SEAN & BRIGETTE CURRIN.

Hi, we are your Community Networkers for Great Finborough and Stowmarket (South areas). 

We were both born and grew up in Southern Africa.  We met at high school and after getting married we decided that we wanted to see a bit more of the world.  So we headed off for the USA where we lived for 6 months before moving to the UK, living in London, Essex and settling here in Suffolk with our two children. 

We joined The Forge Church in January 2011 and haven’t looked back since.  It’s a church for our whole family and the children enjoy going to all the extra events available to them.  We have met wonderful people and made friends, and now we look forward to meeting you!

CONTACT DETAILS:

gtfinboroughcn@forgechurch.com

07810 880095

  LUKE & LEANNE ALLARD               SEAN & BRIGETTE CURRIN              JUNE & DAVID BEALES                  

  STOWMARKET &                            GREAT FINBOROUGH &                    HAUGHLEY &                                   

  STOWUPLAND                                STOWMARKET (SOUTH)                  BURY ST EDMUNDS                         

NIALL & REBEKKAH DYER                ANGELA BRINKLEY                           BEX WILDING & JAN WATSON

STONHAM ASPAL,                             BAYLHAM, BARHAM,                       GT BRICETT, BATTISFORD

CODDENHAM & CROWFIELD            CREETING & BRAMFORD                 & NEEDHAM MARKET

   RICHARD MARSH &                      SUZIE MILLER & VAL LAWES              RAMSEY & NAOMI SELIM

    ROS HUGHES                                  MENDLESHAM                                      WINSTON, FRAMSDEN,

    OLD NEWTON                                                                                               HELMINGHAM & SAXTEAD

   DENNIS & JULIE SORE                      PHIL & BERYL SMITH                        RAY & SUE KEEBLE

   WICKHAM SKEITH                           IPSWICH                                             STRADBROKE & EYE

    SHIRLEY HUMPHREY

    GISLINGHAM &

    THORNHAM MAGNA

A recent conversation with my now grown up sons reminded me of a car accident we were all involved in 30 years ago yet for one reason or another we all still feel the effects of it.  We were towing our caravan back from a surprisingly dry holiday in Wales.  The boys were asleep in the back of the car so all was peaceful.  Suddenly the car in front braked suddenly, we did the same but the car driver behind us was not so alert and he hit our caravan.  The impact lodged the caravan on to the back of our car and in the process wrote off the caravan.

In the back of the caravan was my sons’ treasured red pedal car made from scratch by their granddad who could have been the originator of Scrap Heap Challenge programme on T.V. Tears rolled down their cheeks as they saw the twisted and now useless heap of tangled metal.  To this day they speak of the pedal car with fond but sad memories.  For us, there was a 15 hour journey back home with a caravan locked on the back of the car.

I often wonder if the driver of the car in front ever knew of the devastation and chaos he had left behind him by breaking so hard for no apparent reason, and if he did, why didn’t he stop?  Did he look in his rear view mirror?

At a recent Community Networker team meal we were talking to each other about how we carry out our Community Networker role.  There was a common feeling of not doing enough, knowing we should be organising meals and activities, and a feeling that everybody else was doing really well.  How quick we are to put ourselves down for what we don’t do rather than acknowledge what we have been able to do.

As Community Networker Co-ordinator however, I see a very different picture as I go around and chat to the team and hear from people who have been on the receiving end of their care and support.  I hear about individual stories of care shown, meals provided, and calls made in time of stress and struggle.  I see Community Networkers using their many skills to bless and encourage others and at the same time share their faith with people who have little or no faith.

Society encourages us to “think big”, but I would encourage the Community Networkers and anyone else reading this to “think small”.  Don’t get stressed about the big event you haven’t yet planned, rather focus on making a difference and bringing God’s love to one person or family on your patch.  Then take time to look behind you and see the difference you have made to that individual or family – and thank God that He could use you.  If you can do that then you have done your job well.

So whatever you have planned for the next few weeks, think small, and keep your eye on your rear view mirror.

Jan Watson

Community Networker for Gt Bricett, Battisford & Needham Market

Wow, we have been set a challenge by the leadership to double our impact and be as Christ in our community!

