A privilege to be part of God’s work
Our outgoing Chair, Mike Kirtley, writes: While leafing through old meeting notes I was reminded I had been involved with Engage almost from its inception in 1995, including nearly 20 years as Chair of Trustees.
Looking in the mirror I realised I have changed a little over that time!
After talking to God and my wife, Ruth, I decided it was time to step aside so someone else could bring fresh blood and ideas to the role of Chair.
Looking back, it has been a privilege to be part of what God is doing in Woking within the schools through this great organisation, supported by the churches. The work has grown from a small team taking drama assemblies into primary schools (still very much part of our raison d’être) into a Christian charity serving God and offering schools a range of activities through our staff team and dozens of volunteers. Thousands of children and young people have heard the gospel and the messages and stories of the Bible.
Many children have found fresh hope and meaning in life through our mentoring and other programmes.
Nothing gives me greater pleasure than to see Christians across the denominations working effectively together. It has been a joy over these years to work in this cross-church context alongside so many gifted and passionate schools workers, Trustees and volunteers.
I want to pay tribute to Peter Howitt, our founding Chair of Trustees, who sadly died in June. He was the driving pioneer force behind Woking SCAt (as it then was) back in the 1990s. He was God’s servant in God’s time and we owe him a great debt of gratitude.
Carolyn Dickins, previously our Co-ordinator, is now acting Chair of Trustees and we are actively looking for a permanent Chair: please keep praying for the right person!
On a personal note, Carolyn and I have worked closely together these past 20 years and more, and both I and Engage owe much to her unfailing wisdom, passion, grac- iousness and conscientious hard work.
News from the Interim Chair of Trustees
Carolyn Dickins, Interim Chair of Engage, reports: It has been six months since I took on the role of Interim Chair of Engage, and I am wondering where that time has gone to!
We have had a busy two terms including taking a wonderful Easter assembly drama into many local primary schools.
Bronwen, our Schools Worker, not only appeared in the drama but also ran and helped to run after-school clubs, as well as joining Shelley, our Director of Schools Work, to deliver It’s Your Move sessions for Year 6 students moving up to Secondary Schools next term.
Our Mentoring Lead, Bisi, has continued to run much-needed mentoring sessions at Woking High, where Shelley, joined by local church youth workers, has run a very successful Christian Union club.
A real highlight for Engage was our first Encounter evening event of worship, prayer and social time, which we ran in March in conjunction with local churches. Aimed at young people of Secondary School age and held at Woking URC, Encounter was well received and enjoyed by over 60 young people. On the back of this, a further Encounter event is planned for 28th September, this time at St. Andrew’s
We’ve had some changes to our board of Trustees. We said farewell to Revd Mark Wallace as our clergy Trustee, then welcomed Revd Jonathan Thomas, who is serving as a Trustee for the second time. We also said a very fond farewell to Vicky Henry who has worked tirelessly as a Trustee for 20 years, then welcomed Paul Kingston and Jo Birkby as new Trustees.
Other farewells include Pat Hewatt who has been a much-valued member of our Assembly team, playing many roles over the years: she will be greatly missed! The team always welcomes new members: perhaps you would like to follow in Pat’s footsteps?
Helen Best, our wonderful Administrator, leaves in July but she has generously offered to continue with some voluntary projects, including a handover to her successor Liz who joins in September.
Shelley received wonderful news: after two years going through the process of applying for training for ordination (Priesthood), she has been accepted! The great news for Engage is that Shelley has decided to undertake her training on a part-time basis over three years, so is able to stay on in her role at Engage, albeit cutting back her hours.
Despite a busy six months we will all be “ready to roll” again in September for the new academic year. Thank you for your financial and prayer support: we would not be able to do this important work without you.
Prayer Prompts
Please pray:
That staff and volunteers will enjoy rest over the summer.
For our new team member starting in September.
For our Trustees as they seek the Lord’s leading about the future leadership and development of Engage.
For Shelley as she embarks on her ministerial training, and give thanks for her years of service to Engage.
For the provision of sufficient finances and volunteers to continue and grow our activities.
For our visits to churches, so we will build stronger relationships and be blessed with greater support.
Please give thanks for:
It’s Your Move sessions for year 6 pupils.
School Assemblies.
Bisley and Holy Trinity Clubs.
Primary School Prayer Clubs.
The inaugural Encounter event.
School Christian Unions.
.
.
Please join us at our next prayer meeting, at 10.30am on 17 October in the Chapel at St Andrew’s.
