News
(Item's are listed with newest item first)
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October
2007 - Norwich
saints march into new church hall (Article from
www.networknorwich.co.uk)
A New Orleans jazz band led a procession through Catton Grove
to mark the dedication of the new community arts and sports hall,
which Oak Grove Chapel are partners in. John Breeze reports.
Led by the New Orleans Mardy Jazz Band the triumphal procession
raised eyebrows and enormous local interest as part of the Celebration
and Dedication Day activities to mark the opening of the new hall
in the Catton Grove area of Norwich. The hall will be used by
Oak Grove Chapel for its growing Sunday Morning Congregation and
at other times by Catton Grove School and community groups.
After a stop at Oak Grove Chapel to give thanks for the work there
since 1935, the procession moved on, including guest of honour,
Miss Vera Askham, Oak Grove’s oldest-longest serving member
who would open the new building, the Communion Table and Communion
Set – symbolising the importance, the centrality of the
death and resurrection of Jesus to the church’s life and
message. Many friends from far and near who had been part of the
history of Oak Grove from earlier days were also there.
When the Saints go Marching In was played as the
procession arrived at the new hall, with the Lord Mayor, Cllr
Ray Blowers, Mrs Blowers and North Norwich MP Dr Ian Gibson in
attendance.
Ian Savory, Oak Grove’s Senior Leader, welcomed all present
and and after worship led by the Oak Grove Band, Ian invited Vera
to cut the ribbon and declare the facility truly open.
Guest speaker, Rev Steve Chalke of the Oasis Trust, said he was
moved by the initiative of having a church hall linked with a
school: “This is incarnation of the Christian message,”
he said, “and something which gives us great encouragement.”
The work of the church is to incarnate the message of Jesus and
that means getting down to where people are hurting, said Steve.
To offer them the party of their life - a party Jesus called ‘abundant
life’. After a party of Oak Grove type tea and cakes the
delegates adjourned for a break before the evening session.
In the evening, church leaders from around the county joining
for the Faithworks’ Seminar, when Steve was interviewed
about his journey through the story of the Oasis movement and
Faithworks project.
He explained how the Church had been involved with community,
social, caring and educational projects through the ages but had
abdicated that responsibility to government. He spoke of his involvement
with Government in looking at ways in which church could re-engage
with such issues as health and education. He spoke of the work
the Oasis Trust is doing in building educational and health facilities.
He challenged: “It’s time to re-engage! It’s
time to get out and get involved – church was never meant
to be just sitting listening to sermons – it is not even
about getting to heaven - it is about bringing the kingdom of
heaven to earth.”
Using the incident of Jesus ‘cleansing the
temple’ in Matthew 21, Steve went on to explain the principle
of Intelligent Church - what we know of Jesus will tell us what
we are here for and what church should be like. It is time to
demolish those attitudes and structures that keep the church away
from getting involved with those who need help, said Steve.
Pictured above are the jazz band marching
the congregation to their new hall and guest speaker Steve Chalke
at the evening elebration.
July 2007
- The new building is nearly ready!
Are you ready?! September
2nd 2007 is the kick off day, with the official Church launch
on October 6th with guest speaker Steve chalke (The official
school opening and Community concert is Sept 8th).
 In
case you've missed the news, Oak Grove is working alongside
the new Catton Grove primary school in developing a community
hall as part of the new school site.
The new community hall would be used as a sports hall by
the school during the week and by us on the weekend for
various activities. It will also be available to be used
by other community groups.
Following the government’s new plans for junior school
education, in September 2007 the Catton Grove First and
Middle schools will be combined into one Primary school.
This building project is another step forward in our relationship
with schools and the community that we partner with - together
for the benefit of the whole area. This is incarnation,
bringing out the God flavours of the earth!
Oak Grove’s financial contribution will mean that
the school and community has a larger hall than they would
otherwise get, furnished with a large stage area, PA, lighting
facilities and storage areas to accommodate up to 300 people.
Ian Savory says: "This project is about partnership
between the school, chapel and other groups. It will give
us a venue that can benefit the whole community. The Chapel
has been working in this area for 70 years and as such has
been proud to be a part of the community, looking at various
local issues and encouraging people to also be a part of
the wider world. This venue is the next step for us as we
grow as a community in confidence and abilities.”
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June 2007 - BBC grant for
youth worker
Hooray! We've been awarded £89,274 to fund a youth
worker over the next three years by the BBC Children in
Need Appeal! Darren Woodward says: "We're really chuffed.
This is the third bid we have put in and the first time
we have been successful."
The youth worker will work with children in the 11-14 age
group, which the project has not previously been able to
work with.
Oak Grove is among hundreds of projects helping disadvantaged
children and young people to benefit from the £15m
in grants from the appeal, £2m of which has been awarded
to projects in the Midlands and East of England.
Last November's BBC Children in Need appeal night raised
£18.3m, and since then the appeal has received additional
donations from across the UK. The charity has received thousands
of applications for funding which are rigorously assessed
and processed.
The 792 projects finally selected all work with youngsters
who are affected by homelessness, neglect, abuse or poverty,
or those who have encountered serious illness, disabilities
and psychological disorders.
