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Purpose Fulfilled: Foodbank

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Purpose Fulfilled: Bognor Foodbank returns to Argyle Hall

The pictures below show a before and a, now empty, after in BMRC hall. In June, Bognor Foodbank moved back to their centre on Argyle Road and so what has been a bustling, bag filled hall now looks very empty.

After a time of generous hospitality to Bognor Foodbank (which has ended up for much longer that any of us imagined) BRMC declare purpose fulfilled, celebrating all that has been achieved, fruitful and completed.  

“The hospitality the people of BRMC have offered to Bognor Foodbank is evidence of their commitment to living faithfully as Christian people, a faith which challenges us to live lives of ever increasing love for our fellow human beings. Jesus calls us to live in community with one another and work with others to share God’s love, which includes care for the marginalised and those in need.

Through our partnering with Bognor Foodbank and the many agencies they work with, we have played a small part in demonstrating that Christians care about our community and the lives of those who live in it.”

Rev Dan Balsdon, minister at BRMC

Bognor Foodbank have written to BRMC to express thanks to all at BRMC. Read the full letter by clicking this link : Thank you BRMC. 

“Having the Church Hall space has been an incredible blessing, and has ensured the continued distribution of food parcels to so many people in our community who have been in crisis during the pandemic. Thank you for responding so immediately and continually to the need. We are so grateful for offering the space, and how flexible you continued to be as we all navigated the various twists, turns and delays experienced as the government have looked to ease or amend restrictions.”

Hannah, Bognor Foodbank Project Manager 

While operating from the hall at BRMC, Bognor Foodbank have distributed food to 4976 people in our community, including 1803 children under 16. We continue to encourage all in church and community to support the work of Bognor Foodbank who seek to both offer emergency food parcels and support people out of crisis, and as part of the Trussell Trust network lobby local and national government on issues of poverty and injustice in our society. 

Find out more and support the ongoing work of Bognor Foodbank:
Bognor Regis Foodbank | Helping Local People in Crisis
The Trussell Trust – Stop UK Hunger
 

Ministers Message – March 2021

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Ministers Message – March 2021

Faithful in the wilderness…

Over the last 12 months God has given me much strength and comfort through reading scripture. The stories scripture retells often explore human experience of God in light of crisis or uncertainty. From the panic of the Israelites as Goliath stood before them, to the crisis Ruth and Naomi faced through grief and famine – scriptures story proclaims the truth of a faithful God in all seasons of life.

One of the stories I’ve read and found most fruitful spiritually is the story of the Israelites after escaping Egypt, passing through the red sea, and then spending 40 years in the desert (Read all of Exodus!) Every aspect of the communal life together was changed as a result of their Exodus and passing through the waters.

Despite the struggle this community that God calls ‘mine’ faced, despite their sometimes complaining, despite their taking matters into their own hands and making a golden calf, God was faithful and continued to be faithful to them:

“‘I am the Lord, and I will free you from the burdens of the Egyptians and deliver you from slavery to them. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.” Exodus 6:7, NRSV

2021 began with as much uncertainty as 2020 ended with. As I write (on 16th Feb) we know little of what the next few weeks, let alone months will look like. By the time you read this, perhaps next week’s long awaited ‘road map’ will begin to give us some idea, at least, at the sort of terrain we will be travelling on.

But no matter what comes, there is one truth we can depend upon – that out changeless God is as faithful to us now has he has always been – and despite our uncertainty and worries about the future, God will continue to be faithful to us.

As always, while restrictions distance us, you are regularly n my thoughts and prayers. If you find yourself in need of a conversation about life, faith, uncertainties we face, or would like me to pray for you, or even with you over the phone, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

In Peace and Hope for the weeks ahead, Dan