morning.

Stalham in Bloom has been sustained by a hard working group for many years and was successful in winning an Anglia in Bloom Bronze Medal some years back.

If you are a keen gardener Stalham in Bloom could do with your green fingered expertise to keep the project going. Give Flicka a call on 01692-584298 You can get more details of the SBC teams season Sporting Honour on our website www. comunityscene.org.uk. Stalham Baptist Church F.C. are having one of their best seasons for many years , a big turnaround on Heard It On The Grapevine last season when they only won one game. With a Twelve years ago John Stares of JS Builders new management team and a bigger squad the planted a vineyard on a field next to his renovated East Ruston farm house. “I needed a hobby” John said. He waited four years for his first crop. “The first 200 bottles weren't at their best” he smiled.

The vineyard is listed but the wine is for personal consumption and is given to friends like Kyle and Jemma pictured below who help harvest the grapes. The wine a dry white is a blend of three grapes and is unique to Johns vineyard. Last years harvest resulted in the production of 600 bottles and was very good, he explained that the vines take 10 years to mature and after that the wine will just get better and better.

Having sampled Johns excellent wine from last year I can’t wait for the 2017 vintage!

team have had a number of good wins against strong opposition.

In October another honour came their way when they were presented with the League Fellowship Trophy by League Vice Chairman, Jim Green. They won the award by being voted as the most sporting team in the league by the other clubs.

Jim said: “This is a fully deserved accolade, Stalham are always a joy to play against and splendidly carry the ethos of the League and their church.”

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There is always something going on at Stalham Baptist Church other than the Sunday service. Either in the Stable, the Church or the School Room.

Coffee and Chat This informal service is provided in The Stables from 09:30 to 11:30 each Tuesday. Drop in at any point during the morning for tea or coffee and a biscuit. (There is no charge; a donation box is available if you wish.) A selection of scones or teacakes are available at a small cost, and the gift/bric-a-brac table might just supply a need! Look out also for the "goods" table! Most things are donated and the takings go to a named charity. C&C is a popular meeting place for church and local community folk alike. Do call in, a warm welcome is always on hand.

Lunch Club Every 2nd and 4th Thursday in the month you can come and enjoy a meal at the Lunch Club held in the Stables at Stalham Baptist Church starting at 12.30pm. Always a really good main meal a pudding and of course plenty of tea and Over 60s Table Tennis If you are looking for a fun coffee. All for £3.50. “It’s a great way to get a bit of morning with a little bit of Scattered throughout the year are exercise come and have a look at social events. You can get more exercise and have a lot of fun” John told me. “And don’t forget the over 60s table tennis every information from Dorothy on Wednesday in the School Rooms 01692-583373. the tea, coffee and chocolate biscuits” Alex chirped in. 9.30am – 12 noon. There is no annual subscription just a £2 donation when you attend. The club started in 2008 and has been so successful that they are thinking of setting up an evening session for all ages. For more information give Alex a call on 07763116911.

Open For Prayer Stalham Baptist Church is open every Monday morning for prayer 10am to 11.30am. Everyone is welcome to spend some time in the peace of the Church for their own prayers.

Community Scene Easter 2017 13 www.communityscene.org.uk

Easter Word Search. N C Y E R G C Y T A H V Z C K W W U G C O A G H Z E R O M A N S E N O D J B E R X G I O D L S X Y D X Q E A E K J E S U S Q T L I R R U D A C D L M S A O P X C K P I L S T S U R Z D Z A W M T O M M I C D Y N V V I U A R N I I J O V E S E F N N Z J K N L B S R E P R D S C Z R L I W R E J I T X P R E A C S F C B L L A X R E P P U S T S A L J B T R D G G D S I G G B N A L D J M H L M C I D O Y N U O R P O N T I U S P I L A T E O R O J R N E U D Q B X U I L P P R N C A N M G E Z T F N Z A N Q X F P N Y H V R W C A J L E X C R D S R J M N X I L I C J D M E S P U H A E C P K K U C A G S E X Y E A N X I Y J L A M H N K C J W L C M R D W X Y U H O N P D J S H Y M K A D W U T U R E B K M E A R E S S O R C N S J S W E L T I K B U N N Y I W F L I D N I X P Z J W Q J E W S F M U W D R K T V C T V E J

