One of the projects that has developed most naturally and (excuse the pun) organically, is our Bring and Share Lunch. The bakery team and other volunteers and staff needed to eat. So we ate alongside each other. Then we started to share the fresh bread, and our homecooked and shop-bought food with each other. And then the bakery creche team joined us.
And then people who had dropped in for a cuppa and a bit of company. And then we started spreading the word.
We never know who will be there or what we will eat, but we know it will be joyful - it just always is!
The youngest to have joined us so far is 8 weeks old, and the most mature in their mid 80s, and we’ve had a good gender mix too. So far around 10 nationalities have been represented and people from a number of faiths and no faith.
Today, one luncher noted:
I discovered the community hub via its bakery as I donated some flour. When I dropped it off I was invited in and realised there was all manner of great things happening! I've done stay and play with my baby and the Wednesday community lunch. Feel so lucky to have this right on my doorstep it really is the epitome of 'community'. Really excited to do more activities and engage with nice people in the area I live in.
Here’s a picture from today’s lunch. If you’d like to come along, just bring a little something to share or make a donation to our latest fundraiser, to fund a trip to the Black Country Museum for the Bakery Team and their families!
Image description: a graphic depiction of a bear and the Bearwood Hub logo, with the words: Bring & Share Lunch, Every Wednesday 12.30-13.30, All welcome. Bring a little something to share or make a donation to our Bakery Team’s Black Country Museum trip fund.
So what’s it like to attend our Bring and Share Lunch?
We were really pleased a few weeks ago to be joined by Lin from St Mary’s Church, whose building we are using. We asked her to write a short reflection on her experience:
On Wednesday, just after the Eucharist & Bible study, I visited The Hub after hearing that there was a free bring & share lunch on offer. It was truly wonderful to see so many dedicated people there who are involved in community work both in Bearwood and the wider Black Country. To name a few, there was a theatre production company called Black Country Touring, Bearwood Community Bakery, Juste4Kids creche, Cooperative Futures, as well as many individuals.
Oh, and on the subject of bread, it was delicious! Many of those who make the bread are Muslim women from overseas and they're very talented bakers indeed! It was also wonderful to see young children enjoying the premises in the ARP room, especially as I love unicorns!
I was trying to think of a word to describe the atmosphere and someone used the word "animated" which reflected the feel of The Hub well. Indeed it was wonderful to participate in the animated atmosphere at work and to see the building being used for a variety of good ventures.
By the way, the 'bring and share' lunch is open to all, every Wednesday between 12.30pm and 1.30pm. All are welcome with a little something to share. Well worth a visit!
The Hub seemed to me to reflect what community organisations are about, and indeed, the causes we, as church, are keen to support and enable. Here is an example of how we, as a church, can learn from a secular organisation and take inspiration from those who are using their various gifts for good.
Lin Barrington
We’re really grateful to Lin for her reflections, and to St Mary’s for being so open to us sharing their space and exploring how it can work for all in our community. We’re just at the start, but it’s been a positive partnership so far, inclusive of people of all faiths and none.