News In The Pews

Christmas Services

2011-12-21T23:06:00.000Z

From the Vicar... December 2011

2011-12-21T23:02:00.002Z

I wonder if you have held a baby this year? Or enjoyed gazing at a little one in their buggy or their parent’s arms? They are compelling and draw our attention like nothing else. They are a delight, a blessing and a wonder. They point to the mysterious gift of life. And it is this life we celebrate at Christmas.

‘The Word became flesh and dwelt among us’. God takes on frail and dependent flesh and blood: bone of our bone, flesh of our flesh. He loves flesh and blood. He comes and makes our bodies holy as he lives among us, one of us: and continues to do so by his Spirit dwelling in our hearts. God with us, Emmanuel. Christmas is a time to celebrate our humanity, loved and cherished by God.

So maybe instead of heeding the advice of a recent headline, ‘‘Tis the Season to be Greedy’, it is a time to care for our bodies! And to look to the well being of others and their care.

When you do your Christmas shopping how you choose gifts for those you love? How do you decide what to give them? Do you set a limit on your budget? Do you know them well and set out to buy something you know they would like or have asked for? Do you browse for inspiration? We do all sorts of things I think.

The recent research we conducted through The Children’s Society here in St Ann’s reflected the answers children give nationally. They told us that what they value most in their lives is love and time with their families and friends. What they dislike is the absence of those they love.

I wonder if the best gift we can give anyone this Christmas time, is the gift of ourselves—our time, attention, love. Perhaps this is the most costly of all gifts, and one of the hardest to give, but I suspect that it will be the most appreciated.

At Christmas we celebrate God’s giving of himself to his beloved creation—his time and presence with us. Christina Rossetti in her hymn puts our response so well. She describes our giving the gift of ourselves to to God.

‘If I were a wise man I would play my part,

But what I can I give him, give my heart.’

That is the best gift to God and to those we know.

The lasting image from Christmas shopping for me this year was a woman in a café surrounded by bags and hustle and bustle, quietly feeding her tiny baby as everything happened around her. She was completely focussed on her child. She had given her time, attention, and love. Maybe she was giving her heart.

Have a blessed Christmas, Karen

Christmas Communion

2011-12-21T22:56:00.001Z

If you know someone who is unable to get to church at Christmas and who might like to have a short service of communion with one or two people from our fellowship in their homes, please inform one of the clergy.

Thank You

Joy!

2011-12-21T22:53:00.003Z

It was an occasion of great joy when Bukky Akinrogbe and Razia Kingston were baptised and confirmed at St Nic’s Church on Sunday 27th November. A number of us where able to be at the service with them. Razia shared her story of deepening her faith in the months following the death of her grand-daughter Kinara. Both Bukky and Razia have expressed their heart felt thanks to all those in church who have made them feel so welcome and supported them on their journeys. May God bless to you both your believing and your serving.

From the Vicar

2011-09-13T23:10:00.000+01:00

The kingdom of heaven is like this. A man is looking for fine pearls, and when he finds one that is unusually fine, he goes and sells everything he has, and then goes back and buys that pearl. Matt 13:44

I wonder if you know someone like this? Someone who has a particular obsession or passion: who spends a great deal of their time and energy in pursuing something? Perhaps they are a football supporter or a collector, a music fan or workaholic. Maybe you have something which makes you feel alive to which you give your time and energy?

I was struck recently by the commitment and passion of the friends of young Kasseam Chatterie. Kasseam was 21 when he died from Ewings Sarcoma, the most common form of cancer in teenagers. His friends had been there for him throughout his illness: caring for him and spending time hanging out with him. At his funeral they followed his hearse along Brewsters Road and wore specially printed T-shirts and caps bearing his pictures or name. At the end, they filled his grave, laying him to rest and honouring him with their hard work and determination in the pouring rain. They reminded me of this pearl hunter: faithful, focussed and loyal to who (what) they treasure and value.

Pete Rollins, a leading thinker in the emerging believing communities (church) in the UK and US, poses this question. ‘Where do we find the truth about ourselves?’ Is it in our inner life and personality? Do we really know someone when we know about their private life, as the media would have us believe? Neither, he suggests. Rather the truth of us, who we truly are, is seen in what we do.

The truth of the pearl hunter is a passion for beauty, and persistence. Kasseam’s friends are loyal and there for each other. So , what might we (and others ) say is the truth of you and I? Where do we put our energy?

Jesus places a high value on curiosity. He rewards the lengths to which Zaccheus goes (risking being seen, climbing the tree) by going to his home & accepting his hospitality, and Zaccheus is a changed man. He taught using parables: stories which were not obvious , inviting the hearer to find out more, think more deeply, ask more questions, to seek. ‘Seek, and you will find.’

As we begin a new term and return to our routines, September is a chance to put some energy into who we really are: to seek to go a bit deeper; to put some effort into finding answers to our questions, and to let go of things that aren’t really consistent with who we really are, so that we can ’buy the pearl’ and take hold of what matters. Each of us is different and only you know what the ’pearl’ is at this moment in your life.

As you do so, you might find it helpful to make use of the different opportunities we have (overleaf and on the church notice board) to deepen your engaging with God and His world. Training, finding out about work with the marginalised in the city, diocesan conference, cell groups, learning new ways of praise, exploring baptism, a day about Prayer and the Holy Spirit…..

I hope these will help you to find the pearl of who you are in God’s world and the treasure that is the love of His Son, Jesus.

Karen

2011-09-13T23:02:00.000+01:00

Regularly in church

Monday 1-3pm Parent Drop-In

Tuesday 6 -8pm German Class

Thursday 10—11.30am Bounce Toddler Drop-in

Friday 9-11am Cleaning and a Cuppa

Hovering Over the Waters

2011-09-13T22:59:00.000+01:00

Hovering Over the Waters

The Holy Spirit for Everyone

A day to discover and experience living traditions of prayer

with guest speaker: The Revd Canon Dr Adrian Chatfield

Director of the Simeon Centre for Prayer and Spiritual Life.

Saturday, 1st October 2011

At Southwell Minster—9:30am for 10am until 3:30pm

Bring and share lunch

A range of workshops will be available exploring prayer

and the Holy Spirit in different Christian traditions:

Charismatic, Orthodox, Evangelical, Ignation & Benedictine

To book: catriona@southwell.anglican.org or tel 01636 817232

HARVEST FESTIVAL

2011-09-13T22:57:00.000+01:00

HARVEST FESTIVAL

October 2nd

Please bring household cleaning materials; toiletries, and non perishable foods to donate to local projects working with homeless and vulnerable people.

Diocesan Conference 2011

2011-09-13T22:54:00.001+01:00

Diocesan Conference 2011

4pm Mon 10th October– lunchtime Wed 12th October

at Swanwick Conference Centre

Workshops, worship and speakers.

Rt Revd Dr Stephen Croft, Bishop of Sheffield

Ann Morisey, Community Theologian

Palestinian Christians

Christmas Meal

2011-09-13T22:53:00.003+01:00

Christmas Meal

If you wish to come out on the church Christmas Meal on Tuesday, 13^th December, please sign the list in the Foyer.

Thank You.

Half A Sixpence

2011-09-13T22:52:00.001+01:00

26th September –1st October

by the Erewash Musical Society

(incl our Director of Music, Peter Cook)

at The Duchess Theatre, Long Eaton

Book online or

come with a group from church

(£10 ticket, incl. transport)

From the Vicar

2011-08-25T22:05:00.000+01:00

The summer break is here again - time for holidays and fewer meetings when work seems to slow down a little and there is a chance to catch up on all those important/ not urgent tasks. I wonder, if you think back, if you remember the school holidays as a child? You may remember holidays away, or long days playing with your gang of friends – in gardens, in the park, maybe in the street? I don’t know about you, but we had games going on for days: dens to build, miles to cover on our bikes, and other people’s gardens to play in. I wonder what you did? The summer stretched out forever and there was always orange squash (Sunquick - very sweet and syrupy) in the kitchen.

Research by the Children’s Society indicates that today’s children have far less freedom to go out and play (and disappear with their friends for hours) despite the actual dangers for children remaining constant with years in the past. The average child spends 6 hours a day in front of a screen, and more time indoors. And if they hang around with a group of friends they are likely to be perceived as a threat, or a gang, by adults. This raises some important questions about our changes in lifestyle, changing attitudes towards children and our expectations of them.

You may also have noticed the council are consulting about changing the pattern of the school year from 2012/13 to introduce 5 terms separated by 2 week breaks and a 4 week summer holiday. (see www.mynottingham.gov.uk/terms ) This is because many children forget their learning over the long summer; their parents have difficulties arranging childcare, and the price of holidays at peak times mean fewer families can afford a break in August. This seems to reflect a desire for the well-being of children and their families.

Here at church we have agreed to make the spiritual well being of children and families a priority, and this has been central to the task you have prioritised for me as Vicar. In the last year or so we have built our relationships with local schools and met hundreds of St Ann’s’ children as they have experienced our major festivals through Experience Christmas and Easter. In turn this has changed us – not least through the layout of the church. We have more children in church on Sundays, and a constant stream of requests for Baptism or Thanksgiving : parents seeking God’s grace and blessing on their lives and expressing their spiritual search.

In order to respond to this, and as a result of your discipleship decisions to give regularly, the PCC decided unanimously in July to appoint a part-time Children’s Worker for one year, from this September , to work with us as we seek to serve children and families in St Ann’s. The post will be advertised this month. Their role will be to build on our existing work and to develop an informal way of doing church for families – around craft, story, singing and eating tea together – called ‘Messy Church’, and probably on a weekday.

