An End of Year message from the Chair of Trustees

Greeting to all our Hubs, Acorn supporters, followers, families and friends.  As we prepare to mark the celebration of Christmas, I wanted to share some thoughts with you as the year closes.

In 2024 we enjoyed our conference in Leicester where we hosted up to 80 and heard a remarkable address from Bishop Martin.  But we sadly had to announce the departure of our beloved Wes who formally leaves us on the 31^st Dec.  I have already written to him on behalf of all of us thanking him profusely for his energies and dedicated service to Acorn and wishing him well as he undertakes surgery and recovery beyond.

Being a busy time of year for the clergy, the impetus to recruit a new Director of Ministry has slackened slightly.  Into the new year we shall increasingly apply resources to advertising getting a better return for our money.  This will enable us to look forward to being able to announce a successful candidate in due course.

We also have had to say goodbye to Sue, our intercessor.  Again, I have written on behalf of us thanking her for all that she’s done for us and wishing her well.  We have already identified a new development for Intercessory prayer for Acorn, which is a crucial role in supporting volunteers, staff, and Trustees. We look forward to sharing this with you in the New Year.

In the New Year we also look forward to launching a theme of fundraising.  I shall shortly be writing to our supporters and sponsors thanking them for their contributions.  I’ll also take this opportunity to ask for an uplift where possible.  The Trustees will also look farther afield to try and identify other new opportunities by engaging with other Christian Trusts and business sources.  Augmenting this we shall soon be generating more localised fundraising initiatives such as silent auctions, and perhaps more.

With the birth of His son 2 millennia ago, it gave mankind hope.  That hope still passes down through time to us all today, I share in this hope in that Acorn will flourish in 2025 to appoint a new Director of Ministry, establish more Hubs and bring healings to all in need.  May I take this opportunity to thank you all sincerely for your patience with the changes in place, your support for each other and our Hubs, your generous giving towards Wes’ departure from Acorn and your healings passed to those in need throughout the year.

With blessing poured out in abundance, love, joy and peace, have a very Merry Christmas and Happy 2025.

Gordon Sykes-Little

Chair of Trustees, Acorn