capturing some of the things that made Kids Celebration Sunday so special

GOD MADE ME, was the theme and focus for our KIDS CELEBRATION SUNDAY. In celebration of the past year over forty prizes were given out (sadly not everyone could be with us), and we celebrated 40 children attending KIDS ALIVE CLUB on Fridays, and up to 20 on a Sunday. The celebration not only included the prizegiving, which also saw prizes given to the childrens ministry team, but also time for creative worship in song and other things, and a time of prayer at the end of the meeting which saw many coming to thank God for their lives. The gathering concluded with a BBQ and buffet which was enjoyed by all who gathered. We thank God for our children and their families.

To conclude a really successful year of CHATT A BOX, a beach party was held to close the year. Although the weather was a lot cooler, many enjoyed the extra specal activities arranged. CHATT A BOX now breaks until the 3rd week of September. We are grateful to those who have made this year possible. A reminder that if you wish to have a place for the new year then you need to get your name down now, for either the thursday or friday session or both. Already there are a great number of names down, so do not hesitate. We are grateful for the cards and chocs that many have given to us to acknowledge their thanks. Thank you for making the group so special.

Fifty people from Crawley and Horsham attended the Divisional Fiesta, arranged by DHQ, and again held at the Hawthorns School in Bletchingly. A whole day of music, worship, prayer, praise and so much more was enjoyed, and the weather was amazing. Our own drama group took part in the afternoon adult ministries rally, which was great, and we are also grateful to those from Horsham who helped with tasks throughout the day as well. It is estistamed over 600 people attended the day, double what was expected. Further information will follow over the weekend.

GOD CREATED FUN party concluded the end of the first full term of KIDS ALIVE, and saw a great event for kids and the team to enjoy games and food together.

In her address, Captain Susan encouraged us to not look back, but look towards the goal, because other wise we are drained of energy and can totally loose direction, she said. Exploring words from Phillippians, she looked at the importance of keeping our eyes fixed on the goal and aiming well, but recognised that we might well have missed the goal over the years - but how God does not hold back our purpose and plan within His will and purpose. Captain Ian led the meeting, which featured songs:- Wake Up O Sleeper, Shine Jesus Shine (Chorus), Be Happy, In Christ alone, What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought. Michael and Jackie shared their music ministry with us; and we celebrated the welcoming into membership of Sandra Beech. We thank God for all He did among us today.

A good number of the church travelled to Westminster Central Hall in London to celebrate the commissioning of the new officers in the Salvation Army. The event featured the world leaders of The Salvation Army and the UK leaders. Our main reason for wanting to support was to celebrate with our 'cadet' Mark Cotterill, who had shared a year of sunday placements with us. God moved powerfully throughout the day and we were thrilled to be a part of it.

Major Andy Cox, divisional director for evangelism, led our MISSION SUNDAY, with the theme and focus Being and Doing. We enjoyed a Sunday Feast to follow, cooked beautifully by Sandra Crawford, and then the major shared something or an exciting development we as a church are part of. We are grateful to God for another blessed day.

The Kettering Songsters of The Salvation Army shared an evening of music and song at our church. We are grateful to Vic and Sheila Jannels for arranging this really special evening.

The Friendship Club enjoyed an afternoon Garden Party at the home of Marion and Les Daniels

Chatt-a-Boxers enjoyed a summer outing to Tillgate Park in Crawley

Home and Family Sunday concluded the month of June, and was led by Maureen Ross, our divisional family officer. Captain Ian was on divisional duties. Crawley SA joined us for our monthly united service which was great. The meeting featured various members of our home and family ministry groups. Following the meeting a number went to the local park to enjoy a picnic and some games together.

During our meeting George Moses Belcher, the grandson of corps sergeant major trevor, and corps treasurer june, was celebrated in a short service of thanksgiving led by Captain Sue.

YOUTH MINISTRIES DEVELOPMENT

What an exciting week for our youth!


Reflections, a group for young adults, met on Friday at our house to discuss what we want to do together on a regular basis. After pizza, a chat and a little football, a consensus was made that we’d like to start a musical group and combine this with a cell group, learning more about the bible and prayer. So our plan is that from the first Friday in July we will meet every Friday. On the 1st and 3rd of the month we’ll have our meetings at the hall and we’ll start with 20 minutes bible study and prayer then we’ll start our musical ‘jam’. Practice and Worship linked together in an informal Praise for 40 minutes. We intend to play contemporary Christian music and hope to share this with you all on Sundays as soon as we’re good enough! On the 2nd and 4th Friday we’ll meet elsewhere to join together in fellowship either going out – cinema, bowling, playing games in the park or at our house to do a film night. If you FEEL like a young adult (regardless of how old you are!!) please come along and join us on July 2nd at 7.45 for 8.00 and, if you can, bring an instrument to join our playing if not we need singers too!

On Sunday after the meeting you may have noticed Kate stealing away all the older children and shutting them into the coffee lounge! This is our new youth group “Youth Matters”. We will meet together on Sundays after the meeting to study the bible and learn about being a Christian in what can be very testing times for our young people. We plan to have fun whilst learning!

Please support our youth, we’ve been there and know how hard it can be! Ask them how their group is going, what they’ve been learning! They all love to share and as we all talk together we’ll get to know and support each other in the love of Jesus.

God Bless

Kate and Scott Gregory

YOUTH MATTERS

A group for tweenagers has started at our centre from 12noon in our coffee lounge. The group is led by our new youth officers, Scott and Kate Gregory. Everyone is very welcome to attend

THE UPPER NORWOOD BAND OF THE SALVATION ARMY led Sunday Worship on 20th June, in a hall that was packed full of people, including more new faces. Various people took responsibility for the Sunday morning meeting, before the band enjoyed a meal prepared by June Belcher. During the afternoon the band shared music on the bandstand in Horsham Park, which attracted a good number, and an opportunity for community hymn singing was also enjoyed. As always thank you those who have been a part of this day, and to our corps sergeant major Trevor, for arranging this.

The Friendship Club enjoyed a strawberry tea as part of their programme on Friday afternoons.

On Saturday 13th June some of our church enjoyed a day out in Eastbourne, and then in the evening attended the Divisional Prayer Wave event at the corps in Eastbourne.

Sunday 13th June

Captain Susan led a very powerful time of worship this morning, using songs including For the beauty of the earth; He is the Lord and He reigns on High; Over all the earth; Send a New Touch of Power; Great is the Darkness; Blessed Lamb of Calvary.

Captain Ian spoke on Acts 1: 8 - AND YOU SHALL HAVE POWER WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT COMES ON YOU - and we explored how we needed the Power of God within us to be the people God has called us to be.

Hospital Care:- this week Eric Day entered hospital, Ted Longhurst had a stroke and has been admitted to Guildford hospital, Ruth Deevoy is in Redhill having had a knee replacement. Please remember them all in your prayers and their loved ones.

Tuesday 10th June: our hall was packed for the service for thanksgiving for the life and influence of Trisha Reay. Captains Ian and Susan led the service, supported by various people who shared their own reflections, including previous corps officers, Major Kevin and Captain Catherine Rand and our own Marion and Les Daniels. Beth Reay spoke on behalf of the family. A tea was held back at our church afterwards.