Field of Dreams

A fearful look from the window at home said it all, as I watched the torrential rain falling and the noise of the deafening wind whistling in my ears on a cold November night.  The Stadium of light beckoned for Dick and myself heading for the Centrepoint charity Sleepout.  From St. Andrew's church to Houghall College, Beamish Museum to the Aircraft Museum,and now this was to be the fifth sleepout I had been to.

It was good to meet up with those who worked with the charity. Not least to talk to the North East Regional Manager who I first met at St. Andrew's more than five years ago as we hosted the first ever such event in the north east. Compliments of thankfulness from that time which gave them a springboard to bigger and better events in the years to come. A sense of thankfulness of the appreciation of the hospitality the church showed them  on that occasion.

It was also a deep sense of thankfulness, as on arriving I realised we would be sleeping on the concourse of the stadium. At least shielded from the rain but not the cold and the wind. A night of fitful sleep not least a time to reflect on the impact Centrepoint has made since setting up its north east base in Sunderland. One of those God coincidence moments as their centre was set up in the parish in Dundas Street and a new centre opened across the town recently.

Gazing across the football pitch covered by lights and heaters to make the grass grow, and the field of dreams of hoped for victories in the future left one pondering on the dreams for the future being fulfilled in the many young people being helped by the charity. Practical help and training that sets them off on the right path in life for the many disadvantaged and sometimes homeless young people.

Dick and I survived the night and following a bacon butty and a cup of tea at 7 a.m. it was time to depart and back to normal life. Well you could see in the photo that Dick was wearing his survival suit! I say normal but in fact such an event impacts on our own life journey. But also a further opportunity for the church building its relationship with community. A night of discomfort but a small price to pay for the gospel values by which we live. The field of our Christian dreams united with these young people in building a society for the future.

May I take this opportunity to thank all in the parish who sponsored us in the vital work of the Centrepoint charity.

                                                                                                John Pattinson  

 

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