Hope, Two Years On

Another year has passed since we were in the first lockdown of the Covid-19 pandemic. Though to many the pandemic is a thing of the past, and many really don’t think masks or social distancing is a thing even in enclosed spaces like the tube, there are still people who aren’t yet ready to relax just yet. I for one am grateful for a bit of normalcy, especially where I can take my toddler who basically knew nothing but our 4 walls for the majority of her life, out and about to… Read More

One Year On – How we marked the lockdown anniversary

Yesterday was one year since the beginning of the first lockdown began. Up and down the country people engaged with a National Day of Reflection instigation by Marie Curie. Here at Barking Riverside we joined together online in the evening as people of different faiths and none to spend a time of reflection and hope. At the centre of that evening was a video of a Tree of Hope planted in the Community Garden near Swan Lake. Experience the Online Service here and the shorter Tree Planting Video here. Personally, I found… Read More

Nominate a Neighbour – Marking 1 Year of Lockdown

Photo by Shay on Unsplash

A little help with the deeper things…loss, prayer, and big questions.

Beyond doubt, one of the best things to come out of these last challenging months, has been seeing people stepping up to love, care for, and help those around them. There’s a host of practical support on offer and we’ve gathered what we know of locally on our Covid-19: Community Help & Support page. But what about the deeper things? Especially as the months drag on, the cases increase, and more of us are experiencing the pain and fatigue of this time and this virus. Even if you personally are feeling fine,… Read More

Weathering the Storm – how we’re doing it together with Jesus

We’re in a really challenging time. But we do have hope. And we can walk this together, with Jesus. Here’s how we’re doing it.

Here we go again…but where?

De ja vu anyone?  So it’s another lockdown.  How did you feel when you first heard that announcement?  Fear?  Frustration?  Deflated? Thankful that something is being done? Or something else? I’ve got to admit, when I first heard the news I just felt tired.  Tired of trying to keep up with what we can and can’t do, of countless conversations about what’s going on or not, at the thought of not seeing people yet again, at the thought of the pain and struggle for so many people who I want to help… Read More

Caring For Your Mind, Body & Heart

Following on from our post last week, we wanted to delve deeper into the simple things we can do to connect with God during these unprecedented times of 2020. These ideas are to help us keep living, to not only survive but to thrive. And we can do it together, despite living in isolation. The hope is that we will each carve out the time to connect with God and focus on the things He has laid out in front of us that needs our attention, things we should be spending our… Read More

Find Your Happy Place This Summer

“Be still, and know that I am God…” Psalm 46:10 We’re always in a hurry. Pre-lockdown it was balancing the commute, work, family, friends and that healthy lifestyle we swore we’d stick to at New Years. Now, since Covid-19 it’s worrying about cooking 3 meals a day, keeping the kids entertained during the summer holidays, work, keeping in touch with friends and family as well as trying to keep active. All of this coupled with the anxieties and heaviness of a Global Pandemic and its impacts on our lives, financial or otherwise,… Read More

What we all need. Everyday.

Hope does not immediately change the situation, but hope does immediately change us in that situation. That is why encouragement is one of the greatest gifts we can give each other.

Caring for your Heart, Body, and Mind

Ideas for how to thrive in isolation, caring for our Heart, Body and Mind, with Jesus at the center.

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