A Season of Provision and Partnership: Prayer & Praise - October to November

As we look back over October and into November, we are encouraged by the many quiet but significant ways God has been at work at the Hughenden Centre. From practical provision to growing partnerships, each step is helping Weston Ark move closer to the vision God has given us.

Below are some of the key things we want to thank God for, followed by ways you can join us in prayer.

Praise: Reasons to Give Thanks

1. Ark Café: A New Coffee Machine and Growing Momentum

We are delighted to share that the Ark Café has taken another important step forward with the arrival of a new coffee machine at the Hughenden Centre.

The machine is a Coffetek Vitro espresso single, supplied and installed by JW Vending, based in Avonmouth.

It was sourced with the help of Shane Dean (Good News Post, volunteer, friend of Clive and member of St Paul’s Church) and Matt Luft, who is supporting the Ark Café initiative as part of his role as Centre Manager. The installation was carried out by Lee Worgan from JW Vending, whose care and professionalism we greatly appreciated.

On Thursday 6 November, JW Vending kindly provided a free coffee training day at the Centre, helping to equip our growing café team with skills and confidence to serve high quality drinks and a warm welcome. Those present for the training included volunteers Phil Rawlin and Mike Jowett, together with Matt and Stacey. Photos from the day, taken with permissions in place, capture something of the energy and excitement building around the project.

We are very thankful for everyone who is giving time, expertise and enthusiasm to help the Ark Café move from idea to reality.

2. Provision Through Grants and Generosity

We give heartfelt thanks for very concrete answers to prayer in the form of grant funding.

• Quartet Community Foundation has awarded Weston Ark an Express Grant of £2,350 to help equip and run the Ark Café.

• The Asda Foundation has awarded a Better Together grant of £600, following a nomination supported by Weston super Mare Foodbank and Asda’s Community Champion.

  
  

These gifts are a tangible sign that others can see the value of what is being built at the Hughenden Centre and want to invest in it. They are helping us to take real steps forward in creating a welcoming, sustainable space that will serve our community for years to come.

3. Young People Making a Difference - The King’s Trust and Weston College

Our partnership with The King’s Trust programme via Weston College continues to be a real encouragement.

• A group of learners recently organised a cake sale fundraiser, and from the proceeds they generously donated 35 kg of food to the Hughenden Centre Foodbank storeroom, as previoulsy mentioned in our October news article: Weston College and King's Trust Refresh Hughenden Foodbank Store

• The programme will continue from Monday 24 November to Friday 28 November, when a new group of learners will be coming to the Centre to carry on their community project work.

• Looking ahead, the King’s Trust group hope to donate blinds for the Foodbank storeroom, provide further practical items, and run another fundraiser in support of Weston Ark and Weston super Mare Foodbank.

  
  

We are deeply thankful for these young people, for their creativity and energy, and for the way they are choosing to invest in their local community.

4. Growing Partnership with the Foodbank

The Hughenden Centre Foodbank storeroom remains a focal point of our partnership with Weston super Mare Foodbank.

The food donation from the King’s Trust group is one visible reminder of how God is using this partnership to bless those in need. As improvements continue around the storeroom and wider building, the Centre is becoming a more effective base for this vital work of providing emergency food and support.

5. Sharing the Story - Connection with the Good News Post

We also give thanks for new opportunities to share what God is doing through Weston Ark.

Shane hopes to publicise Weston Ark and write about us in the Good News Post, highlighting the vision for the Hughenden Centre and the heart behind the Ark Café and our partnership with the Foodbank.

This is an encouraging sign that others can see the good that is beginning to grow here. We are thankful for these open doors to tell a hopeful story to a wider audience.

Prayer Points: Looking Ahead in Faith

1. Ark Café - From Preparation to Opening

• Please pray for Stacey, Matt and the café team as they plan next steps towards opening the Ark Café.

• Pray for wisdom about timing, volunteer roles and the practical details needed to move from preparation to regular opening.

• Ask that the café will be shaped not just as a project, but as a ministry - a place of welcome, listening and quiet pastoral care, where people sense God’s peace as soon as they enter.

  
  

2. The King’s Trust, Weston College and Young Volunteers

• Give thanks for the King’s Trust learners who have already given their time and energy to support the Foodbank and Weston Ark.

• Pray for the new group of learners coming from Monday 24 to Friday 28 November, that their time at the Hughenden Centre will be positive, meaningful and safe.

• Pray for favour and provision as they seek to donate blinds and other items for the Foodbank storeroom, and as they plan another fundraiser for Weston Ark and the Foodbank.

• Ask that seeds of confidence, purpose and hope would be planted in each young person involved.

  
  

3. Good News Post Coverage and Public Witness

• Please pray for Shane as he seeks to feature Weston Ark in the Good News Post.

• Pray that any article written will clearly convey our vision, honour all those involved, and point towards the hope we have in God.

• Ask that this coverage will help build trust in the local community and open further doors for partnership.

  
  

4. Ongoing Planning, Partnerships and Provision

• Pray for Clive, the trustees and Matt as they continue to develop wider plans for the Hughenden Centre, balancing day to day demands with long term vision.

• Pray for our existing hirers and partners, and for those who may join us in the months ahead, that relationships will be strong, clear and mutually supportive.

• Please continue to pray for financial provision and wise stewardship, especially as we seek further funding and make decisions about how best to use what has already been given.

  
  

Thank you for standing with us in both praise and prayer. Your support, encouragement and intercession are a vital part of what God is doing at the Hughenden Centre, and we are deeply grateful to be on this journey together.