Job Opportunity

2011-08-25T22:03:00.001+01:00

Part-Time Children and Family Worker

20 hrs pw (£19K FTE)

We are looking for a creative and energetic team player who will

• believe in St Ann’s

• work on a strategy to reach and disciple children and families

• develop new initiatives including Messy Church

• work with and in primary schools to deepen spirituality and understanding about the Christian faith

• build partnerships with other organisations working with children in St Ann’s

• work with existing volunteers to deepen our Sunday Group work with children and youth

Application by 5th September 2011. Interview 15th September.

50 week fixed term contract (extension of funding possible). Must be subject to CRB Clearance. There is a genuine occupational requirement that the post-holder is a committed member of a Christian church.

For information and application pack please contact:

Revd Karen Rooms 07906 899611 roomskaren@googlemail.com

Giving Campaign 2011

2011-08-25T21:57:00.001+01:00

THANK YOU to everyone who has responded so positively to our Giving Campaign. 28 new people have pledged to give regularly and we have achieved an amazing +56% increase on our regular giving from £21,600 in 2010 to a projected £33,700 in 2012. This will give us far greater financial security and we look to expand our letting of the hall and lounge to increase our income further.

Holding Hands

2011-08-25T21:56:00.000+01:00

The Choir sings ‘Joseph’ at the Holding Hands event on the Chase in July

Vote

2011-08-25T21:50:00.001+01:00

Which name for the building on St Ann’s Well Rd?

St Ann’s Beacon

Commuserve

The Valley Centre

The Spectrum

The Valley Joint Service Centre

Place your preferred name in a ballot box in the Library, Doctors’ or Chase Neighbourhood Centre by AUG 31st.

From the Vicar

2011-04-12T21:00:00.000+01:00

It is an ancient practice of the church during Holy Week to accompany Jesus through his last days in worship, readings and reflection each day. In this way Christians can enter into the Easter experience and in some way identify with Jesus suffering, and greet the dawn of Easter with rejoicing and praise.

This year, in response to requests from two local schools, we will offer a similar experience to over 300 children as they visit the church for ‘Experience Easter’ between 7th and 15th April. In small groups they will visit different ‘stations’ around the church and explore different aspects of Jesus’ journey from Palm Sunday to Easter Day.

The church will be set out to tell Jesus’ story until Easter Saturday and I want to invite you all to come and spend some time sitting, thinking, reading and praying at the different stations, as a way of deepening your discipleship and experiencing Easter this year. Take some special time and allow Jesus to share Himself with you. Draw aside and linger in His presence. There will be readings and ideas to get you started at each station. The church will be open and quiet at different times which will be on the weekly notice sheet. As we set aside an hour to ‘stay here and keep watch’, may the Spirit open our hearts to death and life and assure us of His love.

Karen

Special Services for Easter

2011-04-12T20:56:00.000+01:00

Maundy Thursday (21st)
Joint Service at Chasewood Baptist Church

Good Friday (22nd)
10:45am—The death of Jesus Joint Service with activities for children.
12am-4pm Open Church

Easter Saturday(23rd)
11.00am Easter Bonnet Making
1pm Easter Parade

Easter Sunday (24th)
5:30am Joint Sunrise Service with Church @Community at Bluebell Hill School
10:45am Family Holy Communion
6:30 Easter Praise

What's On During April?

2011-04-12T20:35:00.000+01:00

Every Friday
‘Cleaning and a Cuppa’
9-11am

Wednesday 13th
‘Chaser Lunch Club’
12-2pm (food orders by 12:30)
Contact Ethel: 847 1019

Sunday 17th
‘Food & Thought’ - A Discussion about Women, the Bible and Ministry
12:30—2:00pm

Can You Help?

2011-04-12T20:27:00.000+01:00

FOOD MOUNTAIN

Please remember to put dried food items like rice, pasta, lentils and chick peas, in the food bin in church. This helps tide people over between different types of support and benefits.

FURNITURE & HOUSEHOLD ITEMS

Needed to furnish a new house for 5 people being opened by the Arimathea Trust. Items include garden tools, pots and pans , bedding and furniture. Check the full list on the main Notice Board.

Contact: Caron 07735 004218 to arrange to deliver or have the items collected.

Food & Thought

2011-04-12T20:24:00.000+01:00

From The Vicar

2010-12-13T11:57:00.000Z

‘Look after your neighbour the way you look after yourself.’

Jesus words calling us to give others the same attention we give ourselves, to look after others we look after ourselves, to love others the way we love ourselves have never been more important as Christmas approaches. He calls us to offer some of our loving focus, busyness, generosity and time to people who we come across who are in any sort of need (lying on the side of the road to Jericho, as it were). Which might mean offering to do some shopping for someone stranded by the weather, or sharing a meal with someone on their own , or visiting that person you’ve meant to for ages…..

We hope to welcome hundreds of children into church this Christmas time and plan to focus our energies on exploring the Christmas Story with them through activities—helping them really experience Christmas. We also plan to keep the church open as much as possible during the week before Christmas so that others in the community can come in and experience the story as well.

The simple truth that God loves flesh and blood, that he likes us and comes to be with us is always a grace to us. It is as important as ever to celebrate Christmas—Christ’s birth– confidently.

You may have come across stories of the word ’Christmas ‘ being banned or avoided for fear of offending people of others faiths. Listen to what Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra from the Muslim Council of Great Britain has said: ‘To suggest calling Christmas with its proper name and that Christmas decorations would offend Muslims is absurd. Why should Christmas not be celebrated openly and whole-heartedly …the whole planet has benefited from Christian teachings and continues to do so. Muslims would adopt all those values and moral codes without question or hesitation. Even if the Christian communities in our country were a minority, we would want Christmas to be celebrated because ours is a multi faith, multi cultural, pluralist and democratic country. Local authorities, organisations and businesses trying to avoid offending Muslims and trying to be politically correct actually cause more harm to cohesion and understanding. We have been calling on Christian friends for a long time now to reclaim Christmas from the commecialisation of it...bring back the religious and spiritual richness of Christmas’

May we do just that as this holy season approaches, welcoming Christ and our neighbours into our lives.

Wishing you all a very a very Happy Christmas.

Karen

Christmas Services

2010-12-13T11:43:00.000Z

Sunday 19th December
10:45am: Christingle Family Service
6:30pm: Carol Service by Candlelight

Friday 24th December
4:00pm: Crib Service

Saturday 25th December
10:45am: Family Holy Communion

Sunday 26th December
10:45am: Holy Communion

Sunday 2nd January
10:45am: Holy Communion

Invitation from Karen

2010-12-13T11:38:00.000Z

Please join me to celebrate my 50th Birthday on Saturday 1st January in the church hall

Chase Rock Band at 2.30pm
Tea and Cakes from 3.30pm

The Big Clear Up

2010-12-13T11:33:00.000Z

Following a meeting in November of a diverse group of St Ann’s Citizens, including Cllr Dave Liversidge, with Chris Langstaff, Chief Executive of Nottingham City Homes, an area in Ransom Road and Chandos Street has been cleared up and cleaned up. Empty properties in the area had become a focus for a number of problems. One local resident was delighted, ’ WELL DONE ALL OF YOU! I think you are an excellent team - very efficient and pragmatic!’. Mr Langstaff agreed to meet the group again and to give consideration to a number of issues that were raised. If you would like to be part of this work in the St Ann’s community please have a word with Ethel Anderson, Karen Rooms or Kevin Redmond.

Healthier & Happier Communities In Nottingham

2010-12-13T11:31:00.001Z

AFRICAN INSTITUTE FOR

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

HEALTHIER & HAPPIER

COMMUNTIES

IN NOTTINGHAM

SATURDAY 11TH DECEMBER 3-6PM

St Ann with Emmanuel Church

FOOD—BUSINESS STALLS—SPEAKERS—HEALTH INFO— HIV TEST INFO—COMMUNITY SERVICES—AFRICAN FAMILIES

Info: Amdani 07834 459076

From the Vicar...

2010-10-11T19:07:00.000+01:00

A HARVEST OF THANKSGIVING

It seems to me that there is a connection between being thankful and being happy.

In fact two psychologists, McCullough and Emmons, did some experiments to explore these links. Three groups were asked to keep a personal journal over 10 weeks. Group 1 were asked to write down the events of each day; Group 2 recorded what they felt was unpleasant each day, and Group 3 listed the things they were thankful for. It will not surprise you to know that the level of well-being in Group 3 was generally higher than in the other groups. Counting your blessings each day really does make you feel happier.

One of the tasks we have as the people of God is to develop grateful hearts, to cultivate thankfulness in our lives.

At harvest time we are reminded of the fruits of growth—shiny green cabbages, bright oranges, jewelled cobs of corn. These are the end result of the cultivation of the growers, their hard work and attention. We are reminded of the long hours in sun and cold, the effort, and the cost of keeping the crop pest free that it takes to produce such colour and good quality food.

Jesus said, ‘ A tree is known by the kind of fruit it bears’. He is talking about lives and hearts, and He invites us to attend to the garden of ourselves, and what we grow in our lives. The psalms constantly remind us to grow thankfulness,

‘Give thanks to the Lord because he is good;

His love is eternal.

