Jon led homegroup on Wednesday. It seemed to go well, but as usual, Jon let it go a little over time! (Hasn't yet learned to use a watch!) Jon found it interesting to be looking at a passage that he has translated from the Greek in lectures. (1 John 1)
Thursday saw us contending with a cold-ridden Abi and about two inches of snow. Driving seemed a little too precarious considering the weather, so we gave Tiny Tots a miss this week.
Friday was open church again, but the weather was cold and wet - sleet this time - so very few people were there. The hot cups of coffee and tea were much appreciated by those who made it through the weather, though.
Showing posts with label Open Church. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Open Church. Show all posts
Saturday, 10 February 2007
Friday, 2 February 2007
February 2nd
Jon visited a couple of people from the church with Don on Wednesday. It was good to spend some time with them and hear about their experiences. On Thursday it was Tiny Tots again - very busy this week and lots to help out with practically. In the evening Ali joined the 'Facing the Challenge' discussion group which was interesting.
Today we went along to Open Church where a couple of new people visited which was great. Good to chat with people again and develop our relationship with them.
We've also been busy preparing for this coming Sunday when Ali will be doing a children's talk in the morning and Jon will be leading part of the evening service.
Today we went along to Open Church where a couple of new people visited which was great. Good to chat with people again and develop our relationship with them.
We've also been busy preparing for this coming Sunday when Ali will be doing a children's talk in the morning and Jon will be leading part of the evening service.
Tuesday, 30 January 2007
January 30th
Thursday we went to Exeter to the Christian Resources Exhibition so that we could go to a couple of the seminars there. Ali went to one called 'A gospel of words or signs?' which gave her a lot to think about how to include deaf people into the life of the church. Jon went to a one entitled 'Why don't real men go to church?' which he found to be interesting. It was a good opportunity to hear about some different issues and other people's points of view.
Jon went to Open church on Friday lunchtime and attended the service on Sunday morning. It was good to have the links between prayer for the OMF missionaries that the church supports and Kang-San Tan (a lecturer from Redcliffe who was preaching) who used to work for OMF.
On Friday Ali went off to Eastbourne to the Children's ministry conference for the weekend. Eastbourne was actually sunny(!) but unfortunately the conference was very intensive so she didn't get much opportunity to see the delights (!) of the town - although early Saturday morning she did get a chance to go to the beach and watch the sun rise.
The conference had some really good seminars on puppetry and she learnt some great action songs with Duggie-Dug-Dug (that's Doug Horley who wrote 'We want to see Jesus lifted high' for those who don't know) - it was wonderful to see a whole auditorium of adults all getting involved and doing all the funny actions - the chicken dance song was particularly memorable! There was also very funny magic trick involving a square of cloth and a banana!
During the main teaching sessions they did show a couple of videos that were shown during the Children's ministry course last year at Redcliffe (good to see Redcliffe leading the way...) The most challenging aspect, apart from cramp from writing copious notes, was feeling lonel,y as so many other delegates had come in groups from their churches.
Monday, 22 January 2007
January 22nd
Last Thursday saw us at Tiny Tots Plus again. Ali was asked to man the tea and coffee station but had a few problems working out how to pour coffee, not spill the milk and chat - who said multi-tasking was a natural gift for women? Jon got his hands dirty - literally! He dived in with enthusiasm to the craft activity which was painting shakers with the children. He only managed to get one mark on his trousers...hmm, is this a new skill he has acquired?
In the afternoon Ali went to visit a couple of the older members of the congregation with Don. It was a good experience and very interesting meeting them. She enjoyed finding a bit more about them and their involvement with the church. In the evening Ali went off again to go to the mission prayer evening. She was able to find out about the different people the church support in India, Nigeria, Bolivia and the UK. It is good to know the church is committed to supporting their missionaries in prayer.
Friday we were both at Cambray for Open Church where we both had the opportunity to chat.
Sunday morning saw an early start again with Ali going along to the Gateway Fellowship again. This has been running for around 18/19 years. There was a big group of people there and it was lovely to worship with them. Ali was joined by the rest of the family for the morning service and then we went to lunch with a couple from the church. This was a great time and we chatted with another family who had also been invited. It is good to get to know people a little better each time we see them and also to share a bit more about our journey. A quick dash home via Redcliffe for a birthday party then tea and Jon was off to church again to lead the service. This went really well and he said it was good to be involved. The music was different again in both services. In the morning the Junior Choir sang a couple of songs, and both services had drums, guitars, etc. and had a much more contemporary feel.
In the afternoon Ali went to visit a couple of the older members of the congregation with Don. It was a good experience and very interesting meeting them. She enjoyed finding a bit more about them and their involvement with the church. In the evening Ali went off again to go to the mission prayer evening. She was able to find out about the different people the church support in India, Nigeria, Bolivia and the UK. It is good to know the church is committed to supporting their missionaries in prayer.
Friday we were both at Cambray for Open Church where we both had the opportunity to chat.
Sunday morning saw an early start again with Ali going along to the Gateway Fellowship again. This has been running for around 18/19 years. There was a big group of people there and it was lovely to worship with them. Ali was joined by the rest of the family for the morning service and then we went to lunch with a couple from the church. This was a great time and we chatted with another family who had also been invited. It is good to get to know people a little better each time we see them and also to share a bit more about our journey. A quick dash home via Redcliffe for a birthday party then tea and Jon was off to church again to lead the service. This went really well and he said it was good to be involved. The music was different again in both services. In the morning the Junior Choir sang a couple of songs, and both services had drums, guitars, etc. and had a much more contemporary feel.
Friday, 12 January 2007
January 12th
Thursday saw us at the toddler group - a new experience for Jon, a more familiar one for Ali. There were quite a few people there and it was good to be able to chat with the parent/carers and get positive feedback about how the group runs. We'll be going along next week as well.
Friday saw Jon getting up really early to go to a breakfast meeting of the local evangelical church leaders. Jon said it was good to be able to talk with people from other church backgrounds about how they saw church and the issues they are facing.
Jon then went along to the church which is open for a couple of hours at lunchtime. There is an opportunity for people to drop in for a chat, but it is better attended in the summer when the weather is better.
While Jon was at church at lunchtime Ali went along to a ladies bible study. They started a new study on the Holy Spirit which was interesting. The group seems to be thriving. The children who come are looked after by another lady who does a wonderful job enabling the ladies to study while the children play.
Friday saw Jon getting up really early to go to a breakfast meeting of the local evangelical church leaders. Jon said it was good to be able to talk with people from other church backgrounds about how they saw church and the issues they are facing.
Jon then went along to the church which is open for a couple of hours at lunchtime. There is an opportunity for people to drop in for a chat, but it is better attended in the summer when the weather is better.
While Jon was at church at lunchtime Ali went along to a ladies bible study. They started a new study on the Holy Spirit which was interesting. The group seems to be thriving. The children who come are looked after by another lady who does a wonderful job enabling the ladies to study while the children play.
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