The Joy Foundation

It’s Quiz time!

Come and join us for a fun fundraising evening to support our work. Details of how to book in are on the flier.

We hope to see you!

Prayer Update September 2024

Here we are again at the start of a new school year and we have much to give thanks for and to pray for as we seek to help children to flourish into becoming the person that God created them to be.

PLEASE GIVE THANKS FOR

· We again have 23 schools that have confirmed that they would like the support of The Joy Foundation this coming school year. We will leading Collective Worship, lessons, clubs, interventions, Collective Worship Councils, online “Together!” times, Harvest Festivals etc.

· The openness that exists in local schools that means that The Joy Foundation is welcomed in to share something of Jesus

PLEASE PRAY FOR

· This is the list of schools that we will be working in this year:

Saxilby, St Faith’s Infants, St Peter at Gowts, St Giles, Bishop King, Branston Infants, Bracebridge Infants, Redwood, The Meadows, Leslie Manser, Fosse Way, Ling Moor, South Hykeham, All Saints Hykeham, Manor Farm, Navenby, Coleby, Welbourn, Witham St Hughs, Brant Broughton, Manor Leas Infants, Fiskerton, Bassingham

We have prayed this prayer over all of these schools. Please would you choose a school or more than one from the list and pray the prayer also for that school. It may be a local one to you, or one with which you have a connection or some other reason.

Thank you for this school - for the children, adults and families that are a part of life that happens here. Thank you that they are all known and loved by you.

Thankyou for the learning, growing, teaching, living and friendships that happen here.

Thankyou for the opportunity that everyone has in this school to learn together.

We pray that this is a safe and happy place for all. A place where everyone is part of a community where they feel cared for, supported and is a place where people give to each other.

We pray that this is a place of learning and growing - a place where people have the opportunity to flourish and become the person that you created them to be.

We pray that this is a school full of humility and of forgiveness. We pray that each person that is a part of this school knows your peace and love.

Amen

Thank you for your support.

Something fun for the summer! The Joy Foundation works in several Lincolnshire villages. We have a paper ( or electronic) quiz sheet with 11 village pictures for you to identify. May be an excuse to enjoy the summer sun by visiting them too. We are requesting a £1 entry fee. Competition closes last day of August. Contact us on here or messenger to request your copy or email [email protected]

Prayer Update June 2024

This is our last prayer update of this school year, with only 5 weeks left until the summer holidays. Thanks for your prayers again over this past year and please be encouraged by what is happening in our local schools.

PLEASE GIVE THANKS FOR

· Already we have had most of our schools contact us to confirm that they would like The Joy Foundation to continue serving them next year. We have also had interest from some of our schools about wanting The Joy Foundation to provide more to their children.

· We have had recent success with our grant applications. Also, individual donors have increased their giving and people are arranging individual fundraising events. These all very much help as we take the financial leap of faith to offer more overt Christian input into schools.

PLEASE PRAY FOR

· These last few weeks of term give us an opportunity to give final challenges to the older children especially. They are in a significant moment of their lives as they move school and the prayer is that the messages that we have brought stay with them and help them.

· Our last joint schools online Collective Worship of the year, “Together!” on Friday 5th July is well received as we explore the theme of Changes

· The schools that I would like prayer for this month are All Saints in North Hykeham and South Hykeham. We lead monthly Collective Worship at both these and have done for some time.

· Pray that all of our schools continue to want our input next school year. If we can confirm this soon, it gives a clearer picture of how we can seek to develop support more in these schools and then into other schools also.

Over the summer we are also asking if people would be willing to hold a small event or do something that helps raise funds for TJF. Already people are organising open gardens and afternoon teas, so if you are willing please go ahead! Anything helps and if you would like more information, please feel free to contact me.

Thank you for your support.

