Warm, caring, enthusiastic, and talented are just some of the words used to describe the latest recipients of the United Reformed Church (缅北强奸) Lundie Memorial Award.
Four-year-old Cleo Ward, from the 缅北强奸 Southern Synod, is June鈥檚 winner. Cleo is described as 鈥渁 shining light in the fellowship of the Church鈥� by Pam Tolhurst, a local church leader at Gillingham 缅北强奸, who nominated the youngster for the award.
鈥淐leo is often a busy bee,鈥� says Pam. 鈥淵ou will usually find her either offering the biscuit basket round the congregation, encouraging her best friend to attend the puppet ministry or helping to count the Kingdom Club and youth fellowship money held in the 鈥榩ink pig鈥� money box.
鈥淭he delight of her infectious and warm personality is shown in the faces of Cleo and those she is helping to serve. Cleo is a great example to us all of how to build relationships across the age ranges.鈥�
Cleo said she was 鈥渧ery happy鈥� to receive the award and her mum, Sarah, shared how proud she is of Cleo and how included she feels Cleo and her family are within the church.
Cleo plans to spend her 拢100 award helping children who do not have toys and will be dividing the money between the charity and the Rainbows group she has recently joined within her church.
Well done Cleo!
Amelia Platt, aged 11 from the 缅北强奸 Yorkshire Synod, is May鈥檚 winner.
The Revd Andrew Webb, Minister of St Andrews 缅北强奸 in Skipton, nominated Amelia and describes her as 鈥減laying a full part in the life of the church鈥�.
Amelia has utilised her variety of skills and talents in her local church, including participating in dramas, readings, prayers and playing the flute most weeks within worship.
Andrew said: 鈥淭he pandemic left many unsure of where to turn but Amelia stepped forward and agreed to offer her insights as part of the church鈥檚 daily online reflections. Her attitude to continuing to serve God through the pandemic is what has set her apart from others and makes her a worthy recipient of this award.鈥�
A morning reflection by Amelia can be viewed here:
When asked how she felt Amelia said: 鈥淩eally, really happy.鈥�
With respect to the 拢100 award, Amelia added: 鈥淚 haven鈥檛 quite decided what to spend it on yet but I am looking at lots of things including messy church.鈥�
Eight-year-old Poppy Dawson-Crabb of Malmesbury 缅北强奸, in South Western Synod, is April鈥檚 winner.
Poppy was nominated by her minister, the Revd Sarah Simpson, who has witnessed Poppy鈥檚 enthusiastic involvement in worship and mission and describes her as making 鈥渁 hugely positive difference to our church family鈥�.
Sarah said: 鈥淧oppy organises craft activities or offers to read during intergenerational services and was a regular on the filmed services produced by her church during lockdown, makes things to distribute to the elderly. She eagerly takes part in anything involving Christian Aid and wrote a poem for 鈥淗ope Springs Eternal鈥�. Her beautiful 鈥楨aster pebbles鈥�, decorated and shared with others, was also well received. She was recognised as the top under-16 fundraiser in Wiltshire鈥檚 Ride and Stride and has, together with her mum, instigated Muddy Church in Malmesbury, recruiting her friends to go along.
鈥淪he encourages the church in using all forms of social media to reach out to the community.鈥�
Sarah added that Poppy鈥檚 鈥渟unny, outgoing nature is infectious and remarked upon by many鈥�.
Lydia Bearne, 18, attends Banstead 缅北强奸 in Southern Synod and she was nominated by Linda Richards, her local church leader, for the March Lundie Memorial Award.
From the start of the pandemic, Lydia recognised the need to support those who were unable to get out and about.
Finding that the people connected with the church already had friends and family who would collect prescriptions or do shopping, she volunteered for another invaluable service.
She discovered that those without email were unable to access the regular messages of encouragement from the local church leader, and so agreed to deliver printed versions to the houses of all those who lived within walking distance, printing them out and walking from house to house in all weathers which continued through lockdown and beyond.
Linda said: 鈥淭his is of great encouragement to the people and ensures they still feel part of the fellowship of the church.
鈥淟ydia is another very worthy recipient of the Lundie Memorial Award for her thoughtful and selfless action to support the more vulnerable members of her church community.鈥�
Do you know a child or young person who might equally deserve a bit of recognition for the things they do in their church or community? Why not nominate them for the Lundie Memorial Award?
Find all you need to know about the award here.