Hello Ilam!
Over here in Ilam Road this week it’s been very clear that UC is now fully back!! Lots of students, lots of noise (including the “chink” of bottles) and increasing amounts of litter 
. Along with students has come, we hear, an increasing incidence of COVID in the communities that make up UC. Omicron has landed! More than ever we need to keep ourselves safe and be very mindful of any symptoms we are feeling – and make sure we are isolating and getting tested where necessary.
Last Sunday’s Ilam in Groups meetings were well attended – it’s great to see everyone taking part and using these opportunities to get together. From what we hear, the Service Sheets are being used in different ways – which is what we were hoping. It’s not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ exercise! One of our key aims with Ilam in Groups is to bring people together and to maintain a sense of community and sharing lives. If that’s what’s happening – great!
We’re really excited this week that, with the Governance Team’s endorsement, Steph Wood has been provisionally accepted by Carey Baptist College to undertake their 3 year pastoral leadership training, commencing next week!! The practical component of the training will be her work with us on team at Ilam. I’m hoping to do a short video interview with Steph shortly to circulate to you so that you can hear from Steph about her sense of call to train.
Another Ilamite starting a new direction in life is Matt Barnes, who is embarking on studies at UC – with the aim of ultimately completing training as a primary school teacher. The newsletter has a letter from Helen and me outlining a bit more about this, and suggesting some ways that we might like to provide Matt with some practical support for this venture.
We’ve been thinking of you all – and I know that all the staff are hugely missing our weekly gatherings together. Keep in touch, let us know what you’re doing – and if you’d like to catch up for a chat, in person or remotely, please get in touch.