The need to hear others story.

In the last month we've been really blessed to have a few visitors to out team meetings , these visitors have had different experiences of church planting and been really helpful at helping us reflect on our story and as we' ve listento their story it's helped inspire and challenge us.

Now I not saying we're going to copy what they have done. ( there is far too much blind coping of what others do in the vain hope it will bring a more successful church to the copier if you ask me) but it can be so helpful in understanding what god is up to and what the potenatal highs and Lows are. And to help you see the weaknesses of what we' re doing.

So who from outside you context are you allowing to speak and share.

What someone made with my marrow!

Calories 4 Jesus

This week in the name of mission I've consumed the following.

1 pint of Guinness in the pub on Sunday night
1 team meal with team and Juliet k and simon jones from urban expression who can to support and encourage us.

1 team meal with team and someone who is prayfully considering join the team. Please pray for them.

1 full English with dad who's life is a little crazy at the moment.



10 grapes with kids while doing crèche 4 self esteem group. ( alison had a Huge choc biscuit, while doing the first session.

Coffee with the local head of the family support team.

Dinner with the dads from the dads group which we eat in the middle of the session.
( we also ate the left overs afterwards while watching the second half of the football. )

Coffee and some amazing biscuits with the head of the local voluntary agency support group who was so help in helping me think about what to do about the way we should proceed with our legal status.

It's amazing what a little food and drink can achieve.

Peace I give you

Ok so most people who know me know I don't usually bring peace, I usually bring noise ( amazing sense of humour & very wise insights) however in the last year I've started to see what being a person of peace in the mist of hurting and chaos can mean and I now long to share the peace of Jesus at communion ( or any other meal or setting). To be honest I've always found that moment at communion a little awkward. You talk to your mates , and people who don't really know or like you look at the ground or up to the heavens to avoid eye contact. However imagine that sharing the peace was a blessing that in the mist of hurt , pain, rejection and sadness & loneliness. You could prayer over someone and bless someone hoping the the peace of Jesus helps and comforts them in their place of pain. Now I know loads of Christians and not yets that need that prayer and need people of peace at more than just communion.

The peace of Jesus be with you.

R.

Last harvest!

The last harvest of the year! I know sad,

Change of plan!

Things aren't always as good as they first seemed,so were going to change our first gathering to be a meal at which we invite those we know to come and influence what type of church we have and what they think would work locally.

We're going to have this on the 4th nov, as a team we feel this is more caring to local community rather than importing a church model. After this we seek to honour what people suggest.
R

Please pray for these new things

After a year of getting to know Harold hill and it's people we are in place where we are making some responses to what is emerging in our new friendships.

So please pray for these:

• The self esteem gathering called 'delight'. The main aim of this is to is to give mums an opportunity to look at what is coursing them low self esteem and the Christian response to these issues.

• We will be holding our first gathering on Thursday 14th of October. It will be a family meal/worship/craft/ being thankful to God. Were inviting all the people/ families we know.

• Community meal: on Thursdays we are now going to have a drop in community meal, starting at ours, the aim to help build community for these how don't have any. and about once a month we will do a 'church' type gathering

• Steve has started college, and Alison has now been trained in the same parenting course I have.

• I have started another parenting course for dads only, as ever there are some great dads with amazing stories, real wisdom needed.

Of course none of this may work. But our prayer is 'Lord your kingdom come & build your church'


Many thanks for you prayers.