VES Team End of Week Update | Spotlight on Reza!
Dear wonderful VES team,
Hope you are well - and thank you for stepping straight back into the rhythm of term after the half term break. With the exception of a 10.30am Tuesday Centrale fire alarm evacuation, it was a really positive first week back!
Spotlight this week: Reza
This week we said goodbye (for now) to Reza, a key member of the VES team, who has been moved to Woolwich.
Reza first came to VES around May last year while his asylum claim was being processed. Bilingual and with previous experience teaching English, he quickly moved into serving on the team - and has been a massive asset to the school ever since.
What stands out most is the way he continued to serve faithfully during a very difficult season - navigating uncertainty here, and often painful news (or silence) from home. He kept showing up, teaching well, and blessing others. He also regularly travelled across Croydon - often two buses (!!) to be with us at Croydon Vineyard on Sundays, and has become a dear friend to many.
People moving on is part of the nature of VES, we usually only get a chapter or two of each other's lives, but I will personally particularly miss Reza. He embodies so much of what we’re about.
Encouragingly, there is a large Iranian community in Woolwich, and a Vineyard church running an English Club less than ten minutes from his new home! We’re praying the next chapter is a really good one.
Reza - thank you! We’re grateful for you. Please visit before too long!
Training opportunity — THIS MONDAY (please sign up)
On Monday 2nd March, Orchards (a London-based Christian charity) will deliver a lunchtime training session on Understanding Sexual Exploitation. This builds on our January safeguarding training and is an important next step for us as a community.
A light lunch will be provided.
Please sign up here if you’re able to attend:
https://croydonvineyard.churchsuite.com/events/w1fh5mt9
VES Dashboard — Week at a Glance
• 22 classes delivered across 4 days (plus 3 creche sessions and 1 youth drop-in)
• 202 student sessions enabled
• 66 volunteer sessions given
• Weekly participation number: 306
• +81% increase on the same week last year
Behind each of those numbers is a person being welcomed, taught, and encouraged. Thank you for making that possible.
Dates reminder
• Last session of term: Thursday 26 March (Easter Party)
• Two week Easter Holiday: 30 March – 10 April
• Save the Date - our third annual “Welcoming Well Conference” - Monday 1st June
Thank you again for all you carry and all you give. Have a great weekend and I looking forward to seeing you next week!
Much love,
Andy Brims