News

David & Neeti's Wedding

This was a fantastic day, a real celebration. Paul Reily, vicar of the Cornerstone, did a superb job of the ceremony, after which we all trundled down to the Leytonstone School for the reception. The food was excellent, a selection of sumptuous curries, followed by a wonderful variety of cakes. (I am sure I was not the only one to eat too much.) Sam, and his troop of merry groomsmen, served us all really well. Neeti & David send their thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make it such a special day for them. The evening was kicked off with a Bollywood style dance, and then the rest of the evening was spent in more traditional barn dancing.

Highway of Holiness

Many thanks to Ruth and Joseph (and all the others) for their hard work and imagination. They turned the long coridoor leading to the hall into a Highway of Holiness. As we walked along the highway, we were invited to read scriptures, pray, write down burdens, wash our hands, and take bread and wine. It was a challenging series of activities that really helped to prepare us to come into the Lord's presence in worship.

Global Day of Prayer

On Pentecost Sunday, we took a coach down to Millwall Stadium, where 11,000 Christians were worshipping, praying, repenting and celebrating in the sweltering heat. Linked to the world-wide Global Day of Prayer, with co-ordinated events in 211 countries and 60 other areas of the UK, the event included worship from well-known worship leaders, prayer for issues such as gun crime, HIV/Aids, world trouble spots and climate change, and an interview with new London Mayor, Boris Johnson, who shared his vision of how churches could work with him in stamping out gun and street crime. Information on the Global Day of Prayer London's launch for 2009, and the Pentecost 2009 event, will be available later in the year. In the meantime, more information on the vision of the Global Day of Prayer London is available on their website.

Recent Baptisms

It was really good to gather together to see Jessica and Andrew baptised. There was a good atmosphere, serious but not solemn. Sam gave a good message and then we baptised them both. The water was unusually cold as we had not had the heaters in long enough. Still, both Jessica and Andrew did not seem to mind, too much! It was really special that Jessica's Dad helped Adrian to baptise. Once baptised we waited on God for to bring scriptures and prophetic words to each of them. When the service was over we all gathered for a really good tea and fellowship.

New Year's Eve at Precious Stones

Cornerstone and GateWay joined together with Precious Stones at their facility in Church Road to see in the New Year. We kicked off with a buffet and fellowship. This was followed by a good time of worship, several very good singers and a sketch.

Rosy from Cornerstone, led us in prayer for the New Year and Edward, from Precious Stones, exhorted us to be aware of the times and to be sensitive to what God is saying. The New Year was welcomed in with party poppers and firworks.

Christmas/New Year Party

The annual party saw the usual festive activities with yet another fiendish photo quizz, this time courtesy of Adrian and Barbara. Well done to Hannah with an impressive 53 out 62 for the places of geographical interest. As well as the now traditional chocolate and flour games, there were lots of other energetic games to while away the afternoon. In Steve's absence, others with cheating tendencies came to the fore. We were all wondering why there were so many sixes for the chocolate game and very few for the flour game. "No! John, Amarh and Rene, you cannot throw for Russ, Neeti, David and Sam just because they are not yet here to throw for themselves!!!" Pictured below. Name and shame I say!

The food lived up to all expectations. The Ghanaian peanut and prawn soup was delicious. Seconds (and...) were a must. We ended with worship and a short word from John, who encouraged us to be aware of the times and what God is saying. There was also the wonderful news of David and Neeti's engagment. Congratulations to them both!

The Donkey's Return - Live Nativity

The afternoon of Sunday 16th December saw a real spectacle down at Brook's Farm. Working together with the Cornerstone Church, we dressed up in costumes for a real live nativity. The outfits were certainly more professional than the usual tea towels and dressing gown. Okay Guys! which one of you is the Virgin Mary? Perhaps not then. Several hundred local people turned out and enjoyed the event. The weather, though bitterly cold, was clear and bright.

The event took the form of a running play that started as you entered the farm park. Visitors were invited to dress up and costumes were provided. The Christmas Story was told as a TV show with interviews and running commentary from "Jeremiah Paxman", the anchorman for Bethlehem Tonight. The traditional story was told in a very up to date way, and helped us all to focus on the real meaning of Christmas.

As the crowd gathered around the crib, the angel choir led us in singing carols. The donkey was very patient!

We all ended up at the crib where Jeremiah Paxman interviewed Rosy, the curate of Cornerstone, as a "local religious leader". Rosy then gave an excellent short talk about the meaning of Christmas. The whole scene had a very authentic feel, especially the farmyard smells! Afterwards, hot chocolate was distributed to ward off the cold.

Amarh's Goatee

When Amarh & Ruth returned from visiting friends in the USA, we realised that Amarh had grown a goatee beard whilst he was away. We could not allow such a momentous event to pass unnoticed. As we all want to emulate a man of Amarh's calibre, on Sunday, just before he preached, we all put on paper goatees that Adrian had made, just so we could be like Amarh. It is good to have a good laugh in the church family. Ruth was most definitely amused. Welcome home Amarh!

Revive! 2007

One of the great things about Revive! is the worship. Again, Chris & Jennie Orange did a wonderful job of leading, ably assited by others. (Is Helen praying here, or saying, "No Russ, not that song again!") The Godfrey Birtill concert on the Sunday night was a really powerful time, and the electrical power did not cut out this year either. The wide variety of seminars and speakers ensured there was something for everyone. George Verwer was special, and Roger was his usual thought provoking self. The highlight of the week for GateWay was on the Wednesday afternoon, when Roger came to our tent and spoke to us. His easy personality ensured that we all had fun, as well as exercising our spirit and brain.

A good number of GateWay were working with the under 4s, stewarding, on the prayer teams or working with the teens. This did not in any way detract from the great sense of fellowship and fun. Everyone helped out with the food, lead by Daphne, and the tents gave good shelter. Though, some of us found the experience of putting them up a little tiring.

There were plenty of things to do, even at night! There are "things" that lurk in the forest at Ashburnham. There was Cafe Ash with live music and hot chocolate. Of course, for the more prayerful, there was always the Evening Sacrifice with Breaking of Bread. A great way to end a tiring day, by getting prayed for. Throughout the week there were powerful times of ministry and challenging talks, old friends to meet and new ones to make, times to laugh, or even cry. Who will forget the Prodigal Sheep video? (Look up Bogey the Sheep on Facebook.) We are already thinking of next year. Get the dates in your diary - 2nd to 9th August 2008!