We are praying for all students and staff as they begin the final half term of this academic year. We pray for peace as students worry about what next year looks like and ask God to fill them with excitement and positive anticipation for the future. We pray for those preparing their transition to new schools . We ask God for increased energy for all staff.
We continue to pray for Andy and Helen for strength and energy and health.

Prayer Update May 2024

We are in full swing for this term, so please do keep praying!

PLEASE GIVE THANKS FOR

· We have made a decision to take a step of faith next year in order to reach more children with the Good News of Jesus. Andy will stop leading PE lessons on two afternoons in order to free up time to explore new opportunities. This will reduce an income stream but give thanks that new sources have already appeared since we took this decision.

· At the recent 25th Celebration Evening there were a number of staff and adults that as children had experienced our work. They gave a strong and humbling testimony as to the value, importance and impact of our work.


PLEASE PRAY FOR

· The above decision that we have made. Pray for new and correct opportunities and that we have the wisdom and provision to move forward into what God has for us.

· The schools that I would like prayer for this month are Navenby and Coleby. Andy has led monthly Collective Worship in both for many years and continues to do so. Andy also supports Navenby with their Collective Worship Council and both schools have been a part of our online Collective Worship, “Together!”

· Year 6 children especially at this time. This week is their SATs week, which many children find difficult for different reasons. They are also facing their last few weeks as primary school children. Pray for them and that what The Joy Foundation brings is helpful to them.

THANKYOU to all of you who came along on the 25th Celebration Evening. It was a wonderful occasion and we raised around £500.

Over the summer we are also asking if people would be willing to hold a small event or do something that helps raise funds for TJF. Already people are organising open gardens and afternoon teas, so if you are willing please go ahead! Anything helps and if you would like more information, please feel free to contact me.

Thank you for your support.

Hello everybody

The summer term is upon us and again we have a full diary of engagements in our 24 schools that we serve.

PLEASE GIVE THANKS FOR

· Our Schoolsworker, Helen, has made a wonderful recovery from her knee operation and is now back full time

· New generous people that are kindly supporting us financially on a monthly basis. This generosity is helping us to continue with our valuable work

PLEASE PRAY FOR

· Last month we indicated that we are developing plans as to how we could increase our involvement in local schools. These plans are now very much in our thinking so please pray that we have wisdom, faith courage and provision.

· The schools that we would like prayer for this month are two schools that Andy has personally been involved with for the past 25 years. Both of these are Church Schools are south of the city centre and have children from many different nationalities. At St Peter at Gowts, TJF provides weekly Collective Worship, weekly individualised mentoring and a weekly Challenge Club. TJF provides monthly Collective Worship at Bishop King too.

· As ever, please do continue to pray for the children. Many schools report that they have younger children that are now showing evidence of disruption in their education because of Covid. Pray too that the children hear and receive the messages that we bring to them.

We are looking forward to the Celebration on 27th April to mark the 25th anniversary of Andy’s involvement in local schools. There’s still some space if you would like to come along.

Thank you for your support.

This is great 🙏🏼

Join us as we Love our Schools this February. Resources on the website. https://www.prayforschools.org/loveourschools/

HAPPY NEW YEAR

This is a significant year for Andy personally as he celebrates 25 years of local children’s ministry. Andy says "I’m thankful that I’ve been able to carry out this work for these years, humbled by the many and amazing opportunities that I have had to stand up for Christ and very grateful for the ongoing support that you and many others have shown over such a long period of time. I really want to give thanks to God for so many things, but please join me in remembering the blessings that have just happened."

PLEASE GIVE THANKS FOR

· All the messages that we were able to present over the Advent period. We were able to speak openly about Jesus to literally thousands of children.

· New opportunities that have opened up to be involved more deeply in some schools. We are now supporting more schools with how they present Collective Worship, giving us the opportunity to discuss more deeply the Christian values which we live by.

PLEASE PRAY FOR

· The children are always the most important prayer request. Please pray that this year they hear, understand, receive, understand and are moved to respond to the message that The Joy Foundation brings to them.

