Hello Beth-Biri Family,
Happy 2024! We have spent these few weeks of the new year reflecting, dreaming, and planning with the Lord, and we are excited to share with you what the next few months have in store at 1 O’Connell Street, West End!
In the lead-up to our Welcome Back Dinner, God started to move and prepare our foundation for the year. So, let’s jump into what’s happening…
Beth-Biri: A Dedicated Community Space
- Leaders Zach and Jael’s Move: Beth-Biri will be solely a community space for the first time! Two of our leaders, Zach and Jael, have moved nearby, which means more room for creativity and gatherings at Beth-Biri while keeping our caretaking leaders close.
The Caretaker’s Space Transformation
- New ‘Op’portunities: The space where Zach and Jael used to reside, attached to Beth-Biri, is brimming with potential. We’re exploring transforming it into a team office/working area or an exciting new creative project. Stay tuned for more updates!
Leadership Team 2024
- New Responsibilities and Roles: Our leadership team this year features Zach, Jael, Mel, Anthony, and Eloise, each stepping into their new roles with enthusiasm and dedication.
Space Revamp
- ‘Read & Seek’ Room: The former office area is being transformed into the ‘Read & Seek’ room. It’s designed to be a quiet space for reading, creative pursuits, and peaceful time with God.
- Downstairs Area: The downstairs area isn’t just for Discipleship Dinners. Expect game nights, movie evenings, and jam sessions in the second half of the year!
The Mangrove House
- A Home for Our Team: Next door, formally known as the Mangrove, will now be used exclusively for our team members, interns, and volunteers.
- Over 30s: The Mangrove came when we needed to serve our young adult and men’s communities with extra space. However, we felt it was time to host more open-age events at 1 O’Connell Street again, with all our prayer, worship, and Sunday Creative Spaces being open to all. Saturdays will remain for young adults, but reach out if you are over 30 and want to connect with us and share in a day of Sabbath rest.
Our New Opening Hours & Weekly Events:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: Prayer + Worship 6:30-8:00 PM (Open to all)
- Wednesday: Theatre Writing Workshops 6-8 PM (18-30s, weekly, starting Feb 14)
- Thursday: Prayer + Worship 10-11 AM (Open to all)
- Friday: Acting Workshops 6-8 PM (18-30s, 1st and 3rd Friday of the month, starting Feb 16)
- Saturday: Worship 11 AM-12 PM (Open to all), Young Creative’s Space 12-6 PM (18-30s)
- Sunday: Paper Play – Collage and Zine Making 11 AM-1:45 PM (Open to all)
Theatre Writing and Acting Workshops at Beth-Biri
Starting soon for 18-30-year-olds, one of our interns, Emily will host two new workshop series designed to ignite your creativity and hone your skills in scriptwriting and acting.
Theatre Writing Workshops: Crafting Stories on Stage
- When: Every Wednesday, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM, starting February 14th
- What to Expect: Dive into the world of theatre writing, where you can explore and practice scriptwriting. Whether starting from scratch or improving your skills, these workshops are the perfect place. We’ll cover the basics of scriptwriting, experiment with different techniques, and provide constructive feedback to help develop your storytelling abilities. Emily aims to create a relaxed and supportive environment where your scriptwriting talent can flourish.
Acting Workshops: Bringing Scripts to Life
- When: 1st and 3rd Friday of the month, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM, beginning February 16th
- What to Expect: These sessions are about practising and enhancing your acting skills through fun games and engaging activities. A unique feature of our workshops is the integration of scripts created in our writing workshops — giving writers and actors a fantastic opportunity to collaborate and see their work come to life. Whether you want to master specific acting techniques or you are diving in head first, these workshops cater to various interests and skill levels. Let Emily know if you have specific acting areas you want to explore, and we’ll tailor the sessions to meet your needs.
Embrace this chance to collaborate, create, and perform in a community that values and nurtures young creative talents.
Connect with us on Messenger!
- Workshops Group: For those interested in our Theatre Writing and Acting workshops, connect with fellow creatives in our Beth-Biri Workshops Messenger Group. You’ll find details about upcoming sessions, share ideas, and collaborate here.
We’re excited about what 2024 holds for our community at Beth-Biri. Thank you for being part of our creative journey and growth.