2024: Another busy year for Engage
Whatever happened to 2024? writes Carolyn Dickins.
It’s almost a year since I took over as Interim Chair of Trustees, after Mike Kirtley retired after 20 years as Chair.
This year has been as busy as ever for Engage, with all our usual activities and work in schools and college.
As I look back, a real highlight for me was the launch of our Encounter youth event in March.
Encounter is an evening that provides a time of social activity and worship for young people of Woking. The first event was a great success and was repeated by a second Encounter event at St. Andrew’s church in September. Plans are now in hand for 2025.
On the personnel side it’s been busy too. Shelley was accepted for ministry training which she started in September. She is continuing to work for Engage as Director of Schools Work.
We said grateful thanks to Vicky Henry when she stepped down in July after almost two decades as a Trustee.
We gave thanks to Helen Best, who left her role as Administrator, but are delighted she is cont- inuing in many of her projects and roles, now as a volunteer. We welcomed Liz Edwards as our new Administrator in September (meet her on page 3).
Lizzie Funnell recently stood down from her role as Trustee due to pressure of work and we are grateful to her for the time she spent with us.
We were all saddened this summer by the news of the death of Peter Howitt, who was our “Founding Father”. We will be forever grateful for Peter’s work in setting up Engage (which was originally known as SCAt) some 30 years ago, when he became the first Chair of Trustees. Our gratitude extends also to the wonderful involvement, support and encouragement he has given us ever since. He will be much missed at our Engage events.
As I step down from my role as Interim Chair and Trustee (but still continuing to serve on the Operations Committee) I could not be more thrilled to be handing over to Jon Hills, CEO of TAMAT (The Alliance Multi-Academy Trust, comprising five schools in the Surrey Heath area) as he takes on the role of Chair of Trustees. Jon will introduce himself in the next issue of ENGAGEment.
I know that Engage could not be in better hands.
Carolyn
Please donate £10 a month and be 1 of 100
We share the Christian message in many ways to young people from reception age in primary schools to those at college. We see first-hand the impact this has in helping them understand things in the light of God’s word: what is happening in their personal lives at school as well what is happening in the world.
For example, a six year old recently shared in a prayer space his concerns about conflict in the world; through a prayer activity he was able to release his feelings and hand them over to God. It is a privilege to be able to support our local students in this way.
We need your help please for this work to continue. We have launched our first-ever regular donation appeal: we aim to get 100 people to pledge £10 each month for one year (or more over a longer period if you are able) to help us maintain and continue our services in sharing God’s love and giving hope to many.
If you can give £10 a month or any amount monthly, large or small, you will be making a huge difference to the future of many young people.
Will you be 1 of 100?
You can sign up via our website www.engagewoking.org where you will find a Gift Aid and standing order form. Or you can donate via bank transfer using these details:
Account Name: Engage Woking Schools Sort code: 40-52-40 Account number: 00024842
Reference: Engage 1 in 100.
If you have any questions, please contact Shelley via email: office@engagewoking.org
Thank you for being a GREAT part of Gods mission!
Meet Liz, our new administrator
Liz Edwards joined Engage as administrator in September, taking over from Helen Best who continues to help us as a volunteer.
Liz said: “Working at Engage is a real answer to prayer and an exciting opportunity for me, as I have been out of paid employment for some time while my children were in primary school.
“I’ve always been a volunteer in children’s work in churches and I helped at my children’s school every week, which has given me a perspective on local schools and the challenges faced by young people today.
“Engage is the perfect place for me as I’m passionate about the well-being of children. It’s a great privilege to be supporting the Engage team as they help those young people they work with to grow in faith.
“I’ve worshipped at Christ Church Woking since January 2023. I enjoy meeting with my life group and recently had a brilliant time as a team member at the Codebreakers Holiday Club. I also study the Old Testament weekly with a group of people from all different churches.
“I look forward to seeing what God has next for Engage.”
Prayer Prompts
Please give thanks:
That staff and volunteers will enjoy rest over the summer.
For the hard work of our Trustees, and for the appointment of our new chairperson, Jon Hills.
For our volunteers, who make such a difference in so many lives.
For our wonderful assembly team, which performed 16 harvest assembles, with more at Christmas.
Please pray:
For more supporters so we can reach more young people.
Health for our volunteers in a busy season.
