Day 4: An incident at Cluny Square

Thursday was clean up day for the Cluny Team. We went to St Lukes Community Centre and helped do some gardening and cleaning windows there and we also cleared an alley behind the row of shops on Cluny Square and also went into a couple of residents houses to do a couple of jobs which they requested. Below is a story of what happened with a couple of the local lads:

"In order to save time, we had split into two teams to start at 2 different ends of the alley and then we would meet in the middle. Now some of the boys (a PCSO later told me they were very well known to them and always caused trouble) who caused trouble yesterday came along and started egging the group of us at the other end to me. They then came down to me and i thought they were going to throw eggs at me. They stopped and asked me what i was doing so i explained i was clearing up the rubbish to make the alley look nice. They turned round and said why? So i replied `I am doing it as a favour to the community as an example of love.' One of the boys then turned round and said to me `I will show you a example of man love if you come back to my house' to which i laughed and said it is not quite the same thing, I explained we were talking about God's love. He said `well thats odd isnt it?' To which I said `Yes and what's odder is we all paid £20 to do this'. This really threw them and the conversation carried on as to why we would pay to pick up rubbish. We talked about the fun day etc. Anyway the boys went off and didn't egg us anymore which i thought was very cool. About half hour later they came back and actually started to help us. It was only for about 15 minutes but they were picking up litter etc. which just blew me away. It just goes to show what can happen if you challenge people's mindsets."

The PCSOs spoke to me today and they said how very impressed with the job we had done behind the flats and how clear the alley looked. Also local cmmunity leaders such as John Barber also commented on how great the job was. Finally check out www.ferndale.org.uk/news to find out more reaction from the Reverend Steven Dray.

Day 3: Wednesday: Kids clubs galore

Its wednesday and we are now three quarters through the week. Today was the last day at Cluny Square and although we had trouble with our water initially it all went off well and the children enjoyed it. Also we had a holiday club at both Southchurch Park URC and Belle Vue Baptist and both of them went really well as well. It was a great day had by all.

There must be more stories and picturs to tell and show. Email us your photos and videos to the address above. Post those stories on the comments below. Go on you know you want to!

First photo submitted: James in Bev's Sunglasses!

So what do you think? Have you got any more worthy snaps? Then send them in, I am sure there are more out there. Add your comments on this post below.

Day 2: Pig pens, Dr Who and fun days

Today was Tuesday and we all met for worship. Jezza was telling us how fantastic we all are and reminding us about Dr Who as well!?

We then put on an indoor fun day which went very very well at Belle Vue Baptist Church, on Southchurch Road. One of the guys said that he couldn't see how we could have improved on it at all, and that it was spot on. He has organised lots of Christian events so well done to the guys who organised this event!

Members of the public were asking for free hugs today as well which was cool (and surprising!). Over at Christchurch in Southchurch we ran a Holiday Club and that went really well. The Rev. Martin Harris came along to lend his creative skills. Dino led a posse down to Hamstel as well and they created a lovely pig pen (they claim it is a compost heap but we have our doubts!).

What do you think it was? And how did you think the day went? Are you any wiser on the whole Dr Who thing? Add your commenst below.

Day 1: The delegates go down to the park

Monday 2nd April was the start of the week proper. We started in the morning with a talk from Mark Churchward of SCF reminding us how we are all chosen by God. The t-shirts have been customised as always (with rips, felts and sparkles) and some people took last night's sermon to the extreme!

We had a fun day at Southchurch Park today which was great. All the old fave's were there as well as some new ones. There was a bible verse trail, the police came down and gave demonstrations and we also had some performers come and teach some children their skills. There were about 300 people who came through the gates and all of them had a brilliant time helped by good weather.

We also ran a kids club at Belle Vue Baptist.

Got any comments on the day? Were you a punter at any of the events? Or were you helping? Add your stories to the 'comments' section of this post.

No April fools: A view of the opening night, 1st April 2007

The opening night of extreme:United launched the week in a great way. We had a great time at Christchurch in Southchurch worshipping God and barracking Dino!! Tim told us all about the free hug society in Sheffield who wait around outside a shopping centre Saturday giving out free hugs. He told us that this week we are giving out free hugs to Southend.

Are you on extreme:United this week, why not give us your reports and comments on what you have been up to. Or if you are a supporter leave words of encouragment or written prayers of support by clicking on the comments section of each post to add your thoughts.

ROSALIND BUTTERWORTH of Christ Church, writes:

This Easter, Love Southend Youth is organising it's fourth outreach event and you are warmly invited to get involved. Entitled 'Extreme:United', this year's first event will include kids
clubs, fun days and of course, work parties. Each morning will kick off with giving glory to God and hearing what he has to say to us.

 

Each afternoon from 1 til 5 the teams will be setting up for and then running whatever job theirs is; be it football, litter picking, or even just praying with non-Christians. Then, after a dinner kindly provided by a local church, the delegates will get to hang out til about 9.30,
relaxing at churches running cafes, showing films or simply getting out the pool tables. YOU are offered the chance to join in on the blessing. The event will last for four days next week, and will have a launch night at Christchurch this Sunday evening (that's tomorrow!) from 6.30 til 8.

 

Even if you have just one afternoon free then you will be enthusiastically welcomed onto a team. If you are praying for the event, a team or an individual, then you are invited to come and join the delegates tomorrow night, at the morning worship sessions at Southchurch Park URC from 10am or even at the evening chill out sessions. Please note that you cannot be too wise, too childlike, too holy, too busy or too important to get involved - anyone from 11 to 111 is encouraged to be a part of God's anointing on Southend! If you would like more information or forms for Extreme:United then please contact Jacky Rossi at rossis4@hotmail.com, or just simply turn up tomorrow.