11 Sep 2026, 09:59Beverley Thompson-Francis, Community Services LeaderBristol, Bristol, England, United Kingdom
Be The Light: Bristol Central SDA Recognises Community Service
Inaugural Community Recognition Awards bring church, civic leaders and the wider community together
On Sabbath, 5 September 2026, Bristol Central Seventh-day Adventist Church opened its doors for a very special occasion — its inaugural Community Recognition Awards, held as part of a Community Services Day under the theme “BE THE LIGHT.”
Drawn from the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:14, “You are the light of the world,” the theme reflected the purpose behind the day: to recognise people who are making a positive difference in the lives of others and, at the same time, demonstrate the Church's commitment to taking the love of Christ beyond its walls and into the community.
One of the most encouraging features of the occasion was the number of visitors who came through the doors of Bristol Central. Looking across the congregation, it appeared that a significant proportion of those present were visitors — bringing together church members, families, friends, community representatives and civic guests.
Among those attending were the Lord Mayor of Bristol, Councillor Yassin Mohamud, Lord Rees of Easton and St. Pauls OBE; Neighbourhood Inspector Thomas Tooth of Avon and Somerset Police and a representative from the local radio, Ujima.
The presence of so many people from outside the congregation made the day about much more than presenting awards.
It provided Bristol Central with an opportunity not only to welcome its community into the church, but also to share copies of Steps to Christ with guests and to demonstrate that the Church sees, values and appreciates those who are working to improve the lives of others.
Community Services Leader Beverley Thompson-Francis, who initiated the Awards, explained:
“I thank God for the opportunity not only to share Steps to Christ with our guests, but also to show our community that we see and acknowledge those who are making a positive impact among us.”
Six individuals had been nominated for recognition by members of the church and wider community.
Lynn Mareno, Andrew Hartley, Michael Lloyd Earle and Poku Pipim Osei were recognised for their contributions in areas including community life, health and wellbeing, mentoring and supporting young people, and received Certificates of Recognition.
The inaugural Community Recognition Awards were presented to Cynthia Barnett and Serena Wiebe — two women from different generations whose lives demonstrate that there is no age at which we begin, or finish, making a difference.
A lifetime of service
Cynthia Barnett, known affectionately to many as “Missionary Barnett,” “Mother Barnett” and “Community-Minded Mrs Barnett,” has spent much of her life caring for and serving others.
Her contribution has included supporting families, establishing community and Sunday School outreach, feeding people experiencing homelessness, visiting people in hospitals, care homes and prisons, nursing, missionary work and countless practical acts of kindness.
Her recognition was also a special family occasion. One member of Mrs Barnett's family travelled from the United States especially to be present for the Award.
Cynthia's example of service began with the influence of her mother in Jamaica, a local midwife known for helping those in need. Many decades later, that spirit of service can also be seen in the contributions her children make within their own communities.
Making a difference now
Serena Wiebe represents another generation of community leadership.
What began six years ago as work experience with Empire Fighting Chance developed into a commitment to mentoring and advocating for young people across Bristol.
Her voice has since reached national and international platforms concerned with youth violence and safer communities. She has worked alongside King Charles III and Idris Elba in efforts to tackle knife crime, participated in discussions at Downing Street and contributed to work surrounding youth policy.
Her contribution has already received national recognition through the British Empire Medal for services to young people.
Yet at the heart of Serena's work remains something much closer to home: listening to, supporting and advocating for young people in Bristol.
Together, Cynthia and Serena illustrated one of the day's central messages: service has no age limit.
The person helped by that service may one day be our own child, grandchild, relative or friend. When individuals work to strengthen their communities, ultimately, we all benefit.
Taking the message further
Following the Awards Ceremony, the day's theme continued into Divine Service with visiting speaker Pastor Nerine Barrett, South England Conference Community Services and Sabbath School Director.
Her presence was particularly fitting for a day centred upon community ministry and the challenge to “BE THE LIGHT.”
The day also highlighted Bristol Central's developing vision of becoming increasingly a church without walls — a church that does not simply gather for worship but seeks opportunities to engage with, serve and build relationships within the community around it.
The initiative has already helped Bristol Central establish and strengthen relationships across civic, public and community life, including connections with the Lord Mayor's Office, parliamentarians, local government, policing, the magistracy and community media, including Ujima Radio.
There was, however, an important lesson from the day.
Many community guests had come specifically for the Recognition Ceremony and consequently left before the Divine Service. For future events, consideration will therefore be given to placing a sermon or short spiritual message earlier in the programme, enabling everyone who attends to hear more explicitly the Gospel message that inspires the Church's service.
“Where do we go from here?”
The response to the inaugural Awards was overwhelmingly positive.
Church members and visitors alike described it as a lovely day, with some commenting on how different the occasion felt from other events they had attended.
Perhaps one of the clearest indications of its impact came afterwards: both church and community members suggested that the Community Recognition Awards should become an annual event. One person even proposed developing the occasion further by incorporating a community recognition dinner.
But the question for Bristol Central is bigger than simply deciding when to hold another Awards Ceremony.
Where do we go from here? What do we do next?
New relationships have been formed. People who might not otherwise have entered Bristol Central came through its doors. The Church had an opportunity to share Christian literature, to meet civic and community representatives, and, importantly, to tell people who are quietly serving others:
We see you. We appreciate you. And we thank you.
The challenge now is to build upon those relationships.
For Bristol Central, therefore, “BE THE LIGHT” was not simply the theme of a successful day. It expresses something of the kind of church we are seeking to become — a church without walls, taking the love of Christ beyond the building and into our homes, our streets and our communities.
