Oak Grove Chapel - a church with community at heart.

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.”

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

Holiday Kidz Klub Montage 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

Ian Gibson, opening the Charity Shop 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.

6th February 2005 - Catton Walks - A Great Success!

A walkers view 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

Celebrate Christmas! 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

Sue Savory, Assistant Administrator 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 Guess Who? - Answers on a postcard....... 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.