Skip to main content

Soupermums at Wilsden Trinity Church

About seven years ago a good idea came up – why not extend our mission to the community, to young mothers and their babies. So the format evolved, on every Monday morning we would invite mums (and dads) to have soup and hot rolls followed by tea and cake, while volunteers looked after the babies for a while. This would be an opportunity for the Mums to talk about their everyday experiences of motherhood, in a relaxed, comfortable environment.

On the first Monday, Trinity’s team had two in the kitchen and three to welcome and care. Just one mum came which was proof of demand from the word ‘go’. Within a month we had six mums in our side room with their babies resting on a large quilt. We extended our mission to the local clinic, through contact with a health visitor. News travelled as fast as we had hoped. We bought our first high chairs and, as numbers steadily increased, we moved from the side room into the main body of our church.

We provided more quilts and cushions placed in the centre and a ring of chairs, as surround, so that everyone could converse and see what was happening. To the side, end to end, we placed the tables. From the start it was agreed we should not charge but thought it right to place a bowl for donations, encouraged to do so by the wishes of some mums.

Today we have six high chairs and a team of carers, including a special safeguarding group and those with pastoral experience. Our statisticians inform me that we have had 528 mums attend and have cared for 16 sets of twins. We are thankful that God had encouraged us and inspired us to push forward with this mission. Mums come from afar, not just the local village.

It is rewarding also to know that many of the mums have made friendships as a result of attending Soupermums and a few are bringing their second baby along. After we had been running for about five years, a group of mums, quietly and privately, made a collection among themselves and gifted our volunteers a lunch out which was very touching.

So, in conclusion, we are occasionally asked why we do this and our singular response, always with a smile, is because we try to be useful Christians. We have a Soupermums’ song, which is sung in conclusion – ‘Our God is a great big God and he holds us in his hands’ which is animated with hand actions by the volunteer carers while the babies bounce up and down.
We open at 11.00 am, provide soup at about noon and disperse at 1.00 pm. Then we have souper-carers lunch – same menu. Our mums have numbered 25 and more and even in atrocious weather, rarely drop below a dozen.

Keith B (Helper), Wilsden Trinity

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Soupermums! Wilsden Trinity Church

Do you have a young baby? Looking for something to do? If the answer is yes then Soupermums is for you. We're here from 11 until 1 every Monday, Mums (and dads) have a rest and the babies can play. Have a lovely sit down whilst you sip on a brew. Enjoy having someone else make lunch for you! Come along to Wilsden Church, meet the rest of the group. Lovely ladies cuddle the babies, whilst you eat your soup. Chat with the mums, new friends you will make. Swap tips and advice over a slice or two of cake. So what are you waiting for? come on along, For homemade treats, good company and if you're lucky a song. We're looking forward to meeting you, please come take a peek, 11-1 at Wilsden Trinity, we're here every week! Celine V  (a Soupermum!) Where can new mums go, to have lunch where it’s warm and safe and you get to eat fresh soup and homemade cakes, while someone holds your baby? Too big an ask? Not at Wilsden Trinity! Every Mond...

May message from the Ministry Team

Dear friends One of the ‘deep wells’ that replenishes my spirituality is the practice of ‘Lectio Divina’ which is an ancient method for praying with the Bible. It literally means ‘divine reading’, or ‘reading in a godly kind of way’. We rush about so much these days and practising the discipline of a slower reading of the Bible to allow it to speak to us is an integral aspect of Lectio Divina. If you want to try it yourself, read slowly a short passage of text that you have decided upon in advance, letting your awareness rest in turn upon each word. As you read, be alert for any particular word or phrase that draws your attention in a special way. Then meditate on this word or phrase, allowing it to engage you fully. Does the word connect with some aspect of your own experience? As you hold this in your heart, let yourself become aware of any answering words, images, or memories that arise in you. Then finally respond through prayer to the word you have heard, simply and directl...