Gospel in action in High Wycombe

I arrived at High Wycombe station this morning and was met by Peter Hancock, Chair of the Northampton District, who took me to Wesley Methodist Church which is in the centre of town. I was given coffee and then had the chance to chat with people who were there for the regular Saturday coffee morning. Yesterday night this had been the town church offering night shelter for the homeless. A group of volnteers came in to cook a meal and then some stayed through the night and served breakfast in the morning. This work is shared by the other churches in the town so that shelter and food are offered each night.

Wesley Methodist Church

 There is also a food bank based here and, like so many others it has been increasingly needed over the last year. Deacon Ruth Richey told me that in the year ending December 2012 the total number of food parcels issued by all the distribution points across the town was 672. In the year ending December 2013,  2012 parcels were issued. Everywhere I go I am being told the same story of a rapidly increasing number of people suffering the effects of 'austerity' policies - thank God for those who are willing to help and we must not stop challenging policies that are causing people to suffer poverty.

Wesley Church serves the community in many ways, its situation near the town centre helps but the key thing is the recognition of the people here of the imperative to share the love of Christ.

I spent the rest of the day with Deacon Ruth and she took me into the town centre to talk about the work she is doing here. Ruth is a member of the town centre chaplaincy team and regularly visits the businesses in the town centre. We went into one shop where Ruth wanted to talk with the owner and it was very clear that she has built up a supportive and trusting relationship.

Deacon Ruth Richey ouside the shop we visited together

Recently closed

Internet as the way forward

As we walked through the town the difficulties being faced by many businesses were obvious. Some are closing in order to estabish a web-based business, others are simply closing.

This delicatessen and health food shop has recently closed and in the shopping centre there were several shops boarded up.

Wycombe Homelessness Connection

Ruth works alongside several partners in the town including Wycombe Homeless connection which is a Christian charity.. This is their centre which is leased from All Saints Church.

Ruth told me about her work with Wycombe Womens Aid which offers safe accommodation and assistance for women who are victims of domestic abuse. An outreach service is also run by this group and, as part of that, Ruth runs sessions called 'Open Door' in which women support one another in the context of the Christian gospel. Ruth has also responded to a need to care for women who are caught up in various aspects of the sex trade including those working on the streets and in clubs.

Ruth's work in all these areas and the involvement of other Christians has led to an increasing respect for the churches and the Christian faith and a willinness from local groups to workwith the churches.

This is the gospel in action.

Deacon Ruth Richey