As we listened to the talk about connecting in our village my mind was thinking that my village is where I live and meet the community, where I can make a difference.  Our Village Connectors may only meet twice a year for fellowship and because we are from several areas but we have assured each other we are there to support and help with any activity which needs assistance.

From day to day we have so many connections with those with whom we work, learn, play and help.  We have teachers, those engaged in business, in social work, the civil service and retirees.  Our interests and pastimes include running, youth club, bowls, WI, Open the Book, Music, local government, and other things, so think just how many people we must be rubbing shoulders with.

Visiting the family who received a food hamper at Christmas they asked about the church and it was good to say that as well as meeting on a Sunday for adult worship, we had children’s and youth congregations and activities for them during the week, and we were engaged in meeting the needs of people in the community by offering food parcels, helping with practical support and advising in matters of finance.  In handing them our Village Connection Card, we were saying we want to be as Christ to you in what we can offer and support you with.

Praying into the lives of those we come across who have many difficulties and problems enables us to identify with them and think of ways in which we may be the answer to some of these problems, and also to see some of the difficulties evaporate or see answers such as when there is physical healing. 

June Beales

Community Networker for Haughley, Bury St Edmunds and Rattlesden

This morning I walked into the dining room and out again before I realised that the electric lights were on.  It was broad daylight and so the artificial electric light just couldn’t be seen except that the extra light brought a deeper glow to the room, which is why I noticed. 

Last evening when I walked into the same room, I crashed into the table because it was dark.  “That is why,” my husband pointed out, “they put light switches at the entrance doors to a room.  If you switch them on, you get plenty of light to help you walk safely!”  Well, most people know that.  It made me think, though. Light only shows up in the dark.  We have no street lighting in Wickham Skeith so we always take a torch when we go out after dark to avoid falling into potholes in our lane.

Scripture teaches us to ‘Walk in the light’.  ‘You will become a light for the nations’.  If we are to be ‘light’ as the Bible says, and bring light to the darkness it makes sense that God places Christians in difficult places.  How many people do you know who are sad, lonely, depressed, downtrodden—you don’t have to look far to find them, Jesus can bring amazing light to their lives.   No excuse then for us to hide in our homes or little corners.  Time to get out there, to get involved. 

Sometimes, as Community Networkers we feel inadequate and wonder just how we can ever make a difference and bring God’s light to those who don’t seem interested in Christian things.  We have come to the conclusion that it all begins by just being and sharing ourselves.  If we can all just enjoy being the person we were created to be, using our gifting and giving our time, then God can use what we have to offer the same way he used the loaves and fishes… and that’s not too difficult!

Dennis & Julie Sore

Community Networkers in Wickham Skeith.

Christmas is over; all those months of anticipation, gone; as we step into the New Year, 2012. I wonder what excitement this year will bring?

I’d like to think that as the months go by I could make a difference in someone’s life, by sharing my faith and living out what God has called me to be. I would not only want to help a friend, but to open my door to a stranger and to give more than I have, to those who are in need.  So as I think of this year, and all the plans I am making, my main hope is that lives around me would be transformed and changed, and that the lost would be found because of the amazing truth of Jesus. I am so excited that I can be a part of this!

As a Community Networker, I feel my role is to help strengthen and bring together the Church in the local communities we live; after all we have so much to give.

So this year let us meet every once in a while, we can eat, drink and share conversation, we can collaborate as a team and make ourselves known in our Community, but let us do it all in good cheer, not as a task but as a way to bring life to lives around us.

Suzie Miller

Community Networker for Mendlesham

A fun day was had by all at the Stowupland Fun / Run Walk in December.  The sun was shining and there was excitement in the air despite the cold winter weather.  The runners were warming up and the walkers were looking forward to stretching their legs.  There were two options available – a 2 mile walk and a 7 mile run for those feeling a little more adventurous.

Most of the runners doing the run had not actually done any training in the lead up to the day which made their commitment to the cause all the more impressive.  They would run 7 miles of hills, mud and trails before returning for a pint at the pub!