Who can tell all the great things he has done?’ PS 106:1

Oprah Winfrey started one of her TV shows with the words, ’Thank You. Two words that can make miracles’ and explained how scientists had viewed gratitude as making a real difference to people’s lives. Gratitude exercises can lift our mood, raise our energy levels, and in a knock on way bring neuromuscular pain-relief from some symptoms. And those who are grateful also tend to do acts of kindness towards others—there’s a real knock on effect.

So it is no surprise then that at harvest time we revisit this wonderful grace of thankfulness in our lives. This October, why not try growing thankfulness yourself? Find a place, maybe a special little book, to write in at the close of each day. List there the things that have happened that day that you consider a blessing (‘What am I most grateful for today?’). As you count your blessings, you will find a treasure store of abundance and story that you can return to again and again.

Every Blessing,

Karen

Piety Kamuyu - our Assistant Curate

2010-10-11T19:02:00.002+01:00

During this year we have welcomed George and Jo among us as part of their training for different forms of ministry. In the same way, this October we will welcome Piety Kamuyu here as Assistant Curate.

Piety is married to Julius and they have four adult children and a grand-daughter. Piety is a banker by profession and she was ordained Deacon in Kenya in 1993, where she served for a number of years before moving to the UK. She ministered in London, before coming to Nottingham in 2004. She served as a non-stipendiary Deacon at Bilborough and Strelley, before undertaking further ministry training at St. John’s College Nottingham. She served the first two years of her curate training at Holy Trinity and the Priory Church in Lenton and joins us here in St Ann’s for her second two years. She has also been involved in charity work as a volunteer with Age Concern since she came to Nottingham.

A very warm welcome - KARIBU SANA — to you Piety.

We look forward to sharing in the task of serving this community with you in the months to come.

Ready, Set ...Glow!

2010-10-11T19:01:00.000+01:00

Confirmations

2010-10-11T18:58:00.000+01:00

We have four candidates who will be confirmed on
Monday November 1st 7.30 pm at St Andrew’s Church
Forest Road

Please pray for our candidates and come along and support them as they own their faith in a public way on this very special occasion.

Our choir will also be singing at this service.

Fashion Show

2010-10-11T18:55:00.000+01:00

Thursday 28th October in the Church Hall

Fundraising for our 25th Nottingham Guides and Scouts groups

Designer, High Street and Top Catalogue range of ladies garments at great prices.

Tickets £2.50 from Kevin Redmond and Aisleigh Webb

From the Vicar...

2010-09-14T20:28:00.000+01:00

Early in the summer a number of people were interviewed about their lives and the life of this church and their responses are one way of understanding our strengths and hopes for the future. We spoke to both young and old, men and women, recent and long standing members – THANK YOU to all those who joined in. This is a summary of what people said. Please use their words to pray, let them direct the way we do things and inform the decisions we make in the future about our life together.

People feel most alive engaged and motivated in the period when they are welcomed into and join the church. Also, when they are encouraged to participate and be involved and to use their skills. They feel supported, happy, accepted, appreciated, rooted and that they belong. A number of people talked about experiencing the particular presence of God or the Holy Spirit during a memorable worship service.
People find healing, encouragement, security, love, friendship, help, a place for their children, connection to God, strength in hard times, and understanding. The welcome and friendship of other people in the church deeply affected them, as well as different leaders, both lay and ordained.
We find we grow in faith at times of crisis and difficulty and during times of change. Our most significant time of growth is as children, teenagers and young adults with small children. Participation, involvement, and having someone who is a significant encourager helped build our discipleship, as does bible reading, study and growing in prayer.
What makes our church unique? It feels like home, a family – friendly and welcoming. The people - there is faithfulness and loyalty. The simplicity and plainness in our worship and teaching. Our work with Guides and Brownies. We have been here for a long time.
Our dreams for the future are a busy church where everyone has a part to play, serving God and the community every day of the week, with open doors so that people can come in and pray and different groups can use the building. And people spend time with folk at home who feel isolated , and groups meet in homes, and we visit places or holiday together. Greater participation in services, more music and songs, more children , more people, more relaxed, more families, more actively involved and more aware of the wider church and world.

You will notice how often the word more is used. What I see is a longing for more God, and more glory, worship and honour for God. We carry among us a real desire for the Fathers love and acceptance, the inclusion and encouragement of Jesus , and the surprising presence of the Holy Spirit in our church, in our lives and in St Ann’s. So lets build on our strengths and work with this vision together.

Karen

Morning Prayer

2010-09-14T20:25:00.002+01:00

Anyone is welcome to join us for Morning Prayer
8:30 am — 9:00 am
Weekday Mornings, Monday—Friday

25th Nottingham ‘Myths and Legends’ Centenary Adventure

2010-09-14T20:24:00.001+01:00

The Brownies and Guides would like to thank everyone who has helped them celebrate the Girlguiding UK Centenary by raising money for their trip to Northern Ireland.

The adventure went very smoothly with no ash clouds, plane delays or lost children! Every day was very busy, as we had raised enough money to do all the things we had planned and more! We will be coming to Church in October for the harvest service to tell you more of our adventure and what you helped us to achieve. Please come along and stay after the service to join us in some celebratory cake and you can ask us more about our trip.

Additionally, at the end of October we will be showing the premier of our film ‘Girl Guide Musical: A Centenary Adventure’. This will be a red carpet ceremony with the first showing of the film we have been working on since September 2009. Look out for further details in October and come celebrate the end of the Centenary with us!

Empty & Derelict Properties

2010-09-14T20:19:00.002+01:00

Empty & Derelict Properties in St Ann’s can attract antisocial behaviour, rubbish tipping and crime – and it denies people looking for homes a suitable property to live in. Responding to a number of people raising the issue a small team are researching empty and derelict houses during September, in order to get quicker action to restore them back into the housing stock.

If you have an empty house near you please let us know.
Thank You.

Kevin Redmond, Ethel Anderson, Karen Rooms

Book Launch

2010-09-14T20:18:00.000+01:00

"The Doll's House" by Marie Swift

at St Michael and All Saints Church Centre,

Church Street, Bramcote, Nottingham, NG9 3HD

Saturday 25th September 2010, 2:30pm

Marie is a Nottingham woman who tells her intriguing story of a young girl growing up, coming to terms with abuse, sadness, forgiveness and joy. It's free entry and there will be free refreshments. The book costs £10.99

with 50p from each sale going to Childline.

More info: marieswift@live.co.uk

From The Vicar...

2010-06-15T12:23:00.002+01:00

AS we enjoy the beginning of summer, warmer weather, and the chance to spend a bit more time outdoors, we are starting to think as a church about the blessings, the good moments, ‘the summers’ if you like, of our life at St Ann with Emmanuel. Let me explain...

As we think about the life of our church and the dreams we hold for the future I have felt that there are three important principles to follow. Firstly, that as many people as possible are involved in our thinking together; secondly that we think about our best and what we are grateful for, and finally that we get the view from those around us who are not in the church.

As a church you have elected people you trust to take responsibilities for the life of the church – the PCC (Parish Church Council) – and a small group from the PCC have given some thought to how we can go about this work of thinking about our past, present and future. This group will be gathering people’s views over the next few weeks and then the whole PCC will spend a day together in July drawing conclusions from all that we have discovered. We will then feed that back to the church and check that the vision we are developing together feels broadly right.

So first, it is really important that as many views as possible are heard and taken into account. There will be different ways to do this:

Interviews with you

A little questionnaire in church later in June

A couple of chances to meet in focus groups to answer some questions

We want to make sure we have a good cross section of people in the church from different backgrounds, different ages and different lengths of time of being part of the church. We will therefore be asking people if we can interview them. There will also be a chance for anyone to sign up for an interview, and to be part of one of the focus groups which will be held at different times of the day.

Secondly, we will focus on positives and what we are thankful and grateful for in our lives and in the life of the church. We will remember when we have felt most alive and energised spiritually and focus on what is good and blessed. And we will gather our wishes and imagine our future together.

Thirdly, we will interview and ask questions outside the church which will help us understand our context and how we might develop our connections with our community and working in it.

So, during June and July – please join in with our ‘Vision Project’.

Every Blessing, Karen

Hi, my name is Jo Tatum...

2010-06-15T12:06:00.007+01:00

I grew up in Nottingham, went to school at the High School and worked in retail until I was in my mid twenties. On a bit of a whim I went off and worked as an air stewardess for a season and on finishing decided to move to Guernsey for a while. However time went by, I met and married Brian and had two children and before I knew it, over 20 years had gone by! Whilst growing up I attended a Church of England school and had a very simple childish faith, the years of my adolescence and twenties meant that I replaced my faith with other things (like many young people). But the preparation for the birth of my first child also heralded a renewed sense of wanting a relationship with God and so I went to the parish church and enrolled for Confirmation classes. However the local church was sadly not blessed with many resources for a young family and so as my husband and I came to a living faith, it became obvious we needed a church that was friendly for all of our family. So for many years we attended an Elim Pentecostal Church. My husband Brian lead the worship group and together we led home groups and I developed a prayer and small group ministry. We both knew that eventually we would return to the UK and so when the opportunity for me to explore my calling to serve God and go to St John's college presented itself we packed up our home in Guernsey and returned to Nottingham.

As part of my training at St John’s we are placed in a local church to serve alongside the incumbent priest and learn the workings of parish ministry. So here I am at St Ann with Emmanuel, the welcome and affection that we have received is wonderful and I look forward to many happy months ahead!

Intercessions in Church

2010-06-15T12:03:00.001+01:00

Tuesday 29th June - 7.30pm

A meeting at the church for everyone who does prayers in church and for anyone who would like to learn more about leading public prayer.

