Sing Praise at Work!
A group leader in the Home Office Christian Network looks back at the year 2014.
What a year this has been for the Home Office Christian Network! Throughout 2014 we can truly say Emmanuel, our God, has been with us through good and bad. We remain confident that He who is faithful will do the same in 2015.
What did 2014 mean to me? Well, the highlight for me started in October when I felt led to resurrect our Christmas Carol Event in December. I had a break last year in 2013 as I was at a low ebb. Now I needed to somehow stimulate interest, as it is not always easy when you are a lone pilot light trying to ignite a flame. A still small voice spoke saying: ‘Get a choir together’. I thought ‘Why not?’ and sent out an office e-mail inviting anyone who was interested.
Come the day of the first rehearsal I was busy at my job when the front desk security guard phones: ‘Rupert, can you come downstairs, there is a choir forming here.’ My instant reaction was: ‘Praise the Lord!’ and ‘Thank you, Lord!' (for answered prayer).
Through our Diversity Forum, word soon got out about a new choir. We were invited to sing at the Diversity Fusion Event at the end of October with little time to practice and under instructions that there were to be no Christmas Carols! I did sneak in Jingle Bell Rock as there is not a single carol in the song! In November, the choir performed again at work for Children In Need along the theme of Heroes.
Finally on Thursday December 11th our Christmas event, called the ‘Xmas Factor’, was held. It was well supported, although I was hoping for a larger turn-out, but maybe business needs and Christmas preparations were a slight distraction. People kept asking me: ’How many people are in the choir?’ If everyone who was on the list attended then it would be well over 20. My sincere and heartfelt thanks go out to all who participated in one way or another. This has certainly laid foundations for future events.
Being 60 was something I was dreading if I am honest, but in reality I have never had so much fun! God is good. He provides opportunities and openings for us, if we are prepared to step out in faith. His timing is always perfect even if the result is not always what we would expect. It is so good to be a part of His Blessing upon others. God’s love reaches those parts which others cannot reach; His Light shines upon us, in us and through us that we may become beacons of hope and rescue to a dark lost world - His Ambassadors!
As for 2015, may we strengthen the bonds of fellowship that already exist between us and develop new links. May our roots rest secure in Him who is able to protect, inspire and motivate to reach out so that we may blossom, flourish and bear fruit for His Kingdom. We have an exciting yet demanding year ahead of us. May we not lose sight of the strength of fellowship and build upon what He has already begun among us.
Rupert Bobrowicz
HOCN 30/12/2014
| Such good news coming from Christian colleagues at E.ON. |
| Watch to see how stepping out when you feel apprehensive can sometimes be very rewarding. |
| John Harris, the chief engineer of the propulsion division, gave a welcome on behalf of JLR. JLR are developing their culture with 13 EDI groups now. |
| What are you dreaming about for the organisation you work for? Check out Simon's testimony. |
| The Christian Workplace Group and the videos are being advertised in the Staff Briefing email this week and the playlist has now had over 300 views. |
| Brad McLaughlin from Aviva and a team of people from other industries had the opportunity in July to go to Westminster and Number 10 to discuss the role of faith in the workplace, representing Aviva and the Faith Friendly Workplaces initiative. |
| Transform Work facilitate 3 online meetings a year where leaders of Christian Workplace Groups in the water industry sector come together to share good practice and pray for this sector. Find out more and read a testimony |
| “Faith is one of the protected characteristics but is often one of the least developed within most companies Diversity and Inclusion strategy,” says Andy. |
| We are constantly amazed at how God goes before our Christian workplace group and provides ways we can benefit our Council.
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| Joining a new organisation can be a daunting and lonely experience, so it can be helpful for one or two people in the group to specifically look out for the new starter for a month or so. |
| The GLA Christian Network based at the London Mayor's office is delighted to invite you to the 2022 hybrid Christmas celebration to be held on 14th December from 12:30-2:00pm. |
| Moving on – 3 members of a Local Authority Christian workplace group reflect on what the group meant to them.
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| Steve interviewing his colleague on why she went on the Alpha course the Christian Workplace Group ran in her workplace and the difference it's made in her life. |
| The journey of one Christian Workplace Group leader's online alpha course... |
| When I started at the University it took me a year to find another Christian. We started to meet together with one of her colleagues who was also a Christian.... |
| Plans for our traditional carol service at the Council have had to be put on hold. Most people are working from home. How can we be good news to our organisation and our colleagues at a time like this during the Christmas season? |
| Facebook employees given the green light for 12 hours of worship and prayer on the campus in the Silicon Valley. Live links available. |
| A fine example of all faiths coming together to the benefit of the company occurred at Rolls Royce in Derby, where staff gather to remember the recent atrocities in Sri Lanka |
| The Sefton Council Christian Workplace Group put on a varied Easter display for staff at the Council - as suggested by their Personnel Manager! |
| The Bedford Council CWG recently arranged an event to celebrate Sukkot - the Jewish feast of Tabernacles or Shelters. It was an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the Jewish roots of the Christian faith with in the council |
| Thames Water's Learning at Work Week gave the Christian group there a chance to explain on how Christianity embraced networking - the Business's topic for the week |
| A report on the Christianity Awareness Week held in Ealing Council just before Easter |
| A report on the highly successful Barclays Christian Workplace Group conference 'The City Lights are On' held in Canary Wharf. |
| The Christian Workplace Group at Sefton Council have taken steps to become recognised as a staff network, and are seeing the rewards, as they show God's love to the workers in the Council |
| Ros and Adrian visited the new group at E.ON Bedford recently, and saw they were 'ready to launch' |
| Ros went along to the Department for Education Christian Network and found the group to have grown considerably, and loved the way they work together as a group |
| The Christians Workplace Group in Royal Bank of Scotland organised an interfaith panel discussion. It turned out to be a thought-provoking look at the factors shaping both individuals' morals and the company values |
| The CWG at the Competition and Markets Authority, in central London, arranged a visit to the nearby British Museum recently. They were inspired by seeing the artefacts from biblical times on display at the museum |
| Karis at Action for Children helpfully takes us through the steps she followed in setting up a Christian Workplace Group there |
| Sefton Council CWG looks outwards and holds an Alpha course together with nearby groups and provides Easter eggs for council employees |
| It’s good to hear of Christian Workplace Groups that are flourishing and making a real impact in the workplace, like the group at Bromley Council... find out more. |
| Could you use a Diversity and Inclusion notice board in your workplace to advertise the presence of your Christian Workplace Group? Find out more... |
| Christian Workplace Group member Robert wears a clerical collar while working as a procurement officer at Chelmsford City Council. We speak to him to find out why, and what impact it has had in his secular workplace. |