@
Crypt
Leeds
St George’s
Crypt
Christmas Issue 2016
St George’s Crypt 2016
Christmas Appeal Special
Welcome
to your Christmas
Newsletter
“The hopes and fears of all the years
are met in Thee tonight...”
Hi everyone and welcome to our
Christmas newsletter. I think this issue
is one of the hardest to put together as
life at the Crypt can be bittersweet, and
what is great for some is not always
great for others.
This is one of the reasons I chose the
theme.
It’s so easy to be the “oracle,” “the font
of all knowledge,” and to know what’s
best for everyone. We are all guilty of it
at some time; it’s a default we all have.
The hard bit is getting it right when it is
appropriate to do so, and knowing when
to keep your counsel.
We see thousands of people come
through the doors every year. Some
are new to us, some are seen every
now and again, and some are ‘season
ticket holders.’ Each and every one of
them has hopes and fears which are
sometimes hidden or purposely locked
away. Anyone who has attempted
to wrestle with an oyster knows how
difficult it is to convince it to open and
share both in itself and in its gift of a
pearl. That’s what it’s like on a daily
basis.
Some hopes are too outrageous to
Chris Fields
Chief Executive Officer
hope for… Or are they? And some
fears are best kept hidden and private…
Or are they?
There are two sides to everything. In
The Water Babies there’s a character
called Mrs Doasyouwouldbedoneby.
If we lived by that, think how lovely it
would be when someone is being nice
to us, and how awful it would be if they,
in turn, were being cruel or vindictive.
As cruel as it sounds, that’s the tit-for-tat
life many lead.
Many, if not all, of our brothers and
sisters are harbouring hopes and fears
that they find difficult to express for
many a good reason.
We pray. That’s our way of expressing
and sharing, allowing God to help
in all of it. If we can share that gift
through living the Gospels, or prayer
and worship at the Lighthouse, that’s a
first step in allowing an openness and
trust in sharing hopes they cling to,
or fears they simply want someone to
take away. That way ‘they’ become ‘we’
and the fears are ‘unlocked,’ enabling
healing and trust.
In the years B.C., the oppressed and
fearful prayed for a Messiah, a leader
strong and powerful, battle-ready and
up for a fight. What they (we) received
was a defenceless baby, totally
dependent on his mother and father,
who needed nourishment, protection,
teaching and nurturing. Once all of that
was done, he was ready to accept the
future.
We nourish, we protect, we teach
and we nurture, and in doing so we
empower and help in the accepting of
a future which can be managed on a
day-to-day basis. Believe you me, it’s
a long and difficult path, but one that
leads to such wonders and joy.
The first real spoken message of
Christmas was from an angel: “Do not
be afraid.” If we can hold onto that and
know that everyone is loved beyond
measure, and loved without question,
then and only then can our brothers,
sisters, and indeed ourselves, be ready
to share the hopes and fears of all the
years which meet in HIM tonight.
May God bless us all at this time, and
we truly wish you a wonder-filled and
peaceful Christmas.
Dates for your diary
Saturday 3rd December
Murder Mystery Night - All at Sea.
A delicious three course meal and a
whodunnit mystery to solve!
Tickets £30
2
Saturday 10th
December
An evening concert at St. Anne’s
Cathedral with the Leeds Male Voice
Choir, along with interval refreshments
Tuesday 13th December
Christmas Carol Concert: The
Chamber Choir of St. Aidan’s Church
of England High School perform at St.
George’s Church. Doors open at 12
noon.
Summit worthwhile
for the Crypt
During the period 1st July to 30th
September 2016:
79
Number of service users taking part
in Training and Engagement each
month.
Faith Lodge’s Yvette Adams
undertook a daring expedition
across the Himalayas in October.
Aiming to raise money for the
Crypt’s ongoing work, Yvette
began her adventure in Nepal on
the 15th, spurred on by the work
she had previously witnessed and
participated in.
“I have worked at St. George’s Crypt
for over four years, initially as a
volunteer and on the staff as a support
worker since 2014,” she said. “St.
