In September 2020 Revd Ray Driscoll arrived in Gosport, becoming the Interim Team Vicar of both Christ Church and St. John the Evangelist Church in the newly formed Gosport South diocese.
Launch of Love Gosport campaign
Despite the restrictions in place as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, Ray began to build a small team consisting of ordinands, interns and a fantastic group of volunteers to make an impact across the town and serve those who needed it most. As highlighted in The House of Good report, our churches are showing just what good work is happening across the UK.
Beginning in November 2020, provoked by the announcement of a national lockdown and moved by the obvious need across Gosport, Ray and team launched the ‘Love Gosport’ campaign. ‘Love Gosport’ is a both a physical and online movement, aiming to spread the love, joy and hope that we possess as followers of Jesus through physical provision and through uplifting social media posts to give people welcome distraction or practical tips to deal with the hardships of lockdown.
collaboration between churches
We believe that the ‘Love Gosport’ campaign has been a great success, not only due to how it has met the needs of many across the town, but also by how it has inspired collaboration between churches and brought people into church life who had previously felt isolated and lonely. The main physical provisions delivered emergency food parcels; family fun packs, to help little ones stay entertained; and teenager survival packs, to give secondary school and college students a needed boost.
campaign has reached 871 people
Since the beginning of November, 188 food parcels, 151 family fun packs and 131 teenager packs have been delivered. The most important statistic however is the 871 people we estimate this campaign has reached, who have been shown something of the love Jesus has for them. Alongside this, in partnership with a local primary school, we have fed 16 families with healthy hot meals, which were delivered to their doors, twice a week since the beginning of November.
We thank Abi Morgan for sharing with us the good work that is taking place at Christ Church and St. John the Evangelist Church in Gosport South diocese. Please visit their website for further information.