Julia Horner — Deacon

December 2021

Let me introduce myself – I am Julia Horner, and I am the Social Action deacon for the church.

I oversee the social action projects which the church runs, and am a liaison person for those that run in the town.

So I oversee Toddlers & Co and Exchange at the church. I am also the link person between the church and Bishop’s Stortford Food Bank, the Street Pastors, Grove Cottage (Mencap’s centre just down the road from the church), the Canal & River Trust (which maintains the canal next to the church), and the YMCA.

But my biggest role is running Exchange - the goods rehoming project which runs from the church. Exchange has a large group of volunteers who sort donated goods, meet and greet visitors and show them what we have so they can choose the things they need, and arrange collection and delivery of large items. We often have an opportunity to talk to the visitors about issues in their lives, and give support in any way we can, and are very grateful to have the café running alongside, where visitors can wait their turn if needed, while having free coffee, cake and company.

Recently we have been very busy, with many visitors coming to Exchange. It’s been great to see them provided with things they’d struggle to afford, to invite them to church events, and pray for them if they would like that.

Please pray for our team of volunteers — for strength and health — and pray that we don’t just provide ‘things’, but that through Exchange we are able to show visitors God’s love in action, and so are able to draw people into the church and introduce them to the grace of God.