On The Way

2010-06-15T12:02:00.000+01:00

Fighting the Fear

2010-06-15T11:57:00.000+01:00

Fighting the Fear - Saturday 3rd July, 10am-3.30pm

at St Ann with Emmanuel Church

An interactive day organised by the Nottingham Deaneries to reflect on people’s spiritual experience, the work of the Spirit of God, and our connections with people’s spiritual journeys outside the church.

Refreshments Provided. Please bring your own Lunch.

It will be a stimulating and interesting day.... drawing on our own

experience, and developments in spirituality in the workplace and in schools.

It's Dust One Of Those Things

2010-06-15T11:51:00.000+01:00

You can come from 9 to 11
Or perhaps a short time in between
And then class yourself as a member
Of your church cleaning team

The day we meet is on Friday
Just come and go when you must
Mop a small area, vacuum or sweep
Or get out a duster and dust

If it’s around 10am when you’re with us
That’s the time when we stop for tea,
Or coffee if this be your preference
With a biscuit, no charge, it’s free!

From the Vicar...

2010-05-02T19:58:00.001+01:00

Isn’t it the case that X Marks the Spot on a map showing where the treasure is ? Jesus said, ‘where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’ I don’t think he had the saga of Pirates of the Caribbean in mind, rather he was drawing attention to the way our hearts are focussed on what we value, which very often is our wealth, and means and livelihood. And Jesus calls those who would follow him to take their attention away from their own circumstances and narrow concerns, and to focus instead on what matters ‘in heaven’.

On May 6th we have the opportunity, that comes to us every 5 years, to put our X next to the name of a prospective parliamentary candidate. Our X will mark the spot where our values find the best fit against the values of a candidate or a political party. In a sense our X will mark the spot where our treasure is – it will express what is important to us, where our hearts are.

Each of the main parties have values which draw on values we might call Christian, and each party has activists and MP’s who are open about their Christian faith. Most MP’s, whether or not they sign up to any particular faith, are passionate about changing society and making it a better place for everyone.

Having a chance to put our X against a name in global and historical terms is a real privilege – especially for women. Even if we think the system needs reforming, at least we have a chance to make our mark. Where our heart is - our true values, not what we say we value – can be read in what we do. So our values will come out as we vote. What does your default vote tell you about your values? It might be helpful as well for us to think about Jesus’ values. Who did he value – who did he spend his time with – what were his greatest concerns? Might that change the way we vote? And will we allow the commandment to ‘love our neighbour as ourselves’ to guide us both to the spot we where we place our X, and place our energies?

Yours in Christ, Karen.

Good News!!

2010-05-02T19:53:00.001+01:00

Each Nottingham East candidate signed the Sanctuary Pledge on 16th April promising, among other things, to support policies that will end the detention of children and families for immigration reasons.

Rainbow Project

2010-05-02T19:52:00.004+01:00

Saturday 8th May

10-3pm—with a focus on the work of the Rainbow project. Drop in for an hour or stay all day and enjoy space and time to pray.
Light lunch and Holy Communion 1-2pm.

Everybody is welcome.

Hope and Thanksgiving

2010-05-02T19:44:00.005+01:00

A Big Welcome...

2010-05-02T19:40:00.007+01:00

...to the Scouts, Cubs & Beavers who now meet weekly in the church hall. If you would like to get involved, contact the magazine editors who will put you in touch with the leaders, or contact Kevin Redmond directly. Boys and Girls welcome!!

Brownies and Guides

2010-05-02T19:39:00.000+01:00

The Brownies and Guides are still fundraising for
Northern Ireland!

Why not come along to our Bread & Cheese lunch on
Sunday 9th May straight after the morning service
There will be soup and home made bread as well as a selection of cheeses. All are welcome and it’s free to attend
(however any donations are gratefully received!!)

Spring Clean

2010-05-02T19:38:00.002+01:00

Saturday 15th May

THE BIG CHURCH SPRING CLEAN AND CLEAR OUT

9.30am-1pm

Please come and help for an hour. Many hands and all that...

Coffee Break

2010-05-02T19:38:00.001+01:00

This month’s coffee break will be held at Sue Day’s house on Tuesday 18th May.

Come along and hear Aisleigh talk about her ‘Fabrics for Futures’ project which collects blankets of every size to send to Romanian hospitals and orphanages.

Aisleigh will be collecting blankets until July.

From the Vicar...

2010-03-20T15:58:00.001Z

This Lent we have been journeying with Jesus towards Jerusalem and towards the Cross: in sermons, with our Wednesday evening course, and as we have reflected on what Holy Communion means to us on Sunday mornings. This year our Easter services will begin on Palm Sunday, when we shall admit a number of our children to Holy Communion.

Week by week we share this special meal together as we gather to remember Jesus - a meal of bread and wine. It is a meal which was shared by all ages until around 1200 AD when children were excluded altogether and wine was witheld from adults. The recent tradition in the church has been for people to receive communion after confirmation. (For more background there is a summary taken from the diocesan guidelines on the porch notice board.)

However a report from over forty years ago pointed out that baptism is the complete initiation into the Christian faith. So, in the Baptism Service we say to our children, ‘we are members together of the body of Christ’ If we are members together, then it makes sense that the meal of discipleship is shared by all who are committed to following Jesus. Following Jesus is not an exclusively adult thing – children as well as adults were healed by Jesus; raised from the dead by Jesus, and welcomed by Jesus. It was a child who offered his lunch to Jesus when he saw that everyone was hungry, and Jesus was able to take that small gift and bless a crowd.

This diocese encourages churches to include children in this special meal and following their guidelines, a number of our baptized children have been learning about holy communion together and preparing themselves to be admitted on Palm Sunday.

Please pray for them, and their families on this special day when we recognize and affirm their faith and love for Jesus. May we be blessed by their faith and make room for them in our hearts, in our church, and at our table.

Yours in Christ, Karen

A NEW BISHOP

2010-03-20T15:54:00.003Z

Bishop Paul Butler was installed as the new Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham on 27th February in a wonderful service as solemn as the occasion needed, but also relaxed. A great variety of gifts were brought together to celebrate Ministry for us and among us – dance, drumming, choir anthems, contemporary worship songs, and children carrying flags. Taking his theme from Matthew 9:3-10, he spoke of a ministry modelled on that of Jesus, going about the towns and cities of his diocese. During his first six months Bishop Paul plans to meet and visit as many people and places as possible around the city and county and then take time on retreat in November to reflect and pray about the future. He will be welcomed to Nottingham at St Mary’s, Lacemarket , on March 7th and here in St. Ann’s we shall be among the first to receive him when he visits us and preaches at our 10.45am service on Sunday 21st March.

GEORGE RUSSELL

2010-03-20T15:53:00.000Z

A big thank you to George for his ministry and sharing of himself among us over the last month or two while he has been on his Reader Training placement with us. As well as appreciating his preaching ministry, we have benefitted from his observations on the ‘Everybody Welcome ‘course and the perspective he has brought. George’s last Sunday with us will be Palm Sunday when he will preach again, and we wish him every blessing as he continues on his discipleship journey.

BROWNIES AND GUIDES CELEBRATE A MILESTONE WITH A SONG

2010-03-20T15:51:00.001Z

A BIG thank-you to everyone who came along to the Brownies’ 75th and Guides’ 90th Anniversary celebrations. The evening was filled with fun and laughter with lots of guiding songs both old and new– and of course some silly ones too! There was also lots of reminiscing and catching up to be done.

Anyone who missed out on the evening but who would still like to help the Brownies and Guides raise funds for their trip to Northern Ireland to help celebrate Girlguiding UK’s centenary can buy limited edition badges that commemorate the units’ special night.

There are two special designs to choose from—one for each unit

Badges cost £2.50 each and are available from Aisleigh and Jennie

LENT

2010-02-21T00:28:00.003Z

When I survey the wondrous cross….

The weeks of Lent leading up to Easter are a season, a time, during which Christians for centuries have observed with fasting and prayer. It is a wonderful opportunity to attend to our inner life and to our outer lifestyle. It is a good time to choose a Christian book to read and pray through, or to get to grips with an issue which has been demanding attention from us. What might you do this year for Lent?

This year there is an opportunity for us to think together about the Cross using a York Course called ‘Christ’s Cross, and Ours’ which we will do together with Chasewood Baptist Church on Wednesday evenings. Join us if you want to deepen your understanding of the very centre of the Christian faith.

Yours in Christ,

Karen

JUAN CARLOS AND PENNY MARCES VISIT

2010-02-21T00:09:00.015Z

Sunday 31st January
Juan Carlos’s spoke to us from scripture about ‘Welcome’ and listened to and encouraged people in conversations. Penny shared with us the work and ministry they have been involved in in Lima at the church of Jesus El Salvador and remarked on the faithfulness of folk from St Ann’s and Carlton who have supported her for over 20 years. We pray for them as they begin new ministry at the Cathedral Church of the Good Shepherd, Lima. A good number from St Paul’s joined us for our morning service and stayed for lunch with us. A HUGE THANK YOU to Cherif and the mission committee who prepared and served a wonderful meal for us.

NOTTINGHAM CITIZENS FOR SANCTUARY

2010-02-21T00:07:00.000Z

The Nottingham group had a cordial and productive meeting at the Council House and are meeting the UKBA’s Regional Director again in March to progress plans for some reporting to take place in Nottingham for people seeking sanctuary in the city. Ways to increase flexibility around reporting were also agreed. Thank You for your prayers!

