Building the Ark Café Team: Prayer & Praise from our January 2026 Gathering

On Saturday 10 January, we gathered at the Hughenden Centre for a simple afternoon of welcome, worship and prayer. The purpose was twofold, to help people get to know one another, and to put God at the very centre of Weston Ark’s life and future.

During the welcome, it was also reaffirmed that while Weston Ark is motivated by Christian faith, the Hughenden Centre is for the wider community. People are not excluded if they are exploring faith, unsure, or do not share what motivates the trustees.

Below are key reasons to give thanks, followed by ways you can pray with us as we move forward.

Praise reasons to give thanks

1) A warm and welcoming gathering at the Hughenden Centre

We give thanks for a genuinely welcoming atmosphere, with space to connect over refreshments and conversation, and a sense of togetherness as supporters, volunteers and friends gathered in one place.

2) Clarity of heart and a community-facing welcome

We are thankful for the clear and public-hearted message shared in the welcome, that Weston Ark wants to work alongside anyone who wants to do good and make a difference locally, and that people are welcome even if they do not share Christian faith.

3) Worship that helped us re-centre on God

We thank God for a worship time that intentionally centred on God’s presence, listening for his voice, and choosing a posture of surrender. There was a simplicity to it, less about performance and more about meeting with God together. Thank you to Emma Wotton and Mark Spence for leading worship and helping create space for people to respond.

4) Encouragement shared through prayer, scripture and “pictures”

We give thanks for the words of encouragement shared during the open time of prayer, including a picture of the Centre as a light in darkness, drawing people in and pointing to Christ. We also give thanks for the reminder of Jesus turning ordinary water into wine, a picture of God bringing something beautiful and life-giving from ordinary people and ordinary faithfulness. Another strong theme was prayer that this would be a caring community with Jesus at the centre, where people feel loved, cared for and welcomed.

5) Serving behind the scenes

We are thankful for everyone who served practically to make the afternoon possible, including those supporting sound, projection, hospitality and caretaking. Thank you to all who helped create a calm, well-supported environment for worship and prayer.

Prayer points looking ahead in faith

1) Follow-up and fruit from the gathering

Please pray for everyone who came, especially anyone who is new to Weston Ark. Pray that relationships formed would grow into lasting connection, and that people who sensed God stirring something in them would be encouraged to take a next step.

2) A strong and sustainable start to the Ark Café

Please pray for steady momentum as the Ark Café moves into operation, with the right volunteers in the right roles, good team rhythm, and a culture of warmth, dignity and welcome for everyone who comes through the doors.

3) A safe, caring culture as we grow

Pray for wisdom and consistency as Weston Ark continues building good safeguarding, training, and clear ways of working. Pray that we would do things properly, not for formality, but because it is part of loving people well.

4) The Hughenden Centre as a place of welcome for the wider community

Please pray that the “welcome” experienced inside the building would overflow beyond it, and that the Centre would become known as a place where people are received with kindness and hope.

5) God at the centre of everything

Above all, pray that God would remain at the centre of Weston Ark, shaping our decisions, our priorities, and our love for the people of Weston-super-Mare.

If you would like to get involved, Weston Ark welcomes volunteers of all faiths and none, and even a small amount of time can make a real difference.