VES Team End of Spring Term Update | Spotlight on Celebration!
Dear wonderful VES team,
Hope you are well - and thank you for such a strong finish to the term together this week.
As we come to the end of term, I just want to say a heartfelt thank you. Week in, week out, you have welcomed people, taught with care, created community, and helped this place feel safe, hopeful, and alive. It really is making a difference in people’s lives.
Spotlight this week: Celebration
1) Yesterday - the Easter Party
Yesterday was a brilliant morning - full of life, energy, and genuine connection.
Over 100 hot cross buns served (and quickly eaten!)
Games, laughter, and a full room through the morning
Strong partner presence through stalls and conversations
Live music, mural story, and a fantastic Easter message from Chris
A real sense of shared community
A particular highlight was celebrating those who have stepped into volunteering roles: Manuel, Fatiha, Idania, Ran, Sherry and Danny - so encouraging to see the community being a community that serves.
Thank you for all the extra mile effort so many of you gave to make that happen. Each time we do a big celebration morning, we get a little bit better. Thank you for your patience, flexibility, and generosity as we keep learning together!
2) The bigger picture - this term
Yesterday wasn’t just a one-off, it was a reflection of a really strong term - our first full term of 4 mornings a week, no mean feat!
Consistent, high-quality classes across four mornings
A growing and increasingly confident student community
More students stepping into volunteering and leadership
Partnerships strengthening around the work
There is a lot to be grateful for - and if you are reading this, you are a part of that!
A quick funding note
We’ve had some really encouraging news this week:
Croydon Council have confirmed an additional unexpected amount of funding, in addition to the previous grant they gave us last year. They have been really impressed by what’s happening at VES. The 'extra' is also as good a signal as we could get towards the possibility of a more significant future round of funding later this year.
We are also close to submitting a major bid for the Ending Homelessness in Communities Fund, in partnership with Bluetouch (Ian and Adil) and Welcome Paths
If you are someone who prays - these would be great things to pray into over the coming days and weeks. I will keep the team posted on the outcomes.
Easter break
Just to be really clear:
No VES classes for the next two weeks
Summer term starts: Monday 13th April
Easter services at Croydon Vineyard — you are very welcome
You would be very welcome at Croydon Vineyard over Easter:
Good Friday (3:00–4:30pm)
https://croydonvineyard.churchsuite.com/events/howxsopk
Easter Sunday
9:30am — https://croydonvineyard.churchsuite.com/events/qtpx4kbl
11:30am — https://croydonvineyard.churchsuite.com/events/cgnkdxuk
VES Dashboard — Week at a Glance
11 classes delivered across 2 days
(plus 1 creche session, 1 youth drop-in, and 1 BIG Easter celebration)200 student sessions enabled
66 team sessions given
Weekly participation number: 286
+77% increase on this time last year
Behind each of those numbers is a person being welcomed, taught, and encouraged - thank you for making that possible.
Dates for the diary
Easter break: Next two weeks
Summer term starts: Monday 13th April
Vineyard Leaders’ Gathering 27–28th April https://www.vineyardgathering.com/
Welcoming Well Conference: Monday 1st June
A personal note
I’ll be away on annual leave next week - back for Easter Sunday, and then working the second week. I hope you’re able to get some rest over Easter as well.
As we step into this Easter period:
The message of the cross is that Jesus loves us
The message of the resurrection is that he has the power to make all things new
That is our hope - for us, and for every person who walks through the VES doors.
Thank you again for all you give, it really is a privilege to build this together. Have a great break, and I look forward to seeing many of you soon.
Much love,
Andy Brims
