Hello All,
It’s summer - Woohoo!
Thank you for your encouraging responses to my last newsletter. There have been many developments and answers to prayer for our Bromley Hub since the first edition was sent out, some of which I would love to share with you in this update. In fact, every time I start to write this newsletter, I keep thinking of other things to tell you about!
Firstly, we are thrilled to welcome Helen Peevor to our Bromley Hub Team. Helen works as a supply teacher and is now volunteering with Spinnaker to lead Collective Worship fortnightly at Elmstead Wood Primary, a new school for Spinnaker. They have made us very welcome and the children are super attentive and keen to take part in our worship. The staff are also incredibly grateful for our support.
We are also delighted to have recently been invited to Hayes Primary School. This is 3 form entry and so quite a large school. So large in fact, that they have separate assemblies for Key Stage 1 & 2 (Infants and Juniors). The exciting thing is that we are working with St Mary’s Church, Hayes, and the lovely Rev. Amanda, who is keen to partner with us in September to train up a team of people from her church – isn’t that great?!
Caroline Allen, Jessica-Ann Jenner, Glenis Ruston, and I have continued to serve our other 10 Bromley Schools with the Spinnaker ‘It’s Jesus’ resources. Our records show that for the Spring Term we led 37 Assemblies and 2 Easter Lessons. We also ran a workshop a couple of weeks ago at Trinity CofE Primary School for their Trinity Day Celebrations and we will be at the Bromley Schools Festival on 27th & 28th June at the Parish Church in Bromley working with Year 5s from schools across the borough.
The theme for the schools festival focuses on Psalm 8 ‘Caring for God’s Creation’. During our workshops, each child discovers why God created them and how much he loves them. They all get the opportunity to create their own sock puppet which will be special and unique. Each child is then encouraged to imagine how special they are to God who created them and his wonderful creation, and how they can share God’s love with others – as well as joining in with puppet worship!
Earlier in May I was thrilled to work with Martin Chapman, Director of Jesus for Europe. Some of you will know Martin from the Transform Bromley Borough Evangelism Summit held for Leaders at Green Street Green Baptist Church. Whilst working at the church, Martin was able to join me at two of our local schools, one for an assembly and one for Easter Lessons. He was astounded at the open doors we have in UK Schools in contrast to many European countries where the door is tightly closed.
He asked me to write an article for his newsletter encouraging churches to build relationships with their local primary schools and listing some of the ways in which churches can support schools. Please click on this link to see the full article.
Martin Chapman's May Newsletter
We have now set up a Spinnaker Bromley Facebook Page, specifically for Bromley Hub updates. Do please request to be a friend on this site to see all the latest news and happenings. You may even get to see some funny photos from time to time…watch this space!
And finally, we are hosting a Bromley Hub Charity QUIZ NIGHT to help raise funds for Spinnaker’s work in Bromley. We would love you to join us. Book a team in now for an evening of fun and laughter. There are even prizes for the winners! We look forward to seeing you. For full details use the link below 👇
So, as you can see, we have a busy summer term ahead. We are so grateful for all your prayers and support for our team as we work in schools. Please do not hesitate to contact me if we can link up with you or your church in any way to further support the Primary Schools in our borough.
With kind regards,
Katie Burtonshaw, Bromley Hub Leader