Written by Alex Crane, Students and Outreach Intern

Serving those in need is at the beating heart of what it means to be a follower of Jesus. Despite the changes that the coronavirus pandemic has brought about, there are many ways in which we can still serve people and God through St Nic’s in the City. St Nic’s in the City is a structure which provides clear and supported ways for members of St Nic’s to love our neighbours in Nottingham in a very practical way through volunteering. Here are five ways that you can get involved right now!

Teach English

One of the ways in which you can help is through the St Nic’s English classes. The classes are available for people who do not speak English as their native language. There are three classes available, for people at different stages of comprehension, that run for an hour every Monday on Zoom. If you would like to help in the running of the classes, you would meet with two experienced leaders half an hour before the lesson and start by getting a feel for how the classes are run. Over time you would be free to take on more leadership responsibilities if you felt comfortable in doing so.

Befriend a Refugee

If you feel particularly drawn to loving refugees and asylum seekers in our city, there is an opportunity available to regularly chat to them and develop a bond. There are lots of families of refugees living near St Nic’s who have been in contact with our refugee support worker, Ellie. As well as this, Hope into Action, one of the St Nic’s in the City partners, are housing people who would otherwise struggle to find housing, some of whom would also really enjoy conversations with members of our church. At the moment, it is not advised to meet others face-to-face, but some of the refugees and Hope into Action tenants are seeking connection through phone calls. If you are interested in calling it would be greatly appreciated!

Campaign for Justice

Another St Nic’s in the City partner that you could get involved with right now is Nottingham Citizens. Nottingham Citizens is an alliance of over 30 groups, such as faith groups, charities and schools, that work together to make Nottingham a better place to live. Nottingham Citizens hold listening events throughout the year and are currently focusing their action on racial injustice, mental health, and fair work and wages. St Nic’s has a Citizens core team, if you are interested in the work of Nottingham Citizens, you can be welcomed into this team to engage with the city-wide collaboration and action.

Donate Essentials

If would like to donate supplies for those in need, Welcome Boxes and Emmanuel House are two St Nic’s in the City partners that can help you do that. Emmanuel House is a charity which is receiving clothing donations and food donations for their service users and charity shop. Welcome Boxes are welcoming donations of toiletries, stationery and chocolate. Please consider what you have to give, or what you could buy for those who have less.

Pray

And finally, please pray for each of these initiatives! Through prayer we are welcoming God to work in whatever it is that we are praying for. Many of the St Nic’s in the City partners exist ultimately because God is deeply pained by the suffering in the world and we share in that pain. There is injustice. Out of love, those supporting St Nic’s in the City partners are choosing to help those facing injustice and provoke change. I believe that it is part of our calling as Christians to share love with others, as God has so graciously shared His love with us.

If you are interested in being more involved with any of the St Nic’s in the City partners, or have any questions, please email alex@stnics.org.