From Derby Church Network, Mid December 2009
by Paul Morris

We know them by their needs, what if we knew them by name?

Derby City Centre and Chaddesden churches form community partnerships as they Serve the City

On November 21st, more than 50 people took part in Serve the City in Derby, the first time it has happened in England!

Serve the City is an international movement taking place in more than 40 cities in 25 countries. It mobilises volunteers to show kindness in practical ways to people in need. The volunteers come from churches, businesses and other charitable organisations, and the practical help and support is often simple, such as in the areas of sports, music, arts and crafts, teaching English, painting, serving food and cutting hair. All who serve are matchmakers - the connection between the good intentions of people who could serve and a meaningful opportunity to do so.

On this occasion, we formed partnerships with three local organisations: Derby City Council, Groundwork Derby and Derbyshire and Adullam Homes. We spent the morning cleaning some streets in the city centre, planting woodland flowers and meadow plants at Chaddesden Park, and then we all came together for a celebration lunch where we hosted tenants from Adullam Homes, which was very special for us and them.

Amongst those involved were children and adults from St. Peter's City Centre Church and St. Mary's Chaddesden, as well as a number of our friends, and also students from the university.

During the morning we made a small difference to our environment, to the lives of those we served, and to those of us who volunteered, it was very encouraging. The feedback has been positive.

As we served, we were declaring that in God's Kingdom people with special needs get special care, those who are living in fear can re-imagine beauty and trust, God pays attention to the smallest of needs for the most forgotten of people, and people who give their entire lives to care for those in need are deeply cherished by their heavenly Father.

Serve the City began small but well, we are grateful, and now we press on with dreams and plans for the future.

If you would like to find out more about Serve the City, email Rev. Paul Morris, Vicar at St. Peter's in the City Centre, at paul@stpetersderby.org.uk

 
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