Networking

Dear Church family

Well, this past couple of weeks has been spent networking. Last week I met with Police and Gabbie at Woking Council offices, partly to talk about the specific issues on Horsell Common, and partly to gain support for one or two ideas that have come up; one of which is that perhaps, HCPS could dedicate non-sensitive space on the common for young people to 'do their thing'. This is early doors at the moment and the Trust has to be persuaded that it's a good plan, but I'm hoping this is what God wants and that if that's so then it'll happen.

Last night I went to In Tune, a police supported event in Knaphill and spoke to the local bobbies and one or two others, about anti-social behaviour in Knaphill. I confess I'm slightly confused, as the local community police are saying that Knaphill is relatively quiet, whilst someone in the Youth Seminar that took place, said that statistically there is more anti-social behaviour in Knaphill than on Goldsworth Park! It could be, of course, that neither suffers badly, and I'm sure that's the case when you compare leafy Surrey with inner-London. That said, let's pray that we never have to learn what it's like to live the inner-London way of life in Knaphill.

George has proposed that he and I and any others who want to join us should go out to the green in Victoria Road, opposite the Co-op. We'll be doing this on Monday evenings and we'll be taking a table, some drinks, and a ball etc and seeing who comes along. Please pray for this venture. If anybody is of a similar mind then please do let me know and we'll meet up for a pray beforehand.

One of the young people at last night's seminar said that the park in Sussex Road is a problem spot, she doesn't like to be there alone. Maybe if there's nobody in Victoria Road, we'll give that area a try as an alternative.

Someone also suggested that I should speak to Ypod, and I made contact there this morning. I've arranged to meet next week. Not sure which way this will go - perhaps an affiliation? They're hugely respected, so this might be an effective way forward.

Tuesday I went out again with the brilliant Old Woking team. All have day jobs; one, at least, travels miles to Old Woking (she lives in Aldershot, works in Southampton, which isn't exactly on the patch). I say they're 'brilliant', because of their unswerving obedience to The Lord. Not only do they turn up every Tuesday, they do so without complaint and feel bad about not turning up more frequently. They're inspirational, and I suspect The Lord's really pleased with them.

But they're being rewarded through the real relationships they're building with the area's young people. This week we met a young lad, the brother of one of the girls I've written of before. He was particularly excited about the prospect of 'taking out' Phil at a game of football and invited his mates down to the rec to see him do some damage. When it came to it, of course, he just played football. For all his bravado and language you wouldn't want your mother hearing, he played a good game. Boisterous, energetic, rough but nothing malicious.

It does seem that we're on the road to forming a charity. I'll be using the next two weeks to establish exactly how we do this, and praying that this is God's will. If it's all positive then we'll need trustees; I reckon around 6 or 7. If The Lord has laid this on your heart too, then please don't hesitate to step forward. You may think you're not up to it, but God has a habit of using the least likely people. It just takes obedience and His leading.

God bless and thanks for reading this. Plenty to pray for here. We're really needing you to do this, please.

John