Captain Lynne Clifton, the divisional youth officer, came and spoke at our Home League Meeting today, and helped us to explore youth and some of the challenges, and joys that face them today.

We encourage everyone to attend TOGETHER, an extra gathering in february on the 19th at 6pm. We will be exploring what Prayer is and how to pray for others.

We invite you to attend the two session course GOD'S ARMY starting in March. Book now with the Captains

DON'T MISS THIS WEEKEND

SUNDAY 29TH JANUARY 2012

The hall was full for the Celebration of the enrolement of Rebecca Burtonwood as a soldier of Jesus Christ in The Salvation Army. As part of our celebration, we were taken the to yellow brick road, and reminded of the fact that Dorothy kept her eyes on the destination! Yet things knocked her off track, and the children travelled on the yellow brick road from the point of where Rebecca would sign her articles of War, so her adventure begins, but along the way things were throwned which could have knocked the children off track from following the way of the Lord. The children were reminded that we needed to stay firm and strong on our journey. Songs today included:- In the Army of Jesus we've taken our stand; Follow, Follow I will follow Jesus (chorus); I have decided to follow Jesus; Guide me O thy great Jehovah; Lord I make a full surrender. Rebecca was enrolled as a soldier and signed her Covenant before the Cross. Our recuiting Sergeant, Don Jones, shaed some words of blessing and encouragement, and people came forward to pray their own prayers over Rebecca and to encouragement her on her journey. During times of prayer, many people came forward to renew their own covenant and commitment or to make some prayer before God about their own spiritual journey. Our prayer remains for Rebecca as she continues in her discipleship journey with Christ,.

Our newest soldier, Rebecca Burtonwood

Captains Ian and Susan Woodgate were invited to attend the Induction of the new Minister of the United Reformed Church in Horsham, with Slinford. The Reverend Elaine Dunn has moved to this area from Seaford, East Sussex. The service was led by the Moderator of the URC.

an amazing breakfast cooked by the ladies, eaten by the men was served yesterday at our first men's breakfast. Nine men enjoyed this time, after which David Turner gave a short talk and presentation on the Power of God's Word and how David is involved in spread this Word through the Gideons International.

THIS SUNDAY we will be celebrating the enrolment of Rebecca Burtonwood, as a soldier of Jesus Christ in The Salvation Army. Don't miss it!

We are now taking bookings for outings for the next few months

1. Milestones in Basingstoke, in February
2. Day in Canterbury in April
3. Day in Broadstairs in June

Great days out for people of all ages. Special offer if booking all three outings.

JOIN US THIS SATURDAY FOR OUR MEN'S BREAKFAST. A great feast of food followed by an after breakfast speaker. Contact us for further information. Pre booking is essential

SUNDAY 22ND JANUARY 2012

Two months ago God laid on our hearts a need for us to place sometime aside to focus prayer on families, children and youth. We are a crucial time in that God has sent us all these generations, but we now need to be asking now, what next? The day enabled us to recognise that in it all, we are ALL called to serve the generations, and to ensure that everyone hears about the Message of Jesus Christ. Captain Susan led our morning meeting, supported by our childrens and youth ministry leadership. Songs today included:- Eternal God unchanging; Open the eyes of my heart Lord; He is the Lord and He reigns on high; Jesus taught us how to be a family; We are the hand of Christ. Two helpful video clips were shown, and a presentation of comments from families attending chatt-a-box were also shown. Our youth ministries officer had prepared a brilliant video with interviews from our children and youth, it was very helpful indeed. Several people used the Mercy Seat to pray at the conclusion of our meeting.

Whilst some made their way home or elsewhere after our meeting, a really good number of people committed to be part of this important opportunity. This was TRADITIONAL Salvation Army in the truest form - people on their knees before God. Seventeen Prayer Zones were set up around our centre, which enabled people to pray in creative and different ways. Some stayed in chairs and focussed prayer on the children as their appeared on the screen. Many shared how for them it was an emotional time, and God really blessed us. It was beautiful seeing all generations come together and engaging in this way.

Our final gathering, starting at 2pm, started with all the children standing at the front, and members of the congregation praying blessings over the children. From here we engaged in some songs of celebration, thanking GOD for what HE has done. These included:- Far and near hear the call; Praise is Rising; I am a friend of God. Karen Everest (with Barry) then spoke to us and challenged us to consider HOPE leaving the room, by a live presence of the child catcher. Yet the children returned to ask us to continue to share HOPE with this world. It was very powerful. We then concluded with the song Teach me to dance, and prayer for the divisional headquarters team who had joined with us. We thank GOD for another amazing day.

We really look forward to this special day on Sunday, from 10.30am -2.30pm. Its an important day for our church community.

