LIGHTHOUSE

I took these pictures because they reflect the level of activity and busyness around the Lighthouse these days. This week like so many weeks, has been exceptionally busy in terms of the cafe - people queuing for tables according to Michelle!

It may seem strange then that we have decided to close the cafe for the week leading up to Easter, when everything is so busy. It certainly isn't our preferred course of action, but in reality the level of demand is so high, and our current base of staff and volunteers is so small in comparison, (and staff need holidays too!) that we don't think we have enough people to run it. I stepped into the breach last Easter along with Shona, and I can testify to how stressful it was trying to cope with a skeleton base of volunteers.

Our the last 30 months, the Lighthouse has grown out of all recognition from where it began, and it's our aim that this kind of development will continue. In relation to Easter, it is now a specific goal, that in 2012 we will be open for the entire week, with a programme of activities for the local community.

PLEASE ALERT ANY ONE WHO YOU THINK MAY BE INTERESTED TO THE JOB ADVERT BELOW.

LIGHTHOUSE STAFF REQUIRED

Café Assistant Light House Cafe Salary £7.00 per hour, 34 hours per week

We are looking for an enthusiastic individual to join the existing team within the Light House cafe, to help us provide a quality cafe service. The Light House is located in the heart of the community of Hilton and is part of Hilton Parish Church.

In addition to providing high quality, good value meals for customers it offers facilities and catering for specific events. In this role your responsibilities will include preparing and serving food, keeping the kitchen area clean and hygienic, receiving cash takings, washing down tables in the cafe area and generally maintaining the whole cafe clean and in line with Health and Safety legislation.

In the absence of the café manager you will also be responsible for maintaining stock control and supervising staff and volunteers as well as managing event bookings. Previous experience of a similar role would be advantageous but equally important to the role is your ability to work flexibly as part of team to deliver high quality customer service.

The hours of work will be 8.30am to 4.00pm Tuesday to Friday and 10:30am to 4.00pm Saturday. These will be subject to review after 8 weeks to ensure they are in line with customer demand Application forms and further details are available from the Light House Café Manager Michelle Hamill 01463 224477 Closing date for receipt of applications is 26/04/2001

garden

A very wet day here, so not too much progress in the garden.

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the gospel according to VAN MORRISON

I occasionally take a look at Steve Stockman's blog. Here's a fascinating post on Van Morrison.

care home kids

In the back of my mind today has been a harrowing programme last night in which the actor Neil Morrisey shared his experiences of being put in a care home at the age of 10. (in 1973) Tens of thousands of children in the UK depend on the State for care. Some of the statistics and stories from last night's programme were nothing short of distressing. You can watch the programme here.

lighthouse

Dot Walker has transformed the downstairs room in the Lighthouse over the past few weeks.

garden

awesome

living below the line

what colour?

what colour is

sorrow?
crying?
radical love?
anger?
compassion?


and how would you describe the reality of sin, in a way which our contemporary society can understand?

Steve Taylor at sustain:if:able kiwi is in great form these days. Quite a few of the blogs contain information about their rating. For me, sustain:if:able kiwi is number 1!

earth hour 2011

garden

first follower

I love it!

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water

Water is a major focus in our lectionary readings this Sunday - John 4 & Exodus 17. I've been doing a bit of background research on water and came across these rather startling statistics from wateraid. The image is of a water truck in a shanty town on the out skirts of Lima. Shanty town dwellers spend a third of their income on purchasing clean water.

A day in the life of hilton church!

I was struck tonight by just how much is going on around Hilton Church these days. This morning TIME OUT was on. This group offers a variety of craft activities, not to mention hot drinks and delicious cakes.The "icing on the cake" is a free creche so that parents can have a "time out!" I was in the Lighthouse at lunchtime, and it was full to capacity with people of all ages enjoying lunch. At 2pm, I dropped into the 60 plus group sharing teas/coffees and cakes in the sanctuary, as well as taking a trip down memory lane. (more of that in a future blog). A walk into the back garden, and there was Colin, Ben and the joiner working hard on what is going to be an amazing new space. This evening, I had a meeting in the Lighthouse, and had a chat with the team who were preparing the food for the alpha course beginning at 7pm. Last but not least, I then found myself directing traffic towards the Street Pastors Introductory night in the Church. And I haven't even mentioned Dot Walker working away on a mural in the cafe. On a wider scale I'm also struck by the fact that there is a much higher level of demand for the use of our buildings from all quarters these days. I'm not sure exactly what the reason is for this. One possibility is that a much greater number of people are connecting with the area via the Lighthouse and its facilities, and on a quite a number of occasions this has led to the church being used as a venue.

garden