A Personal Reflection

2010-02-21T00:04:00.002Z

When God decided to bring you into the sphere of Jim Neill and his ministry he surely knew that you would be safe there. You knew that everything about you and your family would be of concern to Jim. He would make you part of the family at St Ann with Emmanuel, an mysteriously, Jim would become part of your family.

Among us, the family of St Ann with Emmanuel, there must be hundreds of tales to tell about Jim. About his faithfulness, his unfailing availability, his presence in times of trouble of any kind. Sickness at home or in hospital found him at your side with a word or a prayer. Built into a self imposed routine were regular visits to care homes, but most of all his never failing support when you had lost your dearest and best, made him a rock in a hurricane. He was always on your side.

As we the church family , pastored for so long by a faithful servant of his beloved master, celebrate the life of Jim Neill and mourn his death, we will all in our separate ways treasure close and personal memories. We can humbly thank our God for those 32 years poured out and spent on our behalf. We have a frim place to go forward from, a pastor to honour, and the ever hopeful future in Christ, of which he made himself a signpost.

No one person can do justice to the life and work of anyone, but together we can share those intimate memories. The ready smile. The regular update on the fortunes of Nottingham Forest from the pulpit, and the bowed silver gold head as he put you in the hands of his precious Lord

God Bless You,
Lesley Bryan

Jim's Memory‏

2010-01-31T09:42:00.021Z

It is with great sadness that I have to tell you that The Revd James Purdon Neill – Jim, former Vicar here at St Ann with Emmanuel Church Nottingham, has passed away after a short illness.

Jim was the vicar here for over 30 years, retiring at the end of 2008, during which time he selflessly ministered to thousands of people. Since then he was cruelly struck down by Motor Neurone Disease which robbed him of the relaxing retirement he deserved. On January 30th 2010 at the Queen’s Medical Centre he passed away quietly to be with God.

Jim was deaconed in 1964 and priested in 1965. He was Curate at Kendal from 1964-68, and Chaplain at Park Hill Flats in Sheffield from 1968-71. He was Priest-in-Charge at Mansfield from 1971-77 and then Vicar at St Ann with Emmanuel Nottingham from 1977-2008 after which he retired.

Those close to him have set up a Facebook group dedicated to Jim's memory where people can share memories, photos, etc of him.

Nottingham Evening Post articles here and here

Funeral Arrangements

Jim's funeral service will be held here in church
Monday 8th February at 1.15pm
Followed by cremation at Bramcote Crematorium at 2.45pm

Rather than flowers people are invited to make donations to MNDA (Motor Neurone Disease Association)
http://www.mndassociation.org/get_involved/donations/index.html

Rest in peace Jim.

The Vicar Writes

2010-01-09T19:02:00.005Z

GRACE, MERCY AND PEACE from God our Father and the Lord, Jesus Christ, be with you.

Words of blessing open our Sunday services week by week, and we leave with more words of blessing as we go our different ways to serve others in the world. At the end of the year some of you may have joined in singing ‘Auld Lang Syne’ a song of thanks and blessing for friendships.
And so as we begin 2010 my prayer for you is that you will all be blessed in the coming year by God. That His grace and mercy - his consistent, patient, and extravagant love and delight in you - will surprise you, and give you a deep sense of well being and security at the centre of your being.

May all that is unforgiven in you, be released.
May your fears yield their deepest tranquillities.
May all that is unlived in you blossom into a future, graced with love.
John O’Donohue

Paul writes (Eph1:3) ‘in our union with Christ he has blessed us with every spiritual blessing…’. All that God has to give us is available to us in and through Jesus. May Jesus be the source and centre of all we are and do this year.

Karen

JUAN CARLOS AND PENNY MARCES

2010-01-09T18:51:00.008Z

Juan Carlos, an ordained minister in the Anglican Church in Peru, is married to Penny, a mission partner from SE London, and they live and work in the city of Lima, in Peru, together with their three children Rebeca (18), Lizzie (16) and Jonny (14). They are supported by SAMS and have been link mission partners with us here for many years.

Juan Carlos is preaching at our morning service on Sunday 31st January. Following a short coffee break their friends and supporters from St Paul’s Church, Carlton, will be joining us for a presentation updating us about their work and ministry, and we will conclude by sharing a hot lunch together. Please put this date in your diary and stay for lunch as we welcome some old friends back among us.

More background:
Juan Carlos is Pastor of the Jesus El Salvador church in one of the pueblos jovenes (developing towns) of Lima. There is also a church plant in another part of Villa el Salvador, San Andrés en Oasis. He has helped train Church leaders of many denominations to run Alpha courses in Peru.

In addition to looking after the home Penny is much involved with the work of the parish: she runs the women’s work (AMA) in the local church and leads the Sunday school work (the Rainbow Club). Volunteers from their church also help in teaching Values Classes in the local school.

In 2009 the Church started a Compassion-sponsored Student Centre – The Lord´s Treasures – to help the poorest children in the area.

NOTTINGHAM CITIZENS FOR SANCTUARY

2010-01-09T18:44:00.005Z

An answer to prayer! The Nottingham Citizens for Sanctuary group have a meeting this month with the UK Border Agency to discuss the issues around the difficulties faced by Nottingham residents reporting in Loughborough and the possibility of change. Please pray for a constructive discussion and decisions to improve conditions for people who are seeking sanctuary in the city.

THE CHASE REDEVELOPMENT

2010-01-09T18:43:00.001Z

The Chase area is going to go through a major redevelopment over the next 5 years and will look very different at the end of it. This year a new multipurpose Joint Service Centre will be built (where to old garage was) which will contain a number of services including the library and doctors, surgeries. At the last public meeting Karen asked if there would be provision for healthy spirits as well as healthy minds and bodies, and has been asked to put a proposal together for some sort of spiritual provision in the building. Come to the meetings in the Chase Neighbourhood Centre to find out more - your opinions and views matter and make a difference. And add your views through consultations – keep your eyes open in the neighbourhood Centre and at the library. Next meeting :-
Tuesday 19th January 5-7pm

CHRISTMAS THANKS

2010-01-09T18:40:00.001Z

A BIG ‘Thank-You’ to the many people who contributed to our Christmas celebrations.

To Yvonne, Audrey, Masie and Sue, for making the church look so very special. To our intrepid team of Christingle makers from church and the parents group at Sycamore School. To the children and Family Worship leaders for a wonderful presentation. To Aisleigh and Jennie for their thought provoking video. To Masie, Yvonne, Abigail, Dorothy and Sue for hospitality after the Carol Service and to George Robinson (Chair, Chase Central Tenants/Residents Association), Cllr Sue Johnson, Matthew Cook, Shirlee, Dennis and Grenville for reading. To Peter, Matthew, and everyone in the choir for beautiful, strong and moving leading of our music at Carols and Crib. And to Jessica, Laura and Charlotte for a joyful Christmas Day.

Thank you for sharing yourselves and gifts among us.

The Vicar Writes….

2009-12-23T21:18:00.000Z

Do you have an Advent Calendar this year? Or maybe an advent candle, counting down the days until 24th December? As Christmas approaches do you, or the children count the days or the number of ‘sleeps’?

Looking forward to something and counting the days not only keeps the event in our minds, but also helps us to prepare. How many days do I have to fit in the shopping? When do I need to order the turkey? When will I write my Christmas Cards? When will I visit the people who matter to me? When we know something is going to happen we are able to get ourselves ready.

The season of Advent - the 4 or 5 weeks leading up to Christmas in the church’s year – is a season of preparation and looking forward. The event we look forward to is the coming of Jesus Christ. This works at two levels. We look forward to marking his incarnation, his coming to be one of us, living our messy human life with all its challenges, joys and pain, which we celebrate at Christmas as we tell the story of his birth in a stable in Bethlehem.

And secondly we look forward to his ultimate coming as heaven breaks into the world and all our human reality is exposed. What we see and what we do not see. He will bring resolution, completion and a righting of all wrongs. What our culture calls judgement day, and what the Old and New Testaments call the ‘Day of the Lord’.

And the question we ask ourselves during this season is ‘Are we ready?’ ‘Are we prepared?’. In what ways are we living lives of love and service for others? Are we living lives that are open and responsive to God? Are we ready to meet him as the First and the Last, the One who gives us life and who receives our lives at their end? Are we ready to meet him as the vulnerable baby we hold in our arms, God come close, looking for our love?

May we all be ready so that our Christmas begins with Christ.

Karen

DAILY PRAYER

2009-12-23T21:17:00.000Z

In church
Mon-Sat in Advent 8.30 a.m. til 9.00 a.m.
Come along any day and join us for simple
prayers for the day, the church and the world.

Kyrie Eleison - Christe Eleison - Kyrie Eleison

2009-12-23T21:16:00.002Z

‘Kyrie Eleison’ is an expression in Greek, the language of the New Testament, which means ‘Lord, have mercy’. It comes from one of Jesus’ parables about prayer and humility, which Luke records in chapter 18:9-14. It is a prayer that has been used by Christians since the earliest days of the faith and is especially appropriate to use during seasons of penitence like Advent and Lent.
Using the prayer three times invites us to address God as Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

During Advent we will use this form of prayer as our ‘Prayers of Penitence’ in all our services (not just in the Family Service). Let us know what you think….

THANK YOU

2009-12-23T21:16:00.001Z

To everyone who worked hard to make the Christmas Fayre happen.
It looks like we raised £800.