George’s Crypt has been caring for the
homeless and vulnerable for over 85
years. It provides shelter, compassion
and support for hundreds of men and
women when they have nothing else in
their lives… It’s fantastic to see a client
progress and move on to their own flat
and employment!”
Although Yvette’s Himalayan trek
has now been completed, she is still
collecting donations. Anybody wishing
to sponsor her can do so on this
page: https://www.justgiving.com/
fundraising/yvette-Adams5
Titled All at Sea, the interactive
drama will be performed by The
Emley Players, as they present a
gripping ‘whodunnit’ set on a modernday cruise ship. The event will also
incorporate a three-course meal
provided by Nurture, alongside a
licensed bar to add to the cruise-liner
ambience!
Individuals accommodated.
1,076
Hours of engagement activities
provided.
3,257
Lunchtime meals served at our Care
Centre - averaging 53 a day.
A killer night out
This Christmas, the St George’s
Centre will be hosting a Murder
Mystery Evening to raise money for
the Crypt.
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Guests, meanwhile, are invited to
attend in fancy dress if they so desire,
with posh frocks, Hawaiian shirts and
‘Captain’s table’ clothes being on the
list of suggestions.
Tickets are currently available from
St George’s Crypt at a cost of £30
each, or £250 for a table of 10, if
booked and paid for at the same time.
All at Sea takes place on Saturday
3rd December at 7pm, for a prompt
7:30pm start.
329
Adults (including expectant mothers
and independent under 18s)
supported with food parcels.
223
Children supported with food parcels.
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Daz
Daz first encountered Lighthouse
during his stay at St George’s
Crypt in January 2014.
He accepted the invitation to join the
second ever Lighthouse gathering
in the Crypt canteen over Sunday
lunchtime, and openly asked for
prayer and practical support to break
away from his life of crime, chaos and
addiction.
Shortly after, due to a previous
offence, Daz was arrested and sent
to prison but Lighthouse did not forget
him.
“There was always someone to talk
to on the other end of the phone,” he
said. “Emails from Jon, visits from
Hannah and Jon, etc. I came straight
from prison to Leeds, was met off the
bus and then driven to Betel to begin
my path to recovery.”
With the generous help of our valued
volunteers, we were able to send Daz
to a Betel UK centre for residential
Christian rehabilitation.
Now, two years on, Daz is drug-free,
back in Leeds, in a stable relationship,
and serves and blesses others at
Lighthouse.
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Let your light shine before others
Two and a half years ago
Lighthouse, a fresh expression of
church, was launched in partnership
with St. George’s Crypt, the Diocese
of Leeds and St George’s Church.
Since then, this community of men
and women who have been battered
and bruised by the storms of life - the
majority of whom previously had little
or no involvement in church - has seen
significant growth. Over 40 men and
women have confessed Jesus as their
saviour, been baptised, and have been
actively encouraged to walk a path
of discipleship. The Reverend Roger
Quick, Chaplain at the Crypt, is a core
team member involved in leading this
special ministry. On its launch he
commented, “It is wonderful that so
many on the margins of our society whom Jesus especially loves - should
have their own informal place to share
the Gospel in their own way.”
Lighthouse Mission Priest Reverend
Jon Swales, who heads up the team
of pastors and committed volunteers,
said, “Each Sunday we gather in the
Crypt Assisi café to worship Jesus,
hear a short talk, sing together, pray
and share a community meal together.
The presence of God is tangible and
lives are being changed. We sometimes
welcome over 100 for these gatherings,
and most of the time you could
hear a pin drop due to the reverent
engagement from our guests.
“16 months ago Geery lived in a car
park, injecting heroin and living in chaos
and crime. Geery found Lighthouse
and received love, practical help, prayer
and heard the Gospel. Since then,
Geery has walked heroin-free, found
life in Jesus, been baptised and now
contributes to Lighthouse and wider
society. He has recently begun our
Academy Discipleship School.”
