Its 3 am on New Years Eve, the temperature is around
minus seven and Mark Berry finds himself on the streets
of Telford kneeling on the floor and washing the feet
of a lady who, having left the a nightclub, took off her
shoes and stood on a broken bottle. As he removed
bits of glass from her sole, she looked down at him and
said: “God bless you!” Things like this seem to happen
regularly for the members of safespace, a community
in Telford (Shropshire) as they seek to share life and the
good news with the people of the town in different ways.
Mark is a Lay Pioneer Minister who, after a number
of years exploring community with - and for - young
people on the fringes of church, found himself with
his wife Louisa and young son Nathan founding
a new community called safespace. safespace
describe themselves as a community of followers
who are seeking first and foremost to be equipped,
resourced and supported in living a life that exudes
mission, to reflect a mission and holistic spirituality
and to live that life alongside those for whom church
has no meaning or real life connection and to be
focussed on being agents of change in the world in
which they find themselves.
They took to heart the instructions in Luke 10, to step
out, to go lightly, to offer peace and to be open to the
people of peace in the community. They spend their time
in community - in AFC Telford United Football Club, with
the local Mind*Body*Spirit community, leading children’s
nature/spirituality walks and running sank•tuary a safe
haven/chill out venue for clubbers.
Louisa has just begun working with schools and churches
leading workshops on making jewellery with recycled
materials as well as selling her work to help fund
safespace’s ministry. Mark has published two books,
one containing liturgies from the first year of safespace
available from www.proost.co.uk and one with AFC
Telford United Football club.
The emphasis is to “share lives” which reflect the gospel
through a deep love for God, for one another and for
the people of Telford, model a different way of being, to
demonstrate community and grace, and to be people of
shalom.