Building Work

2009-12-23T21:15:00.001Z

The external work on the church begins on 4th December. We are grateful to God for all the money raised towards our costs and are confident that He will meet all our needs.

Happy Christmas Everyone!

2009-12-23T21:12:00.001Z

Sycamore School Christingle *
Friday 18th Dec 1.15 pm

Community Carols & Candles
Sunday 20th Dec 6.30 pm

Telling the Christmas Story *
Thursday 24th Dec 4.00 pm

Christmas Family Service
Friday 25th Dec 10.45 am

You are welcome anytime.
Some events (*) are especially for children

St. Ann with Emmanuel welcomes Rev. Karen Rooms and her family

2009-09-06T10:10:00.004+01:00

I am married to Nigel, who is also ordained and works in this diocese, and have two sons Joe (17) and Ally(15). We have moved from Forest Fields and have been in Nottingham since 2001 after returning from working with the Anglican Church in Tanzania (East Africa) with Crosslinks. I was brought up in Glasgow; moved to Nottingham as a teenager, and have lived in the city on and off ever since. So my first job as a student was at Boots and I remember doing jury service in what’s now the Galleries of Justice! I have worked in industry, and in the voluntary sector, as well as within the church. I am rubbish at karaoke and love U2.

New Beginnings

2009-09-06T10:08:00.000+01:00

In the rhythm of the year September marks a number of beginnings. For some it is a new class and a new school year, and feeling that little bit older. Our activities and routines restart after a break and maybe a holiday: a bit like beginning the week after a day of rest. It can be a chance to take on something new. And of course we begin to notice fewer hours of daylight and find our fleeces and jumpers again.

This year, September marks a new beginning for my family as we settle into St Ann’s, and for me as I begin ministry with you here. Maybe one way of thinking about this is as the beginning of a new chapter in the story of St Ann with Emmanuel. I am looking forward to finding out about the story so far, and to meeting everyone and hearing your stories about life and faith and St Ann’s. I am also looking forward to what might lie in the chapter ahead as we write it together.

Of course the story in which we all live is the story of God’s love and generosity, acceptance and forgiveness, challenge and sacrifice, which we saw lived in flesh and blood like ours in the person of Jesus. It’s a story which shapes us and challenges us. And a story other people find interesting.

So in September 2009 as we turn the page to a new and unwritten chapter I have a question as we stand in this moment of newness.

What are the strands, the stories which are drawn together in this moment and in this place - the stories of St Ann’s and those who live here, the story of this church, my story and your stories, and the story of God’s love and work here? And what new narrative will emerge as we explore the story of God’s love and desire in scripture together week by week? How will all these strands be woven together by the Holy Spirit of God who is at work in the world, blessing, showing us God, and giving life and form to what is unformed and unclear (like in the very beginning - Gen 1:2)?

In this moment of new beginnings whether at school or work, in our families, community or church, can we encourage one another to both rest in the solid faithfulness of God who loves us from everlasting to everlasting, and to dare to be open to the creative but unsettling newness which Jesus’ resurrection initiated, and to find ourselves in the story?

Karen

September Sunday Services

2009-09-06T10:05:00.002+01:00

06.09.09
Morning - Family Parade
Evening - Holy Communion

13.09.09
Morning - Holy Communion
Evening - Evening Prayer

20.09.09
Morning - Morning Prayer/Baptism
Evening - Holy Communion

27.09.09
Morning - Holy Communion
Evening - Evening Prayer/Bereavement Service

Licensing of the Reverend Karen Rooms

2009-07-26T22:47:00.000+01:00

The licensing and Installation of the Reverend Karen Rooms by The Bishop of Sherwood, The Right Reverend Tony Porter and by the Venerable Peter Hill, Archdeacon of Nottingham, is on Saturday 5th September at 3:00pm. We would ask all of you to put this date and time in your diary and help us to show a warm welcome to Karen and her family to St. Ann With Emmanuel.

Afternoon Fellowship River Boat Cruise

2009-07-24T08:55:00.016+01:00

The afternoon of Tuesday, 14 July was the occasion of the Afternoon Fellowship Cruise on the River Trent. Departure time was 1.30 pm from what we remembered from years ago as the Pleasure Park with its sandy beach.
We couldn’t have chosen a better afternoon as the sun was warm and what little breeze there was hardly caused a ripple on the water. We had scarcely left the landing stage before the tea and coffee began to flow. The river allows you to see things from a different position and we were grateful for the skipper’s commentary as he described for us places of interest as we passed. Passing under Trent Bridge we made our way towards the Suspension Bridge and saw that the renovation work was well in hand. The Emmanuel Church of England Comprehensive School came into view with its magnificent new buildings stretching almost to the water’s edge and in the distance we saw what we all still know as the Wilford Toll Bridge. We made our way gently under its arches and soon we were opposite Wilford Church and ready for the boat to turn and to head towards Holme Pierrepont Water Sports Centre on its return journey.
What of the St. Ann with Emmanuel Party. Were they fully engrossed in watching for fish and bird life in the reeds along the banks and identifying items of interest as they passed? The answer is yes for part of the time until more tea and coffee and the splendid sandwiches arrived and the happy chatter ceased, at least for a while. The experienced sailors who had undertaken this voyage before knew to leave at least a little room for what was to come. After the boat turned at Holme Pierrepont to return to its moorings, the cream cakes for which the boat has a well earned reputation duly arrived and completed a very enjoyable meal .It was indeed a very happy and relaxing occasion which everyone enjoyed.
Click the pictures for larger size

An Update from the Church Wardens

2009-07-21T22:49:00.003+01:00

A Big Thank-You
It has now been 6 months since the Reverend Jim Neill retired. We continue to give thanks for Jim’s ministry, but this is a good time to also thank all those visiting ministers that have helped and supported us over the months, we are truly grateful to:
Revd. David Edinborough, Revd. Phil Williams, Nick Harding, Revd. Howard Worsley, Revd. Ruth Worsley, The Venerable Peter Hill, Archdeacon of Nottingham, Revd. Stan Carter, Revd. Barry Dawson, Revd. Philip Humphreys, not to forget out two Readers, Grenville Gibson and Lesley Bryan.

Parish Fellowship
We have had some deep and fulfilling studies over the months. We started and completed a Life Builder Bible study entitled “Prayer An Adventure with God.” These are some of the topics that we covered:

Conversing with God [Abraham] Genesis 18:16-33.
Discovering God’s will [Moses] Exodus 32:1-14.
Answering Prayer [Nehemiah] Nehemiah 1:1-2:8.
Prayer & Spiritual Conflict [Daniel] Daniel 10.
Praying for the Nation [Ezekiel] 22:23-31.

We have felt blessed and also challenged by the explorations in the studies.

Sunday School
Each Sunday morning our 5 to 11 year olds enjoy their own lessons in the Church Hall led by a team of Family Worship Leaders. Tell your friends with young families; they are most welcome to join us on Sunday mornings from 10:45am until about 12:00pm.

Church Cleaning
Did you know that our church building is cleaned each week by a group of volunteers? If you feel that this is an area that you can help in, please let one of us know. Remember, many hands and all that…

Weddings
As wardens, we have been taken by storm with the number of marrage requests over the 6 months. One of the couples that got married in this church, Bill and Audrey Key are now regular members in the congregation.

Congratulations
On Sunday July 5th we wished Maurice Linley, our deputy Warden Emeritus, a happy 80th birthday. It was preceded though, with a surprise party, at the March Hare in Carlton on Saturday 28th June. It could not have happened to a nicer person.

Our congratulations also to Grenville and Dorothy as they celebrate their 52nd wedding anniversary.

Congratulations to Jessica Davy and Laura Binns on successfully completing their degrees. They both received a 2:1

Densel Davy
Mazeline Harris

Church Wardens

Keep Us Your Coppers

2009-07-21T22:46:00.000+01:00

The Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Senior Section are wanting to start their Centenary Celebrations with a BANG!

Help us to raise money by collecting your 1p and 2p coins.

Once you have collected them please pass them on to any of the Guiders.

Thank You!

