Category

Free Talk

Apr 02
0

Can We Save The Planet? Go4th Environmental Talk

By | Free Talk, March 2019, Monthly updates | No Comments

Go4th Sunday How Can We Save the Planet http://www.go4th.org.uk

After our short act of worship we gathered for a talk on the environment. You might think that this would be a depressing topic, but our speaker, while outlining the extent of the problems facing us globally, also focused on what we can do as individuals to make a difference. He took us expertly through the issue of transport, making us aware of the environmental cost of different forms of transport and how we use them, and offering us choices that will be less damaging. We also heard about the options we have when buying food, and how we can become more aware of the implications of our choices. The conversations continued long after the talk was finished!

Saving the Earth what can I do?  We are Co-creators with GOD!

PSALM 63

A psalm of David. When he was in the Desert of Judah.
1 You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land where there is no water.

2 I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.
3 Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.
4 I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.

Jan 31
1

Go 4th Talk on Homelessness by Winter Night Shelter MK

By | Free Talk, January 2019, Monthly updates | No Comments

Winter Night Shelter MK Free Talk on Homelessness 27 January 2019
http://www.go4th.org.uk

The Last the Least and the Lost

These are the people the Winter Night Shelter Milton Keynes (WNSMK) are here to help.  When Sara Millington, Communications Manager and Andrew Wasdell, Team Leader came to talk to us we learned how the WNSMK began as a response to an urgent need during the severe winter of 2010, with homeless people sleeping rough despite freezing temperatures and thick snow on the ground. Representatives of various agencies came together to address the problem, and the result was the WNSMK.

Winter Night Shelter MK Free Talk on Homelessness 27 January 2019
http://www.go4th.org.uk

Sara Millington, Communications Manager & Andrew Wasdell Team Leader WNSMK at All Saints Church, Milton Keynes Village http://www.go4th.org.uk

What is happening right now?

Currently they are able to offer a hot meal and overnight accommodation to 30 guests each night from November to March. Each guest is welcomed at Unity Park Station (formerly the Old Bus Station) on Elder Gate, with a hot drink and a safe place to store their belongings for the night, as well as the chance to shower and wash their clothes. They are then transported to their base for the night, where a team of trained volunteers provide a hot meal, company and support, opportunities to relax and play games, and a warm bed for the night. Breakfast is provided the next morning, as well as transport back to Unity Park Station.

Winter Night Shelter MK Free Talk on Homelessness 27 January 2019
http://www.go4th.org.uk

Who makes this happen?

All of this relies on a huge number of volunteers, who are recruited and trained in September and October. They can commit themselves to as little as one shift every other week, which can be early evening, early morning, overnight, or as welcomers at the start of the evening.

Andrew Wasdell explained how the teams source food (as inexpensively as possible) as well as cooking it for the evening meal, and how they relate to the guests, helping them to relax and feel safe. Both he and Sara stressed how varied the guests are in their circumstances, and how homelessness can happen to anyone.

Winter Night Shelter MK Free Talk on Homelessness 27 January 2019
http://www.go4th.org.uk

What about the rest of the year?

We learnt too that there is a welfare team that provides support throughout the year, referring guests on to appropriate agencies. The aim is always to avoid dependence and encourage self-respect, and they offer

  • legal and housing advice
  • on-site addiction support
  • access to food and clothing aid
  • assistance obtaining ID and accessing bank accounts
  • help with accommodation and employment applications
  • life skills and employment skills training
  • homelessness prevention initiatives.

All Saints has in the past collected warm winter clothing for the WNSMK, although storage can be a problem, but other ways of helping are: by fund raising; by regular, small donations (vital for planning ahead); by checking the WNSMK Facebook page and their Amazon wish-list, buying items to be delivered directly to them. Raising awareness of the wonderful work done by the WNSMK and the kinds of support they need in order to continue to do it is also of great value.

Look out too for the sponsored sleep-out at the end of the season – another good way of offering financial support. https://www.winternightsheltermk.com

Weʼve raised £450 to help Winter Night Shelter Milton Keynes

On 31st March 8pm to 6am 1st April 2017 Kim one of our parishioners took part to help WNSMK raise funds, you can read her story here:

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/kim-wong-mkwns

Nov 27
0

Go 4th Domestic Violence – Free Talk given by MK ACT Charity, hosted at All Saints Church, Milton Keynes Village

By | Free Talk, Monthly updates, November 2018 | No Comments

To commemorate the International Day for the Ending of Violence Against Women, we hosted a very engaging and thought-provoking talk given to us by an exceptional speaker who volunteers for MK-Act, the women’s refuge.  About 25 people came and learnt a lot about the great challenge of domestic abuse in MK, how we can help spot it and how we can support those affected by it.  Donations to MK-Act totalled £100 and many bought white ribbons to show their support.  We hope this will be the first of several talks about important issues hosted by All Saints over the winter months.  The events are open to all in the community and are always free of charge.

Joycelyn Vassel a Volunteer Speaker for MK Act Charity with GO 4th Rector Matt Trendall and Carolyn Sanderson http://www.go4th.org.uk

Joycelyn Vassel a Volunteer Speaker for MK Act Charity at GO 4th Milton Keynes, All Saints Church, Milton Keynes Village, 25 November 2018 http://www.go4th.org.uk

GO 4th Milton Keynes Joycelyn Vassel a Volunteer Speaker for MK Act Charity, at All Saints Church, Milton Keynes Village, 25 November 2018 http://www.go4th.org.uk

Audience listens attentively to a very informative talk by Joycelyn Vassel, a Volunteer Speaker for MK ACT at Go4th Milton Keynes http://www.go4th.org.uk

Literature handouts were available for all attendees to take away, giving a donation of our choice we received a beautiful gift for attending. MK Act Charity at GO 4th Milton Keynes, All Saints Church, Milton Keynes Village, 25 November 2018 http://www.go4th.org.uk. Also please visit MK Act website to be more informed and to help others http://www.mkact.com/

John 13:34
“I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another.”