“It wasn’t a common sight on Turriff Street on Sunday for anyone passing by to see a group of children, aged 3 to 12, from Glasgow SDA church, cleaning up litter on a very busy street,” Pastor Claudiu Popescu said. The church and its surroundings were left spotless on Sunday, 17th March 2024, as about 30 people, 10 Adventurers included, volunteered for the clean-up day.
After the opening prayer, volunteers quickly split into two groups - one group entered the church premises while the other spread out across Turriff Street and the church surroundings with litter pickers and bin bags on the hunt for rubbish.
Outside, a couple of adults, along with the Adventurers, lifted discarded bottles, cans, crisp packets, and other trash left along the street. It was a great occasion for the Adventurers to complete their Community Helper Award. The children enthusiastically carried out their tasks and were happy they were making a difference. The day was rewarding in more ways than one; not only were they pleased by the passers-by’s compliments, but one of the most fascinating moments was when they cheered and shouted “hooray!” after filling up their very first bin bag. The weather was less than ideal, but the volunteers managed to clear up a dozen bags worth of waste despite the rain.
Those inside church cleared and rearranged storerooms and cabinets, cleaned the corridor to ensure the fire exit is free from trip hazards. They dusted, scrubbed, and scoured the kitchen, vacuumed carpets in the different rooms, and rearranged seats in the sanctuary. Under the coordination of church member Ogechi Uchechukwu, Adventurers in the children’s rooms were engaged in pencil sharpening and the sorting out of the Sabbath School and Adventurer Club’s learning material.
The clean-up day ended with a fundraising event. The Adventurer Club sold treats to raise funds in support of their ABE (Adventurer Bible Experience) team. The seven members of the Glasgow ABE team came first throughout all the stages of the ABE testing. Starting at the local church level to the British Union Conference level, earning entry into the final event, which will take place in Rotterdam at the Trans-European Division level on 13th April 2024.
Tiffany Mbiba, Secretary/Treasurer of Glasgow Church, emphasised the significance of the fundraising event for the Adventurer trip to Holland. Drawing from her own experience in a PBE team, she highlighted the profound impact such experiences have on spiritual development. Expressing satisfaction with the outcome, she extended gratitude to all participants and donors. Additionally, she commended the children for their diligent efforts during the clean-up event. “Every child portrayed the values of being a happy helper and a cheerful servant of God” she commented.
Pastor Claudiu said to be very proud of the Adventurers as he commented: “Their great success at the Bible experience in Aberdeen two Sabbaths ago and their strong determination to continue the competition at the Division level in Holland made them use the church cleaning day as a fundraising opportunity in support of their trip to Amsterdam.” The Pastor shared the very positive feedback received from the Council, the local community and church members. He concluded: “They were able to raise £181.15! All I can say is that where there is a will, there is a way.”
After last Sunday’s fundraising efforts, the club is looking forward to raising more funds to support these 7 Adventurers and their coach for a memorable experience at the ABE-TED testing level trip to Holland next month.
