Wednesday
By the end of Wednesday we had all worked together to Joyfest… drum roll…
1,660 people!
On Wednesday alone 1,287 people being Joyfested was reported on our form.
This super Wednesday was probably down to two reasons:
It seems a number of Acts of Joy done on Monday and Tuesday weren’t recorded until Wednesday (keep up with the Joyfest admin, people!)
And the YMCA Exeter made it a staff activity to be spreading Joy. They did some amazing things to connect with 688 people!
If you’re doing anything, please email photos of what you’ve done to churches@joyfest.org.uk
Here are some of the things we’ve heard happened on Wednesday:
Hampers of treats and chocolates delivered to staff and students at Exeter College
Lots of delivery drivers got treats - snacks, chocolates, drinks…
Shop workers continue to be Joyfest’ed
Colleagues are being given treats - left in staff rooms or taken to their workstations
Schools of people’s children are getting treats, including lots of home-baked cakes
Existing relationships - friends, suppliers, employees - are being treated
Money was left behind the bar at a pub for free drinks - with Joyfest cards being handed out by the bar staff
A church football team covered the cost of pitch hire for the team using the pitch before them
Coffees were ‘paid forward’ in a cafe, with a Joyfest card left with the staff
Flowers were given out
Church home groups got together to give our chocolates
Ice lollies were given out at a park after school
Police, council workers, NHS staff and building contractors got Joyfested!
The reaction of people has been fantastic too - sometimes they start a little suspicious and sometimes they want to give some money, but, after a little explanation, the overwhelming response has been super positive, with people being really touched by the gesture and kindness. Sometimes the Act of Joy has been especially timely and led to wonderful moments of conversation.