Alongside the Sunday gatherings,
Lighthouse holds a mid-week dropin and Bible study with over 20 who
participate in the Bible study and
pray for each other. It is a delight to
witness those broken by life opening
up the Bible and encouraging each
other to turn from chaos into the way,
truth and life of Jesus. Through home
visits, small groups and the recentlylaunched Lighthouse Academy, we offer
pastoral care, mentoring and volunteer
opportunities. Since January 2014,
Lighthouse has served to signpost,
help with the application process and
transportation of approximately 50 men
and women into Christian residential
communities such as Betel UK, Remar
and Teen Challenge.
For more information, visit www.
lighthousewestyorkshire.
org.uk or email hello@
lighthousewestyorkshire.org.uk.
You can bank on our help!
Do you know what was happening on Sunday 5th September 1976?
Well, Abba were riding high in the charts with Dancing Queen, a
gallon of petrol would have cost you the princely sum of 76p, and
the average house price was £12,704. In a quiet suburb in Leeds,
a chap called Edwin W Ashton JP was bestowed with the honour
of officially opening Regent Terrace for St. George’s Crypt. For 40
years, this building has provided shelter, care, nurture and love to
those most battered by life’s storms. It has been a safe haven for so
many souls and it continues to provide exceptional care and support
to this very day.
How did we choose to celebrate
this auspicious occasion? Well, a
lovely group of friends came along
from Santander and helped us
renovate our lounge, (or ‘dry room.’)
They scrubbed and sanded, primed
and painted, rollered and sweated,
huffed and puffed, laughed
and munched and left us with a
transformed space - a vision of calm
in shades of soft grey and lavender.
Not content with transforming one
room, they then headed off into the
laundry and freezer rooms to work
their magic in there.
Afterwards, they decided to give our
flowerbeds a good autumn weeding
as well… There was no stopping
them! But they left us with so much
more than painted walls; they left
us with a real feeling of being loved,
cherished and appreciated. It seems
we had a bit of an effect on them,
too.
“Having spent a day at Regent
Terrace, it was a real eye-opener to
see all the help and support that is
offered in our community and how
lucky it made me feel,” said Jackie,
one of the volunteers. “Their work
is amazing and it was great to be a
part of it, even if it was just for one
day.”
In addition, another volunteer, Mike,
commented: “I was amazed by the
work being carried out at the Crypt
and Regent Terrace, especially by
the number of hours being put in on
a weekly basis. I could not believe
the low budget they had per resident
and what they are able to achieve
with this. We were welcomed by
both staff and residents alike, and
this reflects what a great place
St. George’s Crypt is and how it
provides the much-needed support.”
Our thanks and blessings go out
to Carley Hayburn and her team:
Donna Marrison, Chris Jopson,
Daniel Graham, Sean Coffey,
Thomas Court, Mike Lloyd, Andy
Lunn, Carly Hayburn, Jackie Firth,
Jo Elliot, Claire Jones and Emma
Gregson.
Lettuce lend a
hand...
Over the Summer, our lovely
friends from the June Project
brought along a chap called
Ben Webber who is rather good
with hammers and saws; he is,
after all, the proprietor of Ben
Webber Joinery! Ben very kindly
helped a couple of our Regent
Terrace residents by building a
raised bed for the garden. This
kind of community engagement
can be life-changing for clients,
and reminds them about all the
great things that they are capable
of. I think it is fair to say that
everyone involved had a great
time! Between them, they not
only designed the raised bed, but
built it, painted it and planted it,
all within 48 hours. We are now,
quite literally, enjoying the harvest
of their labours… in carrot and
lettuce form.
A most entertaining
evening
In September, the Crypt hosted
An Evening Entertaining Angels
at the St. George’s Centre,
giving members of the public an
opportunity to come and hear,
first-hand, the stories of those
service users whose lives have
been transformed. Following an
introductory speech from Chris
Fields, guests were shown a
series of short films featuring the
Crypt’s former clients, as they
described the circumstances
that led to their lives being turned
around. This was followed by
on-stage speeches with head
Nurture chef David Pilling and
fellow caterer Mark, together
with a dramatic reading from
the Director of Development
Martin Patterson, who delivered
passages from the new book
Entertaining More Angels.
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Christmas
@ the Crypt
As I said in my piece, Christmas at the Crypt can
be a “bitter-sweet” experience for some.
