Warm Welcoming Wednedays

Richard worships at Holy Trinity North Ormesby where he serves as a welcomer on Sunday mornings and completed Stepping Up in December 2022.

Richard has had a lived experience of struggling with loneliness which greatly impacted his mental health and other aspects of his well-being. As he listened to God about what his mission should be, he felt strongly in his heart to do something for people who might find themselves in a similar position. In his own words:

“I was in a very low place when I was in my period of loneliness and I never want anyone to feel what I felt without any opportunity of community and support.”

Richard set up 3 W’s to be a warm and welcoming meeting space on Wednesday afternoons that is safe, friendly and open to all who want to come along and be part of it. Richard describes it as, “A space for adults who may otherwise be socially isolated, to chat, have a cuppa, with games or crafts as an option too.”

Some of the crafts and activities that have been popular in his group are diamond art, jewelry making, knitting, uno and 3-sided dominoes, to name a few! They usually see a dozen or more people access this space every week, which has become a first point of contact between the church and community for several of these people.

Richard will take opportunities to pray for people and share faith as individuals open to him through the trust he builds with them. Some integrate into other aspects of weekly parish life, including the Cloister café on Tuesdays and some have even started coming to Sunday services.

Richard reflects on what 3 W’s has become and what it means to the people who join:

“It’s a great group [with] lots of fun and laughter. It is a very welcoming friendly group, who have great fun and support one another.”

To read more about Richard’s story click here.