The grants are targeted at the areas of greatest need and
are allocated geographically to ensure that all areas of
the UK receive a share. Nationally, the average amount awarded
to a project is £19,916, with grants ranging in size
from £350 £344,570. |
| 27th - 31st July 2005 Holiday
Club |
 This
year's holiday club, saw us taking on the theme of Shrek
- you know that well known bible story sandwiched somewhere
in between the gospels in the New Testament!
We used the story to look at issues such as self worth,
and achieving against the odds, and that to God we are all
beautifully and uniquely made - it doesn't matter what we
look like it's what's inside that counts.
A great time was had by all, not least the satff who yet
again got the chance to dress up and play the fool(s). |
| 2nd July 2005 - Community
Concert, & Oak Grove Chapel's 70th Birthday Celebrations |
Our annual community concert, now in it's
5th year was extended into a weekend of celebrations as
this year
saw the event coincide with the 70th anniversary of Oak
Grove Chapel.
Our special guests for the whole weekend were
the People's Christian Fellowship Gospel Choir from Tottenham,
London, led by Pastor David Daniels. The Lee Vesey Band
once again got Catton Grove rocking during the Saturday
afternoon with their mix of music suitable for all ages.
Perhaps the biggest round of applause of the day was reserved
for our very own Catton Community choir, specially assembled
for this event, made up of men women, children, school staff
and many more, who performed two numbers with the PCF Choir. |
| 28th April 2005 - Oak Grove
Mum's & Toddlers Celebrating 25 Years |
When we say we are going to do something, we do it! An
example of this is our very successful Mum's and Toddlers
group, who celebrated their 25th year anniversary on 28th
April. One of the original founders and leaders of the group
still helps lead the group each week, and many toddlers
who attended in the early days, now have grown up, had children
of their own and bring them along too!
Mum's and toddlers runs every Thursday term-time, and costs
50p per child. - All Welcome |
| 19th April - Oak Grove Trust
Charity Shop opens |
 The
Oak Grove Trust Charity shop opened on 19th April, with
a short speech and the official opening being performed
by Dr Ian Gibson MP. The shop has been established, to
provide decent. low-cost clothes and bric-a-brac to the
local community and also to bring in another source of
income to help towards funding our ongoing work within
the local community. 10% of all profits will go to our
chosen charity for that year.
Volunteers to man the shop / to sort clothes or to collect
items to bring into the shop are very welcome, please
contact the office for further details.
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| 6th February 2005 - Catton
Walks - A Great Success! |
 In
response to the news of the Tsunami disaster in Asia, Oak
Grove Chapel, in partnership with Christian Aid, the Catton
Grove & Angel Road Schools, and the Waterloo Park Pavillion
playgroup organised and took part in a sponsored walk to
raise money for the people affected by the disaster. Around
500 people turned up and walked anywhere from one to many
circuits enjoying each others company and the fresh air
as they went.
The event followed a week of assemblies being
done in schools raising awareness of those in need and how
even small amounts of money could have a large impact on
people on the other side of the world. Money is still coming
in, so as yet we do not have a final figure but we hope
to publish the total soon. |
| 11th December 2004 - Celebrate
Christmas with Oak Grove and Friends |
 Oak
Grove goes to Hollywood! - no not the eighties liverpudlian
pop band, but Oak Grove's Christmas Musical extravaganza,
held at the Hollywood Cinema, Anglia Square, with around
75 performers of all ages form the Catton Grove Community.
The event saw approximately 400 people attend, including
our VIP guests, the Sheriff of Norwich and his Wife, Mr
and Mrs Paul King, and was partly sponsored by Norwich Learning
Cities, with the remainder of costs being covered by ticket
sales.
All profits from the event, plus the exit collection taken
on the night went to Copars, a local charity working with
children and families affected by cancer. We were pleased
to pass on a cheque for £500.00. |
| 9th November 2004 - New member
of staff appointed |
|  We
are pleased to announce that we have recently appointed,
a new Assistant Administrator to join our staff team, helping
with all that goes on in our increasingly busy office.
Sue Savory joined us on 9th November, bringing with her
a wealth of experience from her previous employment, including
experience of working within both the voluntary and statutory
sectors, and also fundraising. |
| 16th October - Catton Grove
Clear Day (No.2) |
  Catton
Grove Clear Day, a mission to tidy up and clear refuse from
2 designated areas of Catton Grove. - This was an initiative
from Norwich City Council, which we as an organisation were
invited to take part in, and contribute to the overall success
of the day, together with many local residents and the CityCare
refuse teams. We took part in the second arranged day, targeting
Jewson Road, the previous weekend had seen the same activities
taking place in the Saffron Square area. Both the days were
themed as carnivals with a procession of refuse vehicles collecting
rubbish ably assisted and supported by Theatre of Adventure
and the Norwich Samba Band!
Now who was behind the mask of that Super Pooper Scooper? |
| 8th October 2004 - Newly refurbished
offices, grand opening |
After spending some weeks over the summer, re-decorating
and re-organising our office administration base, with a donation
of monies recieved from Norwich Consolidated Charities. We
threw open our doors to show-off our the fruits of our hard
work, and also as a showcase for the work we are involved
with in the local community.
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