Monday 3 October 2011

A reminder that our next gathering for MEN will be this Friday when we will hold a sports quiz and a fish and chip supper alongside that. HOWEVER you need to book your supper beforehand, so please do so through Gerry Slessenger or Roger Moore. Many Thanks
 HARVEST CELEBRATIONS were led by the Birmingham Citadel Songsters of The Salvation Army. The hall was beautifully decorated by June Belcher, and helped set the excitement for the day. During the first song the children brought in their gifts of fruit and vegetables which added beautifully to the display. The hall was very full of church members and friends gathering together to worship, and we had a very special gathering together. Following this some of our own members and friends, with some from Birmingham, went into the local streets and while the band played, other knocked on doors to invite people to come back and enjoy the afternoon praise meeting. Some did indeed respond. 140 then shared together a Harvest Festival Meal and as the weather was so beautiful, we were able to serve many people in our garden seated. The afternoon praise meeting then followed, and it was another great meeting. Our own singing group was featured, and they also at the end unted with Birmingham musicians to sing a united song.

Thanks were expressed at the end of the weekend for the work of our own captains, alongside the rest of the team. We recognise June Belcher who sorted the billets, Sheila Jannels who sorted the welcome tea, Jackie Fisher who sorted the welcome meet and greet, Michael Nye who arranged so much of the weekend himself, Sandra Thomas who arranged the last tea, and all those in between.

Our gift day saw over £1600 gifted to support the mission of our own church and also 25% to be gifted to mission projects throughout the London South East Division. We thank God for this too.
THE SATURDAY EVENT for OCTOBER took us to the Brighton Road Baptist Church for an evening musical festival with the Birmingham Citadel Songsters. The event saw about 300 people gather to enjoy and be blest through the music. Over £400 was collected in a love offering during the evening.