Although this has to be dealt with sensitively and
with great care, the season really is celebrated by
everyone here.
This year is going to be busier than ever! Due to
Christmas falling on a weekend it looks like we are
the only people delivering a service on every day.
This will mean many of our staff working over the
holidays and making sacrifices in order to serve.
Chris Fields
Kim, Mike and their volunteers will
have been sorting, wrapping and
secreting presents to be handed out
to everyone on Christmas morning,
plus a few spare for those finding
themselves homeless beyond
Christmas Day.
Tara, our Volunteer Co-ordinator,
has been phoning and interviewing
steadily in order to make sure we
have enough people on-site to help
with anything that needs doing.
(Clean bedding, food and toilets wait
for no man!)
6
David and his kitchen team will have been chopping, peeling, slicing and preparing hundreds of meals to serve three
times a day.
Chris usually has the “chocolate mountain”
safely stored in his office, (not because
I like it but it’s the coldest office EVER!
Chris.) all for stockings and strewing
over the beautifully decorated tables on
Christmas day.
Marie, Mary and Gordon will have got their teams in the hostels all primed to ensure the ‘bitter-sweet’ experience
of missing family and loved ones doesn’t spoil the hostels’ usual close and family feel. Plus pressies, chocolate and
laden tables.
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Luke
and the duty team
Roger
Fundraising
Luke on Reception - his first! Oh boy! - thinks he
is ready for the wonderful donations which arrive
by the hundreds. (Can’t wait to see his face on
Christmas Eve. May have to offer some help for
his first one! Chris.)
Roger will have told the Nativity story more than
a couple of times and will be looking forward to
Easter.
Cheryl and the fundraising team will be in a heap
and crawling home following all the stuff that goes
on leading up to Christmas.
88
Ian and the driving gang will have visited a thousand and one places to collect and deliver food, clothes and
goodies all over Leeds.
So what does it all mean? Yes, we are thoroughly
pooped. Yes, we are ready for a rest. But what does
it really mean?
If I can quickly put it into words, which to be honest
will do no justice to the outcomes...
Thousands of kids all over Leeds will have toys,
given by you, collected by us and given out by local
churches.
All of our residents will have full bellies, a sense of
safety and peace, a warm bed and clean sheets,
clean clothes and hot showers.
All of this is thanks to you: our donors and
supporters. Without your amazing and never-failing
generosity we could never do all this in the name of
Emmanuel, God with us.
May He be with us in spirit, may He be with us in
love and may He be with us in our celebrations.
When the song of the Angels is stilled
And the star in the sky has gone
When the kings and princes are home
Everyone will have heard the ‘greatest story ever
told’ and will have been involved in some sort of
worship, and given thanks for our blessings.
And the shepherds are back with their flocks,
Volunteers will have experienced the Crypt for the
first time and their lives will never be the same
again.
To find the lost
The police, hospitals and housing staff will have
peace of mind knowing there is always somewhere
for someone to go.
We will all have had a five day period of ups and
downs, heating and lights, washing machines and
cookers, all on the go 24 hours a day.
The work of Christmas begins.
To heal the broken
To feed the hungry
To release the prisoner
To rebuild and bring peace to the nations and to put
music in our hearts.
9
A Starr-studded performance...
21 people from Regent Terrace, Faith Lodge
and the Crypt took a trip to Killingbeck
Fields in the Autumn, in order to experience
the amazing Circus Starr, which is also a
charitable organisation.
Nine members of the group had never been to
the circus before, and were able to witness a
spectacular array of acts including an acrobatics
troupe from Morocco. The group were on the edge
of their seats throughout the death-defying stunts,
and it is clear from speaking to the clients that
they were pleasantly surprised at how enjoyable
it had been. “It was a first for me it was and it was
amazing,” said one individual. “It wasn’t what I
thought it would be and I really enjoyed it.” Another
client added: “The acrobatics could have been in
the Olympics, and the music was brilliant!” A big
thank you to Circus Starr for providing us with this
fantastic opportunity!