· I would like to highlight two schools every month this year for your prayers please. This month the schools are Ling Moor and Fosse Way, both in North Hykeham. Ling Moor has received very regular Collective Worship for the last 25 years and we also present Collective Worship monthly at Fosse Way.

· Many of you have asked about our online Collective Worship, “Together!” We will hold “Together!” again on Wednesday 20th March with an Easter theme.

On 27th April we are holding a Celebration to mark this 25th anniversary. It would be wonderful if you could come along to this event. If you would like to come, please RSVP by 29th March.

Thank you for your support.

HAPPY NEW YEAR



This is a significant year for Andy personally as he celebrates 25 years of local children’s ministry. Andy says "I’m thankful that I’ve been able to carry out this work for these years, humbled by the many and amazing opportunities that I have had to stand up for Christ and very grateful for the ongoing support that you and many others have shown over such a long period of time. I really want to give thanks to God for so many things, but please join me in remembering the blessings that have just happened."

PLEASE GIVE THANKS FOR

· All the messages that we were able to present over the Advent period. We were able to speak openly about Jesus to literally thousands of children.

· New opportunities that have opened up to be involved more deeply in some schools. We are now supporting more schools with how they present Collective Worship, giving us the opportunity to discuss more deeply the Christian values which we live by.

PLEASE PRAY FOR

· The children are always the most important prayer request. Please pray that this year they hear, understand, receive, understand and are moved to respond to the message that The Joy Foundation brings to them.

· I would like to highlight two schools every month this year for your prayers please. This month the schools are Ling Moor and Fosse Way, both in North Hykeham. Ling Moor has received very regular Collective Worship for the last 25 years and we also present Collective Worship monthly at Fosse Way.

· Many of you have asked about our online Collective Worship, “Together!” We will hold “Together!” again on Wednesday 20th March with an Easter theme.

On 27th April we are holding a Celebration to mark this 25th anniversary. It would be wonderful if you could come along to this event. If you would like to come, please RSVP by 29th March.



Thank you for your support.

It's just over a week until our Quiz Night. Are you coming?

It’s that time of year again!

Come and join us for a great fundraising evening. Details of how to book in on the flier.

Look forward to seeing you there!

Prayer Update November 2023

Thankyou for your ongoing prayers.

PLEASE GIVE THANKS FOR

· We have had a tremendous response for our online Collective Worship – “Together!” on 29th November. There will be over 50 screens on one Zoom call. Give thanks and pray that our Advent theme represents Jesus well to these children. This includes new schools that The Joy Foundation will be supporting for the first time.

· New church support. We have had both new churches and individuals that are interested in supporting TJF through prayer and finance. TJF constantly needs new sources of support as we continue to be on the frontline of mission and face increased costs.

PLEASE PRAY FOR

· Please may I ask you to pray for local schools that are suffering from recent flood damage, especially Redwood Primary School in Waddington. The school is enduring severe disruption. Pray for their needs and that TJF’s ongoing, weekly support is a help to them.

· Please keep praying for our witness to both children and staff. We are aware that we are sometimes a lone Christian influence and that carries a great opportunity and responsibility.

· And finally, a repeat from last month ….Our Steering Group. We have had new members over this past year, but we are now seeking someone to step forward to be Chairperson.

Please make a note that our annual fundraising quiz is on Saturday 18th November, 7.30pm at Leslie Manser Primary School.. Please let Andy know if you are bringing a team along. 8 people in a team – see the attached flier.

Thank you for your support.

It’s that time of year again!

Come and join us for a great fundraising evening. Details of how to book in on the flier.

Look forward to seeing you there!

Prayer Update October 2023

It is great to have you praying for local children and the work of The Joy Foundation. Thankyou

PLEASE GIVE THANKS FOR

· We have been in all 24 of our schools in September. Give thanks for a warm welcome back into these and for opportunities to share about Jesus

· We have been welcomed into Welton St Mary’s Primary School for the first time and this has led to them asking TJF to lead a monthly Collective Worship. Give thanks too for new support being given to Fiskerton primary School.

