Mission and Ministry in a Covid-restricted Birmingham
March 2020 was a month of high hopes and adventures for the Miltons. With a long-awaited sabbatical planned for Chris for three months starting on 23rd and a new ‘Stay & Play’ project for Lorraine, we went headlong into the month. We can honestly say, not just for us, that it certainly was a month that changed all normality and expectations to come! Everything that was routine and normal was stopped, put on hold, or cancelled for good. Chris had planned a personal retreat during his sabbatical, as well as a ‘vision visit’ to an upcycling project for inspiration. None of this was able to go ahead in the way he had planned. Sadly, the ongoing COVID restrictions means Chris is still prevented from going into his prison or to Cadbury Sixth Form College, as Chaplain. For Lorraine, the Stay & Play has not yet got off the ground and support groups that were part of her ministry had to stop meeting in person.
Sadly, the church community we are part of, Bishop Latimer, has not been able to meet since March, with no on-line provision. We hope to start meeting very soon.
We were aware that access to food and food poverty in general during the lockdown was a growing issue. Food banks where reporting on the news that their services where being accessed more than ever before. One Food bank service said there had been ‘an 89% increase in need for emergency food parcels during April 2020’.
Locally, The Food Hub at St Germain’s and the FAB Food Pantry of Oasis Foundry & Boulton Academy schools were birthed. St Germain’s offers free food and spiritual/prayer support while the FAB Food Pantry, a community membership style project, focused on sustainability. We have been helping at both for a few months now and have seen how invaluable these projects are to their surrounding communities.
“As a result, Chris has been able to pray for many prisoners!”
Not deterred by the restrictions, we have found many opportunities to help our community. We have made craft packs for families; Chris has been supporting a guy who lives in a nearby supported accommodation in Winson Green; and through yourneighbour.org Lorraine has been supporting a young girl with mobility issues and who had COVID with general tasks at home and offering friendship. Chris started a men’s informal Bible study (socially distanced of course!) in a local coffee shop. This is amazing, as the coffee shop owner is a Muslim! In the light of the latest restrictions for Birmingham, he will of course need to further adapt this. A new UK wide freephone prayerline for prisoners, set up by Prison Fellowship, has meant that people in prison now have the freedom and privacy to send messages and ask for prayer anonymously. As a result, Chris has been able to pray for many prisoners!
The OM (Operation Mobilisation) team in Halesowen have now put their English improvement programme, ELCO (English Language Community Opportunities) online because of the COVID restrictions. Chris was able to present his regular ‘mission & ministry’ session to the students registered, in Japan and South America, from the office in Halesowen. Chris is mentoring ‘M’ from South America. He told Chris that he had wanted to do the ELCO teaching for some time but could not owing to other commitments. COVID has made it possible! The student has plans to move to the Middle East with his wife, after ELCO.
“Amidst all the COVID pandemic and life changing happenings this year, we were finally passed in August to adopt children!”
Amidst all the COVID pandemic and life changing happenings this year, we were finally passed in August to adopt children. We know that this will continue to bring change to us and see it as an amazing opportunity to offer a permanent home and a family to children.
Please Pray with us:
For us to have wisdom and patience as we are actively seeking the right sibling group to join our family.
That both of the food services will remain available and will continue to be a lifeline for those in need. Please pray for the forming of good friendships with those that come and freedom for individuals to get prayer if needed.
For the men's ministry in Winson Green, as they adapt in the light of COVID. For those who attend and particularity for it to have an impact on the Muslim coffee shop owner.
For our continuing ministry and impact in the Winson Green area and the church at Bishop Latimer, especially as we have both now become NHS volunteers.
Thank you for your partnership with us in Winson Green and the wider Birmingham area.
Chris and Lorraine Milton
OM (Operation Mobilisation) | Community Ministry. Winson Green.
Chris and Lorraine are supported by Adrian and Sue Allchin’s Home Group.
