We have now entered the season of advent, a time when we count down to the birth of Jesus and a celebration of his arrival into the world. As will be well told in school plays over the next few weeks, Jesus’ birth came not in splendour and opulent surroundings rather it was in an animal shed –‘because there was no room for them in the Inn’.
Advent for YMCALSW also commences the count down towards a new project, the very first Winter Night Shelter in Merton. Facilitated by the YMCA and delivered by churches across the Borough of Merton the shelter is a chance to provide a warm and safe environment for those who have been turned away from their very own ‘Inns’. We are excited about seeing over 150 people offer to be involved in this new, pilot scheme, excited that 7 churches have been willing to be used during this winter and most importantly we are excited that we can allow something good to happen, bringing people off the streets in the cold and dark winter nights.
There are a number of things that are yet to be sorted out for the night shelter, a whole range of practicalities that will be needed to be organised however we are sure that this small, seemingly insignificant project will come to have a huge impact on the churches and the communities across Merton