The Three Little Trees

2009-06-21T22:43:00.000+01:00

Once upon a mountain top, three little trees stood and dreamed of what they wanted to become when they grew up. The first little tree looked up at the stars and said “I want to hold treasure. I want to be covered with gold and filled with precious stones. I’ll be the most beautiful treasure chest in the world!”
The second tree looked out at the small stream trickling by on it’s way to the ocean. “I want to be travelling mighty waters and carrying powerful kings. I’ll be the strongest ship in the world!”
The third little tree looked down into the valley below where busy men and women worked in a busy town. “I don’t want to leave this mountain top at all. I want to grow so tall that when people stop to look at me, they’ll raise their eyes to heaven and think of God. I will be the tallest tree in the world.”
Years passed. The rain came, the sun shone, and the little trees grew tall. One day three woodcutters climbed the mountain. The first woodcutter looked at the first tree and said “This tree is beautiful. It is perfect for me.” With a swoop of his shining axe, the first tree fell. “Now I shall be made into a beautiful chest, I shall hold wonderful treasure!” The first tree said.
The second woodcutter looked at the second tree and said “This tree is strong, It is perfect for me.” With a swoop of his shining axe, the second tree fell. “Now I shall sail mighty waters!” thought the second tree. “I shall be a strong ship for mighty kings!”
The third tree felt her heart sink when the last woodcutter looked her way. She stood straight and tall and pointed bravely to heaven. But the woodcutter never even looked up. “Any kind of tree will do for me.” He muttered. With a swoop of his axe, the third tree fell.
The first tree rejoiced when the woodcutter brought her to the carpenter’s shop… But the carpenter fashioned the tree into a feed box for animals. The once beautiful tree was not covered with gold, nor with treasure. She was coated with sawdust and filled with hay for hungry farm animals.
The second tree smiled when the woodcutter took her to the shipyard, but no mighty sailing ship was made that day… Instead the once strong tree was hammered and sawed into a simple fishing boat. She was too small and too weak to sail to an ocean, or even a river, instead she was taken to a little lake.
The third tree was confused when the woodcutter cut her into strong beams and left her in the lumberyard. “What happened?” The once tall tree wondered. “All I ever wanted was to stay on the mountain top and point to God…”
Many, many days and nights passed. The three trees nearly forgot their dreams. But one night, a golden starlight poured over the first tree as a young woman placed her new-born baby into the feed box. “I wish I could make a cradle for him,” her husband whispered. The mother squeezed his hand and smiled as the starlight shone on the smooth and sturdy wood. “This manger is beautiful,” she said. And suddenly the first tree knew he was holding the greatest treasure in the world.
One evening a tired traveller and his friends crowded into the old fishing boat. The traveller fell asleep as the second tree quietly sailed out into the lake. Soon a thundering and thrashing storm arose. The little tree shuddered. She knew she did not have enough strength to carry so many passengers safely through the wind and rain. The tired man awakened. He stood up, stretched out his hand, and said “Peace.” The storm stopped as quickly as it had begun. And suddenly the second tree knew she was carrying the king of heaven and earth.
On Friday morning, the third tree was startled when her beams were yanked from the forgotten woodpile. She flinched as she was carried through an angry jeering crowd. She shuddered when soldiers nailed a man’s hands to her. She felt ugly and harsh and cruel. But on Sunday morning, when the sun rose and the earth trembled with joy beneath her, the third tree knew that God’s love had changed everything. It had made the third tree very strong. And every time people thought of the third tree, they would think of God. That was better than being the tallest tree in the world.

The next time you feel down because you didn’t get what you want, sit tight and be happy because God is thinking of something better to give you.

Author Unknown

Where Has It Taken Me?

2009-05-12T16:52:00.005+01:00

As editors we are keen to publish the testimonies of fellow Christians, both living and dead. A testimony is the story of how someone came to know Christ, and how he has and is working in their lives. It can encourage us on our walk with the Lord and reach out to those who are yet to know Him. In March we brought you the testimony of St. Patrick, and are now pleased to bring you the testimony of Grenville Gibson in his own words.

I was four years old when my brother took me to Sunday School in St. Ann's for the first time. Now, some 70 years later I have been asked to share with you some of the things that have happened to me in the years in between. The Second World War was about to begin and for a very young boy it was something of an adventure as my father became part of a group of volunteers learning to use a styrup pump to put out fires in the event of an air raid. Strange pieces of equipment like Darleks, appeared in our road. They were intended to be lit to make smoke in the event of an enemy air raid. Rationing, gas masks and the blackout became the norm. The most dramatic thing I remember was an enemy fighter flying over head when we were in the playground.

In 1944 two things happened which were to change my life. The first was that I joined the Church Choir at St. Ann's and so began my love of music in worship which still continues today. The organist and choirmaster, Mr. Shirtcliffe was very strict but we learned so much under his leadership. Others who joined the choir about that time are still members of the choir today.
The second thing that happened was that the time came for me to leave Sunday School and join the Boys' Bible Class which met each Sunday afternoon in the "Tin Hut" on Hungerhill Road. The Sunday School teaching had had a good foundation for what lay ahead but very soon I came to realise that there is more to the Christian Faith than listening to Bible stories. The illustration which was to change my life for ever was that on one side there were men and women, boys and girls and on the other was God. There was a great gulf between the two. That gulf was the result of our sinfulness. There was nothing you or I could do to bridge the gap. But God was not prepared to leave it like that. He had provided a bridge between himself and his people and that bridge is Jesus Christ. By Jesus' death on the cross on the first Good Friday he has made it possible for us to come into a personal relationship with Him. So in the "Tin Hut" one Sunday afternoon I and others gave our lives to the Lord and my Christian adventure which has so far lasted some 60 years began.

Where has it taken me? Well as far as Church is concerned, not very far. In the early 1970's we left the building on St. Ann's Well Road and travelled to the new Church building on Robin Hood Chase via the Boy's Brigade Hall on Ransom Road and the newly built St. Ann's Well infant School. A small group of worshippers after the demolition of the Church building and the Estate has grown into some 100 worshippers meeting each week for worship. The language and music may have changed but St. Ann's Church is very much alive. I have had the privilege of sharing in its ministry over the years as a Reader and look forward, as we all do, to Rev. Karen Rooms joining us as our new Minister.

Where has it taken me? As an individual it didn't take me into the full-time ministry of the Church of England as I had hoped when I was planning to go to University. God had other plans and as well as my busy Church life I found myself spending my working life in Local Government, 20 years in Education and 20 years in Social Services.

Where else has it taken me? It has taken me and my family down paths some of which have been happy and some have been sad, some have been easy and others have been difficult. Christ never promised that life as a Christian would be easy and that the difficult life experiences would pass us by.

What I and my family are able to confirm is that we face each new day of our journey with the assurance of Christ at our side.

Thanks be to God.
GRENVILLE GIBSON

Youth News

2009-05-12T16:48:00.001+01:00

Rainbows
The Rainbows have been taking it in turn to decide what they wanted to do. They have painted, played games and made ginger bread men so far.

Brownies
The Brownies have been learning about St. George and doing lots of very English things in his honour - like drinking tea! They are also counting down to theie Brownie Holiday.

Guides
The Guides have been busy with their hands. So far they have made day statues themed around noses, pizzas that looked like Easter eggs and St. George Cross badges made out of beads and safety pins.

Rangers
The Rangers have been making collages that represent their lives so far and their hopes for the future. They have also started working towards their Young Leader Qualification.

Which Came First: Easter or the Egg?

2009-04-10T21:24:00.014+01:00

Delve into the history and origins of the Christian festival of Easter and you come up with a few surprises. For instance, Easter eggs do not owe their origins to Christianity and originally the festival of Easter itself and the giving of Easter gifts had nothing to do with Christianity either. A closer look at the history of both Easter and the Easter Egg reveals a much earlier association with pagan ritual and in particular, the pagan rites of spring, dating back into pre history. For us, the ancient rites celebrating the Spring Equinox are most obviously associated with the mysterious Druids and places like Stone Henge, but most ancient races around the world had similar spring festivals to celebrate the rebirth of the year. The Egg, as a symbol of fertility and re-birth, has been associated with these rites from the earliest times.

The Christian Festival Of Easter

In fact, the festival of Easter is a classic example of the early Christian church adapting an existing pagan ritual to suit their own purposes. The Saxon spring festival of Eostre, was named for their goddess of dawn, and when they came to Britain in about the 5th century AD, the festival came with them along with re-birth and fertility rituals involving eggs, chicks and rabbits. When the Saxons converted to Christianity and started to celebrate the death and the resurrection of Christ, it coincided with Eostre, so that's what the early church in Britain called the celebration, Eostre or Easter in modern English.

The actual date that Easter falls on every year is governed by a fairly complex calculation related to the Spring Equinox. The actual formula is: The first Sunday after the first full moon following the Spring Equinox is Easter Sunday or Easter Day. This formula was set by Egyptian astronomers in Alexandria in 235ad, and calculated using the same method as the Jews have traditionally used to calculate the feast of the Passover, which occurred at about the same time as the crucifixion.

Early Easter Eggs

As well as adopting the pagan festival of Eostre, the Egg, representing fertility and re-birth in pagan times, was also adopted as part of the Christian Easter festival and it came to represent the 'resurrection' or re-birth of Christ after the crucifixion, Some Christians believe it is a symbol of the the stone blocking the Sepulchre being 'rolled' away.

In the UK and Europe, the earliest Easter eggs were painted and decorated hen, duck or goose eggs, a practice still carried on in many parts of the world today. As time went by, artificial eggs were made and by the end of the 17th century, manufactured eggs made of various materials were available for purchase at Easter, for giving as Easter gifts and presents.

Easter eggs continued to evolve through the 18th and into the 19th Century, with hollow cardboard eggs filled with gifts and sumptuously decorated, culminating in the ultimate in Easter eggs, the fabulous Faberge Eggs. Encrusted with jewels, they were made for the Czar's of Russia by Carl Faberge, a French jeweller, surely these were the 'ultimate' Easter gift, to buy even a small one now would make you poorer by several millions of pounds sterling.

Chocolate Easter Eggs

It was at about this time (early 1800's) that the first chocolate Easter eggs appeared in Germany and France and soon spread to the rest of Europe and beyond. The first chocolate eggs were solid and they were soon followed by hollow eggs. Making hollow eggs at that time was no mean feat, because the easily worked chocolate we use today didn't exist then, they had to use a crude paste made from ground roasted Cacao beans.

By the turn of the 19th Century, the discovery of the modern chocolate making process and improved mass manufacturing methods meant that the hollow, moulded Chocolate Easter Egg was fast becoming the Easter gift of choice in the UK and many parts of Europe, and by the 1960's it was well established worldwide.