The inaugural Community Recognition Awards may have recognised six deserving individuals, but perhaps they also opened another door between the Church and the community it has been called to serve.
BE THE LIGHT.
My Community • My Responsibility.
On Sabbath, 5 September 2026, Bristol Central Seventh-day Adventist Church opened its doors for a very special occasion — its inaugural Community Recognition Awards, held as part of a Community Services Day under the theme “BE THE LIGHT.”
Drawn from the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:14, “You are the light of the world,” the theme reflected the purpose behind the day: to recognise people who are making a positive difference in the lives of others and, at the same time, demonstrate the Church's commitment to taking the love of Christ beyond its walls and into the community.
One of the most encouraging features of the occasion was the number of visitors who came through the doors of Bristol Central. Looking across the congregation, it appeared that a significant proportion of those present were visitors — bringing together church members, families, friends, community representatives and civic guests.
Among those attending were the Lord Mayor of Bristol, Councillor Yassin Mohamud, Lord Rees of Easton and St. Pauls OBE; Neighbourhood Inspector Thomas Tooth of Avon and Somerset Police and a representative from the local radio, Ujima.
The presence of so many people from outside the congregation made the day about much more than presenting awards.
It provided Bristol Central with an opportunity not only to welcome its community into the church, but also to share copies of Steps to Christ with guests and to demonstrate that the Church sees, values and appreciates those who are working to improve the lives of others.
Community Services Leader Beverley Thompson-Francis, who initiated the Awards, explained:
“I thank God for the opportunity not only to share Steps to Christ with our guests, but also to show our community that we see and acknowledge those who are making a positive impact among us.”
Six individuals had been nominated for recognition by members of the church and wider community.
Lynn Mareno, Andrew Hartley, Michael Lloyd Earle and Poku Pipim Osei were recognised for their contributions in areas including community life, health and wellbeing, mentoring and supporting young people, and received Certificates of Recognition.
The inaugural Community Recognition Awards were presented to Cynthia Barnett and Serena Wiebe — two women from different generations whose lives demonstrate that there is no age at which we begin, or finish, making a difference.
A lifetime of service
Cynthia Barnett, known affectionately to many as “Missionary Barnett,” “Mother Barnett” and “Community-Minded Mrs Barnett,” has spent much of her life caring for and serving others.
Her contribution has included supporting families, establishing community and Sunday School outreach, feeding people experiencing homelessness, visiting people in hospitals, care homes and prisons, nursing, missionary work and countless practical acts of kindness.
Her recognition was also a special family occasion. One member of Mrs Barnett's family travelled from the United States especially to be present for the Award.
Cynthia's example of service began with the influence of her mother in Jamaica, a local midwife known for helping those in need. Many decades later, that spirit of service can also be seen in the contributions her children make within their own communities.
Making a difference now
Serena Wiebe represents another generation of community leadership.
What began six years ago as work experience with Empire Fighting Chance developed into a commitment to mentoring and advocating for young people across Bristol.
Her voice has since reached national and international platforms concerned with youth violence and safer communities. She has worked alongside King Charles III and Idris Elba in efforts to tackle knife crime, participated in discussions at Downing Street and contributed to work surrounding youth policy.
Her contribution has already received national recognition through the British Empire Medal for services to young people.
Yet at the heart of Serena's work remains something much closer to home: listening to, supporting and advocating for young people in Bristol.
Together, Cynthia and Serena illustrated one of the day's central messages: service has no age limit.
The person helped by that service may one day be our own child, grandchild, relative or friend. When individuals work to strengthen their communities, ultimately, we all benefit.
Taking the message further
Following the Awards Ceremony, the day's theme continued into Divine Service with visiting speaker Pastor Nerine Barrett, South England Conference Community Services and Sabbath School Director.
Her presence was particularly fitting for a day centred upon community ministry and the challenge to “BE THE LIGHT.”
The day also highlighted Bristol Central's developing vision of becoming increasingly a church without walls — a church that does not simply gather for worship but seeks opportunities to engage with, serve and build relationships within the community around it.
The initiative has already helped Bristol Central establish and strengthen relationships across civic, public and community life, including connections with the Lord Mayor's Office, parliamentarians, local government, policing, the magistracy and community media, including Ujima Radio.
There was, however, an important lesson from the day.
Many community guests had come specifically for the Recognition Ceremony and consequently left before the Divine Service. For future events, consideration will therefore be given to placing a sermon or short spiritual message earlier in the programme, enabling everyone who attends to hear more explicitly the Gospel message that inspires the Church's service.
“Where do we go from here?”
The response to the inaugural Awards was overwhelmingly positive.
Church members and visitors alike described it as a lovely day, with some commenting on how different the occasion felt from other events they had attended.
Perhaps one of the clearest indications of its impact came afterwards: both church and community members suggested that the Community Recognition Awards should become an annual event. One person even proposed developing the occasion further by incorporating a community recognition dinner.
But the question for Bristol Central is bigger than simply deciding when to hold another Awards Ceremony.
Where do we go from here? What do we do next?
New relationships have been formed. People who might not otherwise have entered Bristol Central came through its doors. The Church had an opportunity to share Christian literature, to meet civic and community representatives, and, importantly, to tell people who are quietly serving others:
We see you. We appreciate you. And we thank you.
The challenge now is to build upon those relationships.
For Bristol Central, therefore, “BE THE LIGHT” was not simply the theme of a successful day. It expresses something of the kind of church we are seeking to become — a church without walls, taking the love of Christ beyond the building and into our homes, our streets and our communities.
The inaugural Community Recognition Awards may have recognised six deserving individuals, but perhaps they also opened another door between the Church and the community it has been called to serve.
BE THE LIGHT.
My Community • My Responsibility.