· Our finances show that we have not lost money this past year! Give thanks that we have been financially supported well enough to continue our work.

PLEASE PRAY FOR

· We are leading three Zoom Collective Worships for multiple schools, called “Together!”, throughout this school year. Our prayer is that these speak again into children’s lives and that also new schools can be engaged through this platform.

· We are also looking to engage with other new schools in the Lincoln area. Pray that first contact is a good contact.

· Our Steering Group. We have new members over this past year, but we are now seeking someone to step forward to be Chairperson.

Please make a note that our annual fundraising quiz is on Saturday 18th November, 7.30pm at Leslie Manser Primary School. Please let Andy know if you are bringing a team along. 8 people in a team – see the attached flier.

Thank you for your support.

We are looking forward to this. Can you join Andy?

We are looking forward to the Transform prayer breakfast this Wednesday 4th October, 7am - 8am at Bridge Central, Portland St, LN5 7NN.

This month, Andy Housam of The Joy Foundation will be leading us in prayer for Education. It’s so good to pray for our children at the start of a new academic year!

There is free parking for the duration of the meeting, just remember to use the iPad in reception to log your car registration.

All welcome.

This is amazing! Thank you Life Kids - you rock! 👏🏼🙌🏼

This is our last prayer update for this academic year. Many things to be thankful for and lots to look forward to.

PLEASE GIVE THANKS FOR
· All the opportunities that we have had in this past, busiest ever year to tell young children about the love of God.
· Most of our work in schools is already booked in for next academic year already. Schools have indicated that the support that The Joy Foundation brings is highly valued and much needed.
· Several people have or will be holding individual fundraising events over the summer. As well as this churches have given support through Giving Days when Andy has spoken at their Sunday services.

PLEASE PRAY FOR
· The impact that we can have over these last weeks of term. It is a time of preparing for change ready for change, but children have mixed emotions with these changes. The Joy Foundation has many opportunities in school to help children understand that God wants them to know his love and support.
· New opportunities for next year. A door may be opening into new areas of work that we could offer schools. Please pray for wisdom and confirmation over new developments.
· People, especially the children! Many are hot and tired and ready for a break, but there is always much happening in schools. Pray they have ears to hear God’s voice in amongst all of this

As noted above, we are seeking individual people that are willing to host a small fundraising event of their own sometime over this summer. If you are willing to do this and seek to raise even a small amount, please do contact Andy.

Thank you for your support.

This tasty looking afternoon tea fundraiser for The Joy Foundation raised £140! Thank you Teresa Duncan for organising it. A few friends having a lovely afternoon - could you help us raise some much needed funds with your own small event?

We are full steam ahead with all things Joy Foundation again. We are having a fantastic term, with many things happening. Thank you so much for your ongoing prayers.

PLEASE GIVE THANKS FOR

· Ongoing, regular involvement with 23 local schools

· Schools already asking and wanting The Joy Foundation to continue our input for next academic year

· Financial needs starting to be answered with two recent successful grant applications, churches agreeing to hold Giving Days and individual people arranging their own small fundraising events for TJF

PLEASE PRAY FOR

· We have another joint online Collective Worship for schools on 5th July. Our first one was a great success and this second one has been requested by schools

· Confirmation from all schools that they would like TJF to continue into next academic year

· As ever, finance remains a prayer point. Please pray that our needs are met through grant applications, individual and church support, fundraising initiatives etc

We are seeking individual people that are willing to host a small fundraising event of their own sometime over this summer. If you are willing to do this and can raise even a small amount, please do contact Andy.

Thank you for your support.

As we go into the new summer term, we would like to give thanks for what we have been able to do over the last few months

PLEASE GIVE THANKS FOR

· Our first ever Joint Schools Online Collective Worship was a great success with around 2000 children joining us and requests being made for us to repeat this event on a regular basis.