This week has been very full as always. Many activities and events have taken place and we have been blessed to serve so many people in so many different ways.

HOME LEAGUE MEETING welcomed the Reverend Kath Jones, minister of the Methodist Church in Soutwater and Roffey. Rev Jones spoke about the covenant service celebrated at this time of year in the Methodist Church.

FRIENDSHIP CLUB welcomed Karen Everest from Ballard and Shortall, but as a member of our church, and now childrens ministries officer, Karen was very very welcome as our speaker. She spoke on her role as funeral coordinator, and was supported by her boss, Paul Shortall.

HOPE IN continues to evolve on a Thursday evening and so many people are finding Hope through our services. This is very exciting and we thank God for the wonderful team that has grown from this

KIDS ALIVE has seen new faces this week through a new leafleting. We have now started ACTIVATE as part of our focus this term.

THE WEEKEND VISIT OF SALVATION BRASS got our anniversary year off to a great start. Our hall was packed throughout the weekend with visitors from our town and communities, and friends from other local Corps. The musicians totally gave everything of themselves throughout the weekend, and reflected their own love for Jesus Christ. Their music expressed their faith and their experience of Him, and the way in which GOD was so much a part of their life. They brought us encouragement and blessing, and beyond that much to reflect on and be challenged through. The band arrived at 12noon on the Saturday and started with practising music for that weekend. At 4.30pm we shared in a joint tea, and then an evening musical festival, which was great. Everyone very much enjoyed it - but it was beyond that. There was a very real presence of joy and peace in His Spirit, and that was clearly reflected into the lives of those gathered. Major Richard Mingay, who with his wife leads The Salvation Army community in Sutton, accompanied the band, and brought it all together with reflection and narrative. He shared words from the Scriptures and God moved through this and brought people forward to pray.

Our own MAD group took part on Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon, and our music groups sang throughout the Sunday. All were great contributions and we are grateful to our own people for their support in this and many other ways.

After Sunday morning worship, the band with our own people went into the local streets to invite people to come to our meeting in the afternoon, and indeed some people did. We then shared a meal together and over 90 people sat and shared in a roast turkey meal. Thank you to all involved in this.

So, our first weekend has come and gone. Thank you to everyone for making this possible, but above that, thank you to all involved in SALVATION BRASS for making this possible. Special thanks to Major Mingay, and DEAN JONES the band leader who made this weekend possible.

TONIGHT Kids Alive held its first week back and we celebrated our first meeting with a Disco Party. Lots of great music, some interesting dance moves, and wonderful people and food, all helped to make it a very great occasion. Thanks for all who made it possible.

ALPHA COURSES have been held for many years now, and served many generations. We are pleased to inform you that from February, we are holding ALPHA for men, and invite all men to come and share with us. For further information contact us! Bookings forms are now available.

YOU REALLY CANNOT AFFORD TO MISS THIS, THIS WEEKEND AT HORSHAM

90TH CELEBRATION

The Celebrations

Traditionally the Home League only allows you to celebrate your 90th birthday with cake and sandwiches, and that traditional happened again this week, as Maisie Saunders celebrates her 90th on Monday next. Over twenty people gathered for the party which not only included food, but also party games. We are grateful to Maisie for having this birthday, and also to Pat Hall for arranging this.

SUNDAY 8TH JANUARY 2012

Good to see people returning after the festive holidays and today our hall was full for our celebration meeting. Sadly, though, this meeting was the meeting we bid farewell to Lieutenant Nicola who concludes her time in leadership at Crawley in the next few days. The lieutenant has been appointed as leader of The Salvation Army in Herne Bay. To start the meeting Captain Ian thanked Nicola for her ministry in Crawley and especially with our close links at Horsham and especially her support in launching childrens ministries. The children shared some words of thanks, after which people prayed for her. We were able to present Nicola with a financial gift from us. Nicola looked at the importance of us recognising what God has done and is doing, and seeking not to be too tied up in our grumbling and complaining as that takes our eyes off what God is wanting us to see and celebrate. We were encouraged not to whine but to shine, and songs included:- Immortal Invisable, We Bow Down, Wonderful Counsellor, The way its gonna be, Everyone needs compassion. The band and singing group also contributed to the meeting. At the end many people came forward and prayed before the Cross that God would enable them to shine like stars.

Later in the day, MESSY CHURCH was held at the Ifiled West Community Centre, which also focussed on shining as stars.

CVM DAY CONFERENCE

Fifteen men met together for a half day conference, led by Dean Gray from Christian Vision for Men. As part of the day Dean shared his powerful story, and then shared inspiration for the men gathered in living out their Christian Lives. There was opportunity for sharing, off loading and listening, and we are grateful to Gerry Slessenger and Roger Moore for arranging the event. After the conference we enjoyed a light lunch together