The Beacon, a church in the Earlham area of Norwich, has been successful in engaging with the local community through its children and youth work programmes. Since 2014, Lay Pioneer Minister Danny Doran-Smith has developed various programmes for children and youth, as well as fresh expressions of church. As a result, 14 engagement projects have been set up, catering to children from the age of 5 through different clubs, activities, and programmes. Currently, over 250 young people attend these clubs, with strong working relationships being built with local schools and organizations.
In addition to the children and youth work, The Beacon also holds regular activities on Sundays, including All Age Worship services. These services have attracted a growing congregation from the local Earlham area. The church also focuses on community engagement and outreach through its café church programme, which takes place every third week of the month. This programme has included special events such as Easter and Mothering Sunday celebrations, as well as social action weekends, the “Beacon bake off”, and “Beacon’s Got Talent”. These outreach opportunities have seen hundreds of people engage with the church and its activities.
The church also hosts regular prayer events, worship gatherings, and discipleship programmes. It offers women’s events and men’s breakfasts as well. Thanks to grants and donations, the kitchen at St Elizabeth’s has recently been refurbished. Additionally, The Beacon plans to open a community café called The Beacon Café in February. This café will serve as a central space for the community to meet and build relationships. Several individuals from the church will be involved in running the café.
Danny Doran-Smith, the Lay Pioneer Minister, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to connect with the local community. He looks forward to further developing the church’s activities and outreach programmes in the coming years. For more information about the children’s and youth projects happening in Earlham, visit www.enyp.org.uk. A picture of the activities at The Beacon and the newly refurbished café is included.
