Organiser Catherine Burt says ‘The Stay & Play sessions were a great way to meet families from the area and to share with them why we were doing it. We made lots of connections with people who are keen to hear about what Compass will be doing in the future, as we look to introduce families to the Christian faith in contexts and ways that are relevant to them.’
Activities at the free sessions have included crafts – from scratch art shapes to monster tree rubbings, games – from playing with the parachute to cornhole and hula hooping, circus skills, LEGO, and more.
As well as providing activities for 4 to 11s, the drop-in events meant the Compass team could chat informally to parents/carers in a relaxed space while their children were taking part or using the nearby playground.
At the October session Catherine and her volunteer team were joined for the morning by the national Methodist Church Youth President Gracie Silk who came to see what the Compass Project has started to do in the Copnor area springboarding out of existing Girls’ Brigade and Boys’ Brigade groups.
Catherine adds ‘It was great to share with Gracie how we’re continuing getting to know families in the Copnor area and some of our future plans to develop this. It was lovely to have her with us engaging the children with various activities and seeing the joy in their faces as they took part. Plus, we were really blessed by the sun making a reappearance too after the recent stormy weather!
‘As the Compass Project Portsmouth doesn’t have a building, I’ve been spending a lot of time in the local area and park generally - praying and chatting to people. It’s been amazing to see God at work in the park - and for me to only recently see that the children’s play equipment has a giant compass pictured on it which felt like a real confirmation on a prayer walk that we’re working in the area where God wants us.’
You can find out more at www.facebook.com/compassprojectportsmouth
