Ebenezer Church: The After School Hangout that’s Warm in Multiple Ways

Case Study: Ebenezer Church created a warm space for families, fun and food

Ebenezer Church is located in Horfield where it serves its surrounding communities in many ways. Out of their Welcome Hub/Space the church runs an ‘after school hangout’.

“It's for children who are primary school aged and they can come with their carers and we have crafts and games and fun for an hour and a half, and at the end of the club we have a meal all together” said one of the team leaders, Helen Wong.

The church is particularly socially orientated, with a focus on serving the community and its also a base for other initiatives like Bristol Noise and the North Bristol / South Gloucestershire Foodbank.

“We love reaching out to different parts of our community. And afterschool hangout was a real chance to connect specifically with families. It really important to us that the community felt that our church building was a place where they could come and feel safe and loved and valued.”

Part of the way Ebenezer does that is by creating a relaxed atmosphere of care - remembering peoples names, remembering things that are important to their children. The weekly nature of the club allows them to build on those relationships.

“It's really important to us to be generous to our local community. It was on our heart that generosity was a big part of our offering to local families. So money for things like crafts and the meals that we provide is really important because it's a way for us to bless people in our local community.”

“Generosity is a value that's incredibly important to us as a church, particularly generosity with no strings attached. So we want to create an atmosphere at the afterschool hangout that's generous and joyous and fun”.

BCCF funding has been integral to providing food for around 60 people per club, a variety of crafts and games for the children to enjoy and an environment thats relationally and practically warm and welcoming.

“We believe that it's God loves a cheerful giver. And when families come to our after school hang out, we give cheerfully. To reflect that Jesus that we know.

BCCF grants help deliver targeted positive impact to critical needs across Bristol. Your donations enable local projects like this one to serve and support local people.

For more information

• visit www.ebe.org.uk/afterschoolhangout

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