And a Marrick time was had by all
Growing Rooms’ annual trip to Marrick Priory took
place in September, with a total of five clients and
two staff in attendance.
Everyone participated in lots of exciting activities,
including canoeing, caving, and climbing. All of the
guys commented that they had a wonderful time, with
Matty describing the cave as “a beautiful experience.”
Stuart added: “It was enjoyable and enlightening,
overcoming new challenges and meeting different
people, all without the use of drugs and alcohol.”
Another client, Scott, remarked: “All the Marrick staff
were lovely and helpful people with whom I managed to
form an excellent bond.”
Another attendee, Steve, also wrote a poem about his
experience in the cave…
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At the end of the cave was a black hole,
Dirty and mucky like a piece of coal,
We addicts sat and it felt right,
All together with no light.
I was at peace, I felt real calm,
All as one, I felt I’d come to no harm.
All of us together felt so right,
No danger to come with one chink of light.
Chaplain’s Corner
For me personally, it is wonderful
to be back here after long months
of illness; it was humbling to
know that I was surrounded
by the prayers of friends at the
Crypt.
When I was ill, I hoped to be well
again; but how quickly that gift of
health gets taken for granted. We
have so much we can be thankful
for. Instead we find ourselves
hoping for something more,
something different; or we are
fearful of what we might lose.
A spirit of thankfulness puts
all our fears, all our hopes, into
perspective.
In our dark streets the everlasting
light still shines:
The hopes and fears of all the
years are met in thee tonight.
‘When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.’
Matthew 2:10
Sunday
We thank God for the gift of life, for
the shared life of the Crypt, for the
opportunity to do good, and share
God’s good grace with our clients.
Monday
We offer to God all our hopes for
the future – great and small, praying
Your will be done.
Tuesday
We give God all our fears, trusting
that His perfect love turns everything
to good.
Wednesday
We pray for our guests who struggle
with addiction, that all their hurt may
be healed. Especially we pray for
our hostels: Faith Lodge and Regent
Christmas Appeal
Terrace, and our much loved clients,
that they may find Jesus’ peace this
Christmas.
Thursday
We pray for all who come to the
Crypt suffering as a result of
damaging relationships, that they
may find hope.
Friday
We pray for all suffering mental
illness, that they may find peace.
Many of our guys have underlying
mental health issues so your prayers
are very much appreciated.
Saturday
We pray for all the Crypt’s work;
especially on Saturdays for our
shops and cafes.
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Please claim Gift Aid on all donations I have made within the past four years of this date
and all donations I make in the future. I am a UK taxpayer and understand that if I pay
less Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax than the amount of Gift Aid clained on all my
donations in that tax year it is my responsibility to pay any difference. I understand the
charity will reclaim 25p of tax on every £1 that I give on or after the date signed below, or
in the preceding 4 years.
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Please let us know if your address or your tax circumstances change.
Please send me information on supporting St George’s Crypt with a gift in my will.
(Post your completed form to: St George’s Crypt, Great George Street, Leeds LS1 3BR)
11
Reverse Advent
“What is reverse Advent?” I hear you ask. Well
it’s an idea that some charities, including us,
are trying for the first time this year.
Instead of opening a picture on your calendar
and taking a piece of wickedly fattening and sinful
chocolate, (oh no it’s not! Ed.) you put something
into a box to give to a charity that needs listed items.
The idea for us was to ask people to put nonperishable items such as toilet rolls, jars of coffee,
soap powder, postage stamps, new socks and
underwear into a box for every day of Advent, and
then donate for us to give out over the winter period.
If you are doing this already, thank you!
If you are not, why not give it a try? Our residents
would be really grateful.
Happy Christmas!
If we send more than one copy of our newsletter to your address, please let us know and help us to reduce our mailing costs.
If you would prefer to receive by email please provide your email address to: [email protected]
St George's Crypt, Great George Street,
Leeds LS1 3BR.
Telephone: 0113 245 9061
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
www.stgeorgescrypt.org.uk
St George’s
Crypt
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'St George's Crypt, Leeds'
@CryptLeeds
Registered charity: 1144474 Registered company: 07780402