Ignite

After the 16 month furlough caused by Covid-19, in June 2021 work began on reconnecting with our Ignite community and wider Sheerness community. By August 2021, socials were able to be held on Monday evenings gathering this community back together. In September 2021 our themed evenings were able to be relaunched and we were welcoming on average 25-30 people a week. In the fall up to winter, sadly, numbers dropped due to people moving away, darker nights, a change of weather and the impact of lockdown where people were forced out of the habit/routine of going out of an evening.

However, since the new year we have been delighted to welcome an average of 15 regulars per week with an additional 10-15 attending frequently. We were also able to start our Ignite Tea and Toast morning on Tuesdays which has enabled a peaceful, unhurried time to continue conversations from the Monday session, provide support and meet new people. These Tuesdays also enable an alternative time to meet with people we connected with who are unable to attend on Monday evenings.

Since May 2022 we have also been able to recommence providing tea and coffee at the Foodbank on a Monday morning. This has been a fruitful time to meet new people and catch up with those we had been unable to see since before lockdown. During this time we have seen at least 47 new people come along to Ignite at some point, had opportunities to pray for people, support people through life crises and share the hope of the Gospel with many. Please pray for Ignite and how it can be sustained moving forward into the future.