The walkers enjoyed learning more about the sights of Stowupland and returning to the pub for a much-earned meal!

£100 was raised for Foodbank (a fantastic initiative run by the Forge Community Church to help those in the area who experience financial difficulties) – a big ‘Thank You’ to all those who raised money on this day.

Luke Allard

Community Networker for Stowmarket & Stowupland

In a church the size of the Forge it is probably not possible to get to know everyone, which is why we feel  the Community Networkers idea is good, as at least you can meet those who are local to you and are able to give each other encouragement and support.

A couple of weeks ago we had a bring and share evening for the Forge folk in our area (Stradbroke, Eye and surrounding villages). Steve and Zoe kindly let us all invade their lovely home and we had a good evening just eating and getting to know each other better. Some of us had never actually met before although we live fairly near to each other.

We hope to arrange something else together soon. If you live around this area and we have not yet met you please do get in touch we would love to hear from you.

Ray & Sue Keeble

Comunity Networkers for Stradbroke & Eye

It has been an exciting time in Old Newton with the setting up very recently of the Good Neighbourhood Scheme (DING DONG) by Sue Clements who is a village member. Sue came and joined us at our Community Networkers meeting in November and told us about the scheme. The scheme supports the residents of Dagworth, Old Newton and Gipping (DONG). It has already been working along with the Forge by supporting a new family to the village and church.

We also linked our “stumps” in Old Newton with the Forge. This was the second season of friendly cricket matches. Although very competitive with some members batting for both sides, it was a relaxed and fun afternoon to those watching a gentlemanly sporting match. Thank you to all who took part and hope your bat is oiled for next season! A special thanks to Kevin Swinbun and Saun Cole.

Both Richard and I enjoy being part of our village and play an active role within it. We feel that as Community Networkers, we need to build relationships between the Forge and our village, enabling us to support those who are seeking. The Forge provides us with a range of events to invite people to including the Forge Christmas production, Girls Allowed events and Men at the Forge.

Richard’s wife Emma, son Daniel and myself have been fortunate to visit our Zambia link at the Forge. The village has supported us in our fund raising events through charity cricket matches, ‘bring and buy’ sales and kind donations. We also had the opportunity to share our experiences with our village through informed film shows and conversations, giving us an opportunity to share our faith and the Forge.

Ros Hughes

Community Networker for Old Newton

“‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

Matthew 22:37-40 (NLT)

Loving my neighbour as myself was something that I always thought I did.  But if I’m honest, it never got any further than thinking about it…

For the last 10 years I had been stuck in an endless cycle of commuting to work, doing long hours and coming home late, never seeing my kids until the weekends.  Sitting in a packed commuter train, full of people, most of whom were so consumed with the ever increasing work targets and projects that they stared busily into their laptops, oblivious to those around them.  At the end of the working day, people arrived home, pulled into their driveway, shut the door, closed the curtains and put the TV on.  Then they went off to bed before it started all over again.  The rat race.

Friday 23^rd April 2010 was the day when I was made redundant from my insurance position.  Although it caused slight panic as to how I was going to feed my kids, it brought with it the revelation that I could finally do something else, something that would allow me to spend more time with my ever growing family.

7 days later and I was in Zambia.  This was my second trip so I knew about the crushing poverty and the desperate situation that most people were in.  Yet, what moved me more was the sheer beauty and selflessness of these stunning people.  People who had nothing, yet were willing to spend their lives caring for the sick and the dying.  The richness of their community is something that I will never forget and yet something that most of us seem to have lost over the years.  Where the latest toys and bigger pay packets are more important than the lady who lives down the street. 

This is what the ‘Community Networker’ initiative is all about, bringing this sense of richness and love to our local communities by spending time together, having fun, and supporting and looking after each other.

We are really excited about the possibilities over the coming months and years to build and strengthen the community in our area and look forward to meeting new people and build on existing friendships that we have.

Leanne and I are currently in the process of organising a run / walk in December to raise money for Christmas Hampers to give to those who struggle financially at Christmas Time – watch this space for details!

Luke Allard 

Community Networker for Stowmarket & Stowupland