ECFC blog – a multi-voiced blog about what’s happening at ECFC, today from Operations Manager, Patrick Wickson.
Integration
How do we integrate our lives with Jesus’ way? How do we integrate within the communities we belong to so that we can serve effectively? How can we enable ourselves and others in this?
At the bottom of this blog you will find the text from an article written about ECFC in the summer edition of The Bristol Cable, Bristol’s independent newspaper. It describes a rich living history at ECFC. Each one of us contributes by being ourselves and joining in. We are developing this together as we seek to bring Jesus’ Kingdom in this place. Exhibiting ECFC values of Welcome, Connection, Justice and Being ourselves and joining in.
The article in The Bristol Cable may help us see ourselves at ECFC more clearly…in fact, what I think we see coming through is our positive contribution to integration (as we are probably aware of winds of fear and fluttering flags of nationalism around).
There is a lot going on in our building during the week. We may miss it if we only come on Sundays. Below I share some of what I know about what’s been happening this summer. Maybe you know other ECFC stories that could be shared, my email is operationsmanager@ecfc.org.uk or find me in the office Monday and Wednesday (mornings), Thursdays and Fridays.
I hope that sharing some bits of this adventure we are on will inform and inspire integration across all that is ECFC. Focusing on our shared faith and our love for God and each other. Maybe it will pique an interest to get involved with something new and exciting. As when I started in this role as Operations Manager at ECFC a year ago.
What has been happening here during the week during this summer?
Holiday time tends to be quieter at ECFC. The builders took advantage of the quieter time this summer and have done a fantastic job. You’ll have noticed the new windows and doors around the whole building. There was also new insulation pumped in the cavity walls and the external timber at the roofline has been replaced. It improves the aesthetics and will help the thermal comfort of our building and is another step towards becoming a net zero building. This was fruit of many people’s hard work fundraising over the past few years. We give thanks for this as well as the builders’ nice presence and good work over the summer.
And also for the new Kids Club offering performing arts and gym activities, something desperately needed in this area – it ran for less than a week but was successful and hopefully will return. Bristol Hospitality Network continued to run their Monday drop-ins over the holiday and it was more busy that ever with 150+ asylum seekers regularly attending as other services were less available.
As the builders pack up, normal activities begin returning to ECFC. The vital Baraka vibe is returning. Café staff are back this week their energy and humor and the great food they serve up. Baraka brings so much life to the building. It is open Tuesday-Friday 0900-1500, during term-time, if you have not been do come and sample what is on offer.
A verse
I’m wondering if others would be willing to share a favorite verse (or maybe a piece of art or podcast) with a short explanation or story about why it is important to ECFC. Here is a verse which has been important to me on the theme of rebuilding and restoration. It inspires me as we try to improve the environment in our building. The background is that I visited a Scottish Monastery built by the Monks who chose the following verse, from Hagai 2:9 as their motto for this special place:
“This Temple is going to end up far better than it started out, a glorious beginning but an even more glorious finish: a place in which I will hand out wholeness and holiness. Decree of God-of-the-Angel Armies.” (MSG)