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Carol Service 2011

On Sunday 18th December we had our first outdoor Carol Service. From 3:30pm at the Canal Basin on Enfield Island Village around 150 took part in our festival style gathering. We had children from our kidz club selling cakes they'd made that morning to raise funds for Oasis Uganda, Christmas cracker making, and Christmas hamper making. We made 14 hampers which will go to local families. We had a brass band singing traditional carols, and Craig our church leader shared a message about how the birth of Jesus changed everything.

Enfield Lock Underpass Project

On Sunday 4th December we cancelled our 'normal' church service and began work on the Enfield Lock train station underpass. For years now it's been a dark, damp and unsafe place to be, and we wanted to change that. After inital talks with Network Rail, Enfield Council and the Enfield Lock ward councillors, we are working together to transform the area. 38 gathered to delvier phase one of the project. We made a real difference and a good start.

Visiting Speaker

On Sunday 27th November, our good friends Kevin and Jill Westfield came to visit us. Kevin is an Assemblies of God (AoG) minister based in Southport working with a missions organisation and a local church that works with homeless people. Kevin was able to speak right into where Oasis Church is at. As a family they were also encouraging to Rachel and I in leading the church. A great weekend was had!

Inflatable Fun

On Sunday 6th November 2011 we host the first of our 2011-2012 Family Events. Around 200 people came through our doors to take part in this community building event. We had four inflatables, a craft area and food activities, both with a firework theme. It was great to see families have fun together and to be a part of building community in Enfield Lock.

Canadian Vistors

On Sunday 16th October 2011, our good friends Ronnie & Janelle Zerr came to visit. Ronnie has been a great friend to both James and I as we transitioned to Enfield from the Midlands. He spoke a really hopeful message about being a 'voice to the voiceless'. It was so certainly a word of encouragement that we're doing the right things. We are just at the beginning.

Sowing Seeds Community Project

On Sunday 2nd October we cancelled our normal service and decided to covertly 'plant' seeds in Enfield Lock. What we mean is this; as part of a prophetic statement, we wanted to sow seeds of hope, of peace, of joy, of love in our community. So around 35 of us met together, split into teams and walked to different parts of Enfield Lock and literally planted dozens of bulbs. As we planted we prayed for those in our community, that as these bulbs spring up, that so to would a new sense of community in Enfield Lock.

Oasis Uganda Partnership

On Sunday 18th September 2011, we had Irene (the new Oasis Uganda director) visiting Enfield. She spent time with students and staff from Oasis Academy Enfield through the week and then with us on the Sunday morning. In Oasis, Enfield and Uganda are linked, and we're hoping to take a team to Uganda in 2012 at some point.

Two Year Anniversary 2011

It's humbling to think how far Oasis Church Enfield has come in two years. In some ways Rachel and I talk about how we would do things differently if we were to plant a church again, but we can't deny that what we've done in Enfield Lock has been successful. Today 72 of us came together, 10 guests, but around 13 of our usual folk were away. We took some time to celebrate our achievements these past two years, but we also looked forward to what we can become. We spoke of our desire to work with others in Enfield Lock to help Transform the community. No small task, no quick fix, just committed people living for a cause greater than them.

Free Car Wash

On Sunday 7th August we hosted a Community Car Wash at Oasis Academy to express some kindness to our community. A number of people came and had their car washed and were amazed we did it for free with no strings. Some great conversations were had and it felt good to serve people, some could say it was an 'act of worship'.

Race For Life 2011

On Sunday 24th July we cancelled our church service and headed to Finsbury Park to support some ladies from Enfield who were taking part in the race. It was great to be a part of the event which is raising awareness of cancer research. Our ladies raised several hundred pounds between them.

Enfield Island Village Summer Festival

On Saturday 23rd July Oasis Church Enfield organised a family fun day for the residents of Enfield Lock. We had cakes, drinks, face painting, circus skills, bouncy castles, party games. Around 300 residents came and took part in it. This was the last of our 2010-2011 grant from Awards For All.

Oasis Community Garden

"Oasis Community Garden. On Wednesday 6th July Oasis Hub Enfield officially opened its community garden space. Founder Steve Chalke planted a tree and reminded those who had assembled not only that the tree is designed to be productive and fruitful, just like our lives, but also that the health and size of the trees roots determine its ability to grow, just like our roots of education, opportunity, faith and confidence. The students released over 100 balloons each with a return prize tag.

We have received one returned tag so far, so thank you to Mrs B Clarke from Beccles, Suffolk who found and returned one of the celebration balloons! The tag from the furthest location wins the prize...will Suffolk be the furthest!!"

Talk from Sunday 26th June 2011

Here's the link to the talk click here Oasis Church Enfield Podcasts

Father's Day Event June 2011

On Sunday 19th June, we nervously organised a Father's Day event following on from the last two years successful and well attended Mother's Day events. Not knowing how many would turn up and unsure if we'd pitched it right with the activities. I'm pleased to report that 101 people turned out to be a part of the event. We arranged a bouncy castle, sand pits, BBQ, crazy golf and giant jenga. What was great is that we were able to connect with Dads, Grandads and partners of families we've been relating to these past couple of years. It feels so good to be making a positive contribution to this community.

Funding Secured

Rachel Bird has successfully secured a £219,000 grant through the Big Lottery for Enfield Island Youth & Community Trust (EIYCT). This has given a salary to the post of Children's Development Worker for five years. Thanks to Rachel for the long hours she put into this bid.

Oasis Community Garden May 2011

"First workshop on the Oasis community garden! We're pleased to say that a group of parents and children from Enfield Lock today started work on their new community garden on the Oasis Academy site. The children were digging, watering, collecting snails, removing weeds, and making garden collages and signs whilst parents sweated ay digging out weeds and preparing the soil! Look out for more updates later when we've begun planting!" James Musgrave.

Weekend Away May 2011

Since we arrived in Enfield, I've wanted to do a church weekend away, knowing how valuable time away informally is. It wasn't viable last year so I was so pleased to be able to take 30 of us away in 2011. We went to Ahsburnham Place in Battle Sussex. It will almost certainly become an annual event.

Royal Wedding Street Party April 2011

On Friday 29th April we decide to use the Royal Wedding as an opportunity to bring the community together. The canal basin on Enfield Island Village is home to 1300 homes, which is made up of people from various cultures and backgrounds. The challenge is that there is little opportunity to come together. As a church we hope that we can be the catalyst that brings people together. So with a bouncy castle, face painting, donkey rides, fancy dress, arts and craft, 6ft by 8ft screen for live viewing of the wedding, drinks, cakes and bunting. Around 450 people came through and much fun was had by all. More of the same to come. If you want to get involved in shaping our family events and community projects, please get in touch with james.musgrave@oasisenfield.org.

Easter Celebrations April 2011

On Good Friday we gathered at Oasis Academy for our first 'all age' service led by Rachel. She was back in action as a Children's Worker using props and visuals to communicate the important message of Easter. We thanked God for Jesus's death and ressurection. Then on Easter Sunday we gathered on Enfield Island Village for a family easter egg hunt. All in all a great weekend of recognising the importance of Easter and serving our community.