· All these children plus many others heard the Easter message being presented to them as we toured around nearly all of our 23 schools

· A new term full of opportunity. We are already just about fully booked in schools, have a new promotional video to show people and have new ideas to pursue.

PLEASE PRAY FOR

· As ever, please pray for the children that we serve. Pray for eyes, ears and hearts to be open to the messages that we bring.

· Our Celebration Event had to be cancelled owing to low ticket sales, but we must find new ways to raise funds. We are seeking people to hold small events with their friends and family, hoping that many events will make a big difference.

Thank you for your support.

This was fun yesterday! Thanks for joining us and thank you to St Peter at Gowts for hosting us so well.

Your prayers and support are highly valued and much needed. Thankyou

We continue to have many great opportunities to witness for Christ in local schools, so please do keep praying.

PLEASE GIVE THANKS FOR
· 13 schools have signed up for our first ever Joint Schools Online Collective Worship on Friday 24th March. We have an Easter theme of “Everybody Counts”. The schools are looking forward to joining together with others and sharing these Christian values
· The ongoing generosity of people and God’s provision that allows us to keep going

PLEASE PRAY FOR
· The witness opportunities we have in schools this Easter term. Leading up to Easter we have schools asking us to present about Easter, which we gladly accept!
· Protection over our staff. We often sense that we are under some sort of attack because of what we do. Pray for resilience, health and humility.
· Our Celebration Event on 25th March – details below. Pray that people come, have a great evening and much needed funds are raised.



TJF CELEBRATION EVENING

Saturday 25th March – 7.30pm

Bridge Central, Portland Street

An evening of entertainment, fundraising and celebration of The Joy Foundation

We are auctioning Easter Fayre as part of this event. If you are willing to bake, make or prepare something that can be a part of this auction, please contact Andy.

Tickets £5 – contact Andy to confirm tickets or purchase them at

www.eventbrite.com/e/the-joy-foundation-celebration-tickets-483018209467

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GIVING DAY

We are now altering our Giving Day so that individual churches hopefully have Giving Days that coincide with an annual TJF presentation to the church.

Many thanks

Happy New Year to you all. We say a prayer that you all know God’s blessing and peace this coming year.

Wonderfully, we have a full diary of engagements again this term, with us involved in 22 different schools. We are very aware of the huge privilege, responsibility and opportunity this provides, so please do continue your prayers.


PLEASE GIVE THANKS FOR

· Financial, voluntary and prayer support that enables The Joy Foundation to continue and be a blessing to local children

· Schools still being open to Christian involvement.



PRAY FOR

· Please pray for us each day – we are in school everyday of the term apart from Fridays which we use as a planning/ preparation/ sort out everything day

· The Joy Foundation weekend 24th – 26th March

· Friday 24th is the first ever joint schools Collective Worship. We are hoping that most of the schools that we are involved with will join us over Zoom to celebrate an Easter message of “Everybody counts”. 15 are already signed up.

· Saturday 25th March 7.30 The Bridge Church TJF Celebration Event -see details below

· Sunday 26th March TJF Giving Day – we are hoping as many churches and individuals as possible will financially give to The Joy Foundation

· Our hope over this weekend is that we serve local children, we raise awareness of The Joy Foundation and we raise £2000 to support our ongoing costs

· PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SUCCESS OF THIS WEEKEND. ALSO THAT WE FIND TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR VIDEO PRODUCTION AND FOR SOUND/ PICTURE PROVISION FOR OUR JOINT SCHOOL COLLECTIVE WORSHIP

TJF CELEBRATION EVENING

Saturday 25th March – 7.30pm

Bridge Central, Portland Street

An evening of entertainment, fundraising and celebration of The Joy Foundation

We are auctioning Easter Fayre as part of this event. If you are willing to bake, make or prepare something that can be a part of this auction, please contact Andy.

Tickets on sale from the end of January