Singing for my local parish church

During the Christmas, I volunteered to sing for my local Church of England parish Church at their Carol of 9 Lessons. It was a very beautiful experience.

As a non-christian but a Jesus follower, you may wonder why I attend churches – or religious places – a lot. But my main focus and appeal, is seeing people come together and foster communual friendship and be of support to one another. Hence I volunteer at another local parish church in Mitcham as the Amateur Choirmaster and Junior Church leader for the past 3 years. So I go to Church every Sunday… and robe as a chorister too.

So having volunteered for Christmas carol at my own local church, I was asked if I could help sing at their once-a-month Evensong; they desperately need a tenor voice. I obliged. By the way, I love original Anglican Sung services.

The first was on the 3rd of January 2016, I kept my word and went along. At that service, the following beautiful sermon was given by the Licensed Lay Minister. It’s not the religious aspects that appeal to me, but the engagement and narratives, of the humility and undemanding nature of the characters; mainly, Mary the mother of Jesus… I wish many Christians would learn to do the same. But then, that is why I am not a Christian as it has become more about institution, reputation and power instead of service, love and support. Hope you find the sermon useful, no matter your belief… I have carefully coloured my best bits

“Sermon Evensong 3 January 2016 – John 2 1-11”

“It is all too tempting to use prayer to dictate to God or present him with a wish list.”

Christmas volunteering…

This Christmas I returned to volunteer for Crisis at Christmas for my 8th year. Once again, it was a reviving and humbling experience.

I did my last shift on the 28th December. Once again, I know that my tears cannot solve any problem; but I sensed and saw the value of a hug, the dignity of a respectful handshake, the dignifying impact of listening and of course, the satisfaction of a warm shower, a hot meal and a heated space to sit down in even if for that fleeting moment.

Can you make a difference?

Please Click on the image to read.

This is a poem about HIV ignorance in the general population written exceptionally as a workshop material for training HIV activists on ‘Alternative Advocacy’. Alternative Advocacy focuses on bringing tools that are usually neglected in activism, especially in the HIV struggle, to build on engaging those who may not be interested in the conventional campaign, services and atimes, demonstration/protest approach, but using arts like poems, etc.

You are welcome to use it for non-commercial activities only with credits to the writer as the only requirements. You do not need to obtain permission except for commercial uses.

 

 

 

 

Written by by Godwyns Onwuchekwa for UKCAB skills training 2014.

Fundraising For British School Of Osteopathy

In August, I will cycle 1000 miles from the south tip of England (Lands End) to the north tip if Scotland (John O’Groats) to help raise fund for the British School of Osteopathy (BSO).

Donate here: http://www.bmycharity.com/godwyns4BSO

The BSO provides  evidence-informed best practice healthcare to the community and seeks to provide our students with the  highest quality osteopathic education programmes to enable them to  develop into patient-centred practitioners equipped to deal with the  challenges of the modern healthcare arena.

Lands End to John O’Groats – Final Day

www.bmycharity.com/godwyns4BSO

Finally the last day arrived; a day earlier than planned. So I was in high spirit and looking to do what I thought was a shorter distance compared to the preceeding 5 days.

Off I went, leaving Alness behind, I moved at a very good pace for the first 15miles, then the downward spiral started.