Learning a little guitar...
Pete Cornford describes how he’s trying something new, and getting to know his community at the same time!
As a Hanwell resident over the years I have loved watching the local Ukulele group perform at the Hanwell Carnival and The Hanwell Hootie as well as on other fun occasions. The players all seemed to be having such a good time and the audience would dance and sing along.
Despite never having picked up the small instrument before, a year ago, I decided to go along on a Tuesday night and join the band. I am so glad that I took a step into the unknown! There have been several benefits to joining the group…
The friendly and welcoming nature of the group has meant I’ve made friends.
Tuesday nights have become a great way to connect with my local community outside of a church context.
I always enjoy my evening singing and playing at the W7 on the Green, and representing Redeemer at these events. It has been wonderful to perform locally.
It has been incredible to go along and support great local causes, encouraging and building up others that are benefitting our community.
I am stirred to challenge you with a couple of questions.
1) When did you last try something for the first time?
2) In what ways are you integrating into the local community?
Who knows how your life, or the lives or others might be changed when you step out and trying something new.
Pete.
Here is a link to the webpage is you want to come and join us:
HANWELL'S BEST HANGOUT
I'm very fortunate to only work four days a week, so I love to visit this place on my day off each Friday.
Among the things I love about living in Hanwell are the great parks, the canal I can walk, run or cycle beside, easy access to Ealing and London, the great schools (I teach in one of them!), the fantastic sense of community here and events that encourage this (we recently had the Hanwell Hootie)...and The Clocktower café!
I'm very fortunate to only work four days a week, so I love to visit the café on my day off each Friday. It's a great place to relax and hang out!
What do I love most about this café?
- I love the quirky, vintage interior and the different array of seating from bar stools to armchairs and sofas to benches with cushions – a very ‘homely’ environment in which to unwind
- I love the fact that I always bump into someone I know from the local area – it really is a great place to connect with others from the community
- I love the fresh, authentic, home-made food that is available from breakfast to brunch and lunch – not to mention the delicious cakes that are pretty irresistible (the Battenberg being a favourite!)
- I love the slowed-down, relaxed feeling you get there – you are never hurried away – you are always made to feel very welcome by the staff
- I love the fact that it's on my doorstep so I can enjoy it as often as I like – it really is one of Hanwell’s great treasures
If you haven't been – why not check it out on Facebook?
It's good to discover places where you can hang out, and be refreshed from the busyness of life.
I love gathering with the Redeemer community on Sundays to know God’s refreshing and empowering presence in our lives
Jesus said:
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28)
And one of the early church leaders explained the truth of gathering together:
...that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord... (Acts 3:20)
Why not come and hang out this Sunday?
I trust that you will also feel welcomed, feel that you have 'come home’, enjoy the coffee and cakes, and know something of God’s peace for you in the busyness of your life.