©2002 - 2009 - Aphrodite Handmade Chocolates (www.aphrodite-chocolates.co.uk)

April Fools

2009-04-10T21:18:00.004+01:00

In Florida, an atheist created a case against the upcoming Easter and Passover holy days. He hired an attorney to bring a discrimination case against Christians, Jews and observances of their holy days. The argument was that it was unfair that atheists had no such recognized days.
The case was brought before a judge. After listening to the passionate presentation by the lawyer, the judge banged his gavel declaring, “Case dismissed!”
The lawyer immediately stood objecting to the ruling saying, “Your honor, how can you possibly dismiss this case? The Christians have Christmas, Easter and others. The Jews have Passover, Yom Kippur and Hanukkah, yet my client and all other atheists have no such holidays.”
The judge leaned forward in his chair saying, “But you do. Your client, counsel, is woe-fully ignorant.”
The lawyer said, “Your Honor, we are unaware of any special observance or holiday for atheists.”
The judge said, “The calendar says April 1st is April Fools Day. Psalm 14:1 states, ‘The fool says in his heart, there is no God.’ Thus, it is the opinion of this court, that if your client says there is no God, then he is a fool. Therefore, April 1st is his day.

Court is adjourned.

Tom Foolery

2009-04-10T21:14:00.004+01:00

No one likes to be made a fool of, but some people like to play the fool and Tommy Cooper was great at it. We thought you might like to hear some of his classic gags. We know that you’ll have heard some of them before, but they never stop being funny. Enjoy...

So I got home, and the phone was ringing. I picked it up, and said “Who’s speaking please?” And a voice said “You are”.

So I rang my local swimming baths. I said “Is that the local swimming baths?” He said “It depends where you’re calling from.”

A man came round in hospital after a serious accident. He Shouted, “Doctor, Doctor, I can’t feel my legs!” The doctor replied, “I know you can’, I’ve cut your arms off.”

Two fat blokes n a pub, one says to the other “Your round.” The other one says “So are you, you fat slob!”

I went to the butchers the other day and I bet him fifty quid that he couldn’t reach the meat off the top shelf. He said, “No, the steaks are too high.”

Two Cannibals eating a clown. One says to the other “Does this taste funny to you?”

I went to buy some camouflage trousers the other day but I couldn’t find any.

Ireland’s worst air disaster occurred this morning when a small two-seater Cessna plane crashed into a cemetery. Irish search and rescue workers have recovered 1,826 bodies so far and expect that number to climb as digging continues into the night!

This next one is from our very own Tommy Cooper - Mr. D Dixon...

I gave the wardens a scare the other day; I asked them what they thought of the new extension to the vicarage. Well, I’d heard that there were going to be four new Rooms very soon.

Good News!

2009-04-10T20:47:00.001+01:00

Karen Rooms has been appointed as our new Priest-in-Charge.

The Slave of Ireland and of the Gospel

2009-03-08T14:07:00.000Z

Saint Patrick was only sixteen years old when a raiding party burnt his home, put him in chains and took him as a slave. He was transported to Ireland where he was forced to work for Milchu, a Druidic high priest. He worked for six long years tending Milchu’s herds, but it was there, alone in the wilds that he came to know God. One night, in a dream, God led Patrick to escape and return home, where he threw himself into studying the gospel, hoping to someday join the ministry. Then, in another dream, Patrick heard the voice of the Irish call him back. He believed that this was God calling him to spread the Gospel in pagan Ireland. He spent twenty years preparing himself for this task, studying and becoming ordained.

Eventually the time came for Patrick to return. His first stop was the house of Milchu, who Patrick had hoped would become the first convert. But, having heard that Patrick was returning, he destroyed himself and his possessions in a fire, fearing that Patrick’s return was a punishment from his false gods. Patrick was horrified, and was even more determined to release the pagans from this fear and spread the good news of Jesus. He acted drastically and threw down a challenge to the local King during a pagan feast. He lit a huge bonfire as a symbol of his defiance. Patrick was summoned before the King, who ordered that his fire be put out. However, no matter how hard the King’s men tried, they could not extinguish the fire. Patrick stood before them all giving a testimony for Jesus and refusing to stop. So the King ordered Patrick to be executed, but his soldiers became confused and attacked each other. The Druid priests who tried to curse Patrick and Jesus’ name also perished. Even the King himself, sword raised, froze and was unable to strike Patrick.

With the King’s blessing, Patrick preached in Ireland for thirty years, making the Gospel understandable and accessible. He is famed for using the shamrock to demonstrate the Holy Trinity. He relied on God to protect him in any situation and wrote this chant, known as ‘the Breastplate’ to remind him and others of God, his protector:

Christ shield me today
Against poison,
against burning,
against drowning,
against wounding,
So that there may come to me
abundance of reward.
Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the mouth of everyone
who speake of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that ears me.

Pancake Tuesday

2009-03-08T13:56:00.002Z

As you can see from the photos, there was lots of fun to be had at the Church’s annual Shrove Tuesday celebrations. Due to a slight miscalculation there were more than enough pancakes for everyone, but those present didn’t seem to mind too much. This year five teams battled for the title of ‘Best of British’ in the themed quiz ‘Not So United Kingdom’. Each round was themed on a different country within the UK, with bonus picture and engineering rounds. The competition was fierce, but congratulations went to Edinburgh who were, somewhat controversially, victorious on the night.

Love is in the Air...

2009-02-09T22:30:00.001Z

As Valentines Day looms and all that it brings; from the dozen red roses to the heart shaped chocolate and dinner for two, we as a Church should think of the real Saint Valentine and the true message of his day.

Legend has it that the real Saint Valentine was imprisoned in Rome for refusing to give up his Christian faith. Whilst in Prison he was befriended by the jailer’s daughter who visited him. On his execution date, 14th February, he left a farewell note to her saying ‘Thank you for your Friendship, Love and Loyalty. From your Valentine’ Therefore we should endeavor to live up to this simple message. Hold strong to your faith, invite friends along for the journey, give your love freely and stay loyal to your God.

The church fellowship needs Valentines. So why not give your time, talents, money, friendship or prayers to those who need them.

Jim's Retirement

2009-02-09T22:18:00.020Z

His ministry in St. Ann with Emmanuel, "The Hardest but Happiest"

Click the pics for full size

Your Church Needs You!!

2009-02-09T22:17:00.000Z

Things you can do to help:

-Volunteer or Spend money at Coffee Mornings
-Help with Church Services
-Come to midweek meetings
-Join the Choir
-Help at Sunday school
-Help out at the youth groups
-Bring your kids to the youth groups
-Arrange flowers
-Find us a Vicar!
-Tell us your talents and ask how you can help
For more information email the editors.

Dear Friends

2009-01-04T22:52:00.003Z

Welcome to this first issue of our Parish Newsletter/Blog. During our time of Interregnum, we have suspended our Parish Magazine until our new minister arrives. Our thanks to Peter Moss, our previous magazine secretary, who resigned from the role at the end of November. Thanks to our new Editors, Aisleigh Webb and Jennie Lawson for taking over this role.

The Reverend Jim Neill
This is a good time to say thanks and pay tribute to the Reverend Jim Neill, who has served us wonderfully over the last 32 years. We are immensely grateful and give God thanks for Jim’s faithful ministry to us over the years. We will miss him. Please continue to pray for him as he starts this next phase of his life. I know that it will be hard for him to relax, but let’s hope that he does take time to relax and reflect.

Caretakers
Thanks also to Peter and Barbara Chilvers who retired at the end of December after 13 years as our caretakers. They too have done sterling work in keeping our church a clean and pleasant building to worship in.

We are very please to report that Simon Kemp has agreed to take on the role of caretaker and Tony Dilks has also offered his help.

Church Services
During our time of interregnum, we do not plan to make any changes to our pattern of worship. Sunday worship will continue, 10:45am and 6:30pm. Holy Communion alternates evenings and mornings. We will continue with our Family Service (All Age Worship) on the first Sunday of each month.

We are grateful to the Reverend Barry Dawson and our Readers Grenville Gibson and Lesley Bryan who will lead our worship during this time.

Mid Week Fellowship
Our mid week fellowship will also continue. Thanks to Lesley Bryan for planning our fellowship meetings programme for the first quarter.

Vestry Hours
The Vestry will be staffed on the last Friday evening each month, from 8:00pm to 9:00pm.

Finally, we would like to thank you all for your support. Please pray that the Lord will bless us and keep our fellowship mindful of his grace.

With Christian Love and Blessings

Densel Davy
Mazeline Harris

A Time for Everything

2009-01-04T22:43:00.001Z

As you know, the end of the year has signaled the end of an era here at St Ann with Emmanuel church.

After 32 faithful years of service our beloved vicar Jim Neill has retired. But Jim is not the only one who retires after many years. Barbara and Pete Chilvers retire as caretakers after 13 years and Pete Moss retires as magazine secretary. We would like to thank them for all they have done for us in the past, and wish them well for their future.

As we wish well those that are leaving, we welcome Simon Kemp and Tony Dilks, who will he taking over as caretakers.

We look forward to a new era in the church, and pray that it will be one of a great harvest for the Lord.

Vision 2008 becomes News in the Pews

2009-01-04T22:34:00.004Z

As you will be aware due to Jim’s retirement, Jennie Lawson and Aisleigh Webb have taken on the role of the magazine editors.

In the newsletter, and also here on the internet, we would like to publicize stories and testimonies from you, the St.Ann with Emmanuel Church Congregation.

If you have anything you would like us to include or would like to share your testimony with the rest of the congregation to encourage us all then please write it down
on paper and give it to either Jennie or Aisleigh.

We look forward to your opinions and stories for the new newsletter.