Entertaining

ENTERTAINMENT EVENINGS

PHOTO GALLERY

Some first-time volunteers assume that they will be required to perform a song-and-dance routine for this area of service! Whilst we do indeed sometimes put on various forms of entertainment, the idea here is rather one of entertaining guests at home. So, we try to create a homely atmosphere and to treat every person who comes through the door as an honoured guest. For people who often feel "unpersoned", this is a very affirming - and, occasionally, emotional - experience.

There is a very special atmosphere at these evenings, and even committed atheists have admitted to having been touched by a Presence they cannot explain.

Every Saturday, one of four teams will start arriving at the All Souls Clubhouse from 5.00 pm onwards. By 5.30 we are in full swing, some volunteers preparing the meal, whilst others set out and lay the tables.

At 6.15 pm, we take a break to pray together and to commit the evening to the Lord. At 6.30 pm, we start to let our guests in - even though invited for 7.00 pm, people will start arriving at the door from 6.00 pm onwards. Each guest is welcomed, and offered a drink and some nuts or crisps. At 7.15 pm, we start serving the food. This is delivered to the tables by the volunteers designated as "table servers" for that evening, and they then sit down to eat and chat with our guests.

We aim to finish eating by 8.00 pm (7.45 pm on video evenings), after which people can play games like Scrabble and draughts, or just relax and chat. Two evenings in seven are video evenings, where guests can view big-screen videos with surround sound in the upper room of the Clubhouse.

At 9.00 pm (9.30 pm on video evenings) we politely start asking people to leave, and start clearing the tables and cleaning the floor. As the last guests reluctantly trickle out into the night, we finish off by cleaning the kitchen and the toilets, before popping into the pub next door for a well-earned drink.

We also have four all-day coach trips a year (one for each team), and four 3-course dinners at All Souls Church (one of which is our hugely popular Christmas dinner).

These events mean a great deal to people who are often lonely and rejected, and who never get invited out anywhere. For us volunteers, there is an opportunity to get to know people better. People who often have amazing stories to tell - some funny, some sad, some shocking. We feel privileged to have been called to serve in this rewarding - and often, very moving - area of God's work.

Entertainment 04 E

The kitchen staff dispensing food to the table servers

And the view from the other side of the hatch - table servers collecting food

Food being served to our guests

For what we are about to receive ....!

One of our teams on their annual coach trip to a stately home

Christmas spirit 2001

WANT TO READ MORE?

You can read Raymond Robertson's article on Page 2 of ASLAN News 2002 (All Aboard!) or Chris Peacock's article on Page 6 of ASLAN News 2002 (A Time of Goodwill?) or Andy Rider's article on Page 6 of ASLAN News 2003 (Feasting in Readiness for the Banquet)

click here for ASLAN News >>

HOW TO VOLUNTEER

Click below to fill in an online application form

click here >>

Or email our Project Administrator

click here to email Fiona >>

Home : Site Map : Contact Us