BUNNY. CALVARY. CHICKS. CROSS. CRUCIFIXION. EASTER. EGGS. GOODFRIDAY. ISLAND. JERUSALEM. JESUS. JUDAS. LASTSUPPER. MARY. NAILS. PALMSUNDAY. PETER. PONTIUSPILATE. RESURRECTION. ROMANS. Its an Illusion Saxophonist

or Lady's Face?

Local Towns and Villages Crossword.

Across 3. Castle that made me smile 5. Heavy crossing 6. Not to the front 7. Could be in need of stitching 10. Not a south facing barrier 12. Not more 13. Some old meat.

Riddle If you have me, you Down want to share me. If 1. Sounds of herbs you share me, you 2. Not a drum in stead haven't got me. What 4. Could be followed by cup am I? 8. Was it an exchange and.. 9. In hast to the sun rise 11. Famous woolly cloth Answers in next issue or can be found at www.communityscene.org.uk Community Scene Easter 2017 14 www.communityscene.org.uk

y name is Jeremiah Simone has been working in kept in touch with Rev. Ron and Otieno Oluoch Kenya for four years now as a his family even after returning to (Kenyan) and I’m Kenya. married to Simone MOtieno (German) and we have At the age of 13 years Three years ago, I returned to the one daughter called Elsa Helena old, I lost my dad after U.K. to train for Pastoral ministry Otieno who will be one year old at London Theological Seminary. on the 2nd May 2017. One day a long illness. I During my time of training, I had after we start work at Stalham struggled to deal with the privilege of spending 7 weeks Baptist Church. Simone comes doing a summer placement at from Southern Germany where the pain of grief which SBC and I really enjoyed the the Forests are black (Black developed into anger, warmth and kindness of the Forest), while I come from part church and the community at of the world where we have bitterness large. plenty of sunshine and therefore and hatred most people are black! (Kenya). When Simone visited the church, Elsa belongs to both worlds. towards God 9 months later, she also loved the people, and that’s why we I am the third born in the family development worker running a were overly excited when the of six siblings (4 boy, 2 girls) and project that works with girls in leadership ask me whether I was born in a slum in Nairobi one of the largest slums in Africa could be interested in the post of where I lived most of my early called Kibera in Nairobi. We met the Pastoral Assistant. Simone, years. At the age of 13 years old, in Nairobi, after a mutual friend Elsa and I are delighted and are I lost my dad after a long illness. introduced us to each other. looking forward to being part of the church community at SBC.

We are excited about what God is going to do in and through us, as I’ll be serving alongside Rev. Ron Skivington as a Pastoral Assistant and Outreach Worker.

Jerry and Simone in the Our vision is to help build a Nairobi National Park in diverse Church with Jesus at the January Elsa gives centre and united by the everyone a big wave. common desire to make Him known and experienced him through the work of the Holy Spirit.

I struggled to deal with the pain I got to know about SBC more of grief which developed into than 5 years ago, during my two anger, bitterness and hatred years service in Liverpool and towards God. One year later by Birmingham as an international God’s grace, I came to a living volunteer with a mission agency faith in Christ when I heard the called Careforce. By that time, gospel being preached clearly in my fellow volunteer and friend The family a church service. The Lord helped Sammie Chad was ending his Celebrating me to cope with grief in such a time at SBC and so he invited Christmas in way that it made it much easier me over for his farewell service. I Nairobi. dealing with grief when my really enjoyed my time in mother died one year later. Stalham and since then, I have

Community Scene Easter 2017 15 www.communityscene.org.uk Cartoon by Steve English