Reshaping our Lives
hree of the long serving ministers for Churches Together in Sidcup will leave us this month. Andrew Wilson, vicar at Christ Church, goes to Release International and David Hildred leaves St Andrews for a parish in Darfield near Sheffield. I personally want to thank them for their commitment, support and openness to ecumenism and all that is good here in Bexley. They will be missed greatly for their influence and gifts. Rev Pat Percival will soon take over a parish at Blendon. Since before her ordination she has been active with husband Mike in CTiS committees and events. Please pray for them and their parishes both old and new.
The Redeemed Christian Church of God has been accepted and welcomed as a new and full member of Churches Together in Sidcup. The Church meets at Emmanuel Church Hall for services and Bible study with their Pastor, Richard Odufisan.
As we start to turn to Lent and look onward to the great feast of Easter it’s a time to examine our own lives and ask how close we are to God’s kingdom. It’s a time for seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit to learn what He wants of us and for receiving the gifts needed to achieve it.
As Jesus went into the wilderness for 40 days praying and fasting so we have the same need to get closer to God. Take some time out from our daily routines and spend time doing, or not doing, something different to the usual routine. Give the Lord time to speak and open our ears to hear. Lent gives us the ideal opportunity to reshape our life.
But before that happens live it up a little by coming to the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Party with all the toppings you ever thought of. A ideal start to fasting on Ash Wednesday.
Revd. Michael Baldry
Deacon
Our Lady of the Rosary Church
Christian Aid
emergency appeal for Haiti
am writing to you in the hope that you might use the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (18-25 January) to elicit a generous response to Christian Aid’s Emergency Appeal for Haiti. Christian Aid was born out of just such a response to the devastation in Europe at the end of war over sixty years ago. Let’s draw on that same ecumenical spirit to demonstrate our love and prayer in action for devastated sisters and brothers in Haiti.
I’m sure you will have been shocked by the extent of the tragedy that is taking place in Haiti as a result of the massive earthquake that struck there on Tuesday. Tens of thousands of people have been killed, many more are homeless and the infrastructure has been destroyed. There is an urgency to provide clean water and food, as well as healthcare and shelter.
Christian Aid has released £100,000 for immediate emergency relief and we have launched an emergency appeal to raise £1 million. As we approach the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, please would you uphold the people of Haiti in your prayers and encourage the churches in your area to respond financially to the appeal (you can make a donation on our website or by calling 08080 004 004).
If you would like any gift aid envelopes for a church collection then please ring 08700 787788.Thank you in advance for your support.
Daniel Sinclair
London and Southeast Unit Manager
Christian Aid
Click here for a Prayer for Haiti
Alpha Courses
WHAT IS ALPHA?
The Alpha course is an opportunity for anyone to explore the Christian faith.
It's relaxed, low key, friendly and fun.
There is a meal together at the beginning of each session which gives you an opportunity to get to know each other.
Listen, learn, discuss and discover. And ask anything. Alpha is a place where no question is too simple or too hostile.
And it's supported by all the main Christian denominations.
SIDCUP ALPHA COURSES
Churches in and around Sidcup are planning
Alpha Courses in 2010, for details click on link below:.
For details of local Alpha Courses
- Click Here -
To add your church Alpha or similar courses examining the Christian faith, to the CTiS website, send details to:
Local Activities
Click here for Printer Friendly (pdf) A4 copy of this Family Pancake Party Poster
TUESDAY 16th FEBRUARY at 8.00pm
Kishkush will speak on:
"JESUS OF NAZARETH"
at AVERY HILL CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
Southspring, SIDCUP, DA15 8EA
FRIDAY LENT LUNCHES
at Holy Redeemer Parish Hall,
Days Lane, Sidcup, DA15 8JR
FOOD & FELLOWSHIP at a modest price (£3.50)
Starts on 19th February at 12.30pm and
every Friday until 26th March
Women’s World Day of Prayer
This year’s theme compiled by Christian
women from Cameroon is:
‘Let all that hath breath praise the Lord’
Events on 5th March 2010:
1.45pm at St. John's Church, Church Road, Sidcup
- Speaker: Sue Robbins -
8.00pm at Foots Cray Baptist Church, Sidcup Hill, Sidcup
- Speaker: Joy Raggett -
All Ladies Welcome.
GREETINGS CARD MAKING WORKSHOPS - MEETING:
Saturday: 6th March 2010
AVERY HILL CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
Southspring, Sidcup, DA15 8EA
CTiS MEMBER CHURCHES
Click for Printer Friendly (pdf) Listing
All Saints Church (CofE)
Map
Rectory Lane, Foots Cray, DA14 5BU. Tel: 020 8300 7096
Traditional Anglican Liturgy, the church welcomes all ages.
Services on Sunday: 8.00am (1st Sunday) & 9.30am. For further information visit their website at: www.allsaintsandstjames.org.uk
Avery Hill Christian Fellowship
Map
Southspring, Sidcup, DA15 8EA. Tel: 020 8859 7073
There are many activities throughout the week for all ages, including mother and toddlers,(www.springlets.org.uk), Whizz Kids club, youth events and even meetings and outings for the adults! Disabled facilities include hearing loop, wheelchair access to premises and toilet.
Sunday service at 10.15am (Creche, Children & Y.P. Groups). There is often a monthly Sunday evening service, as advertised. More information from: or visit their website at www.averyhill.info Website also contains audio files of recent Sunday and mid-week sermons and news video's.
Christ Church (CofE)
Map
Main Road, Sidcup, DA14 6PA. Tel: 020 8308 0835
Sunday services at 8.00am (every 2nd and 4th Sun), & 10.30am. Evening Services as advertised. For more information visit their website www.christchurchsidcup.org.uk
Emmanuel Church
Map
Granville Road, Sidcup, DA14 4AA. Tel: 020 8300 5064
Emmanuel Church is part of The Chislehurst and Orpington Methodist Circuit. Sunday service at 10.30am. For more information visit www.emmanuelchurchsidcup.org.uk website, or from
Foots Cray Baptist Church
Map
Sidcup Hill, Foots Cray, DA15 6JS. Tel: 020 8300 8464
Sunday services at 11.00am and 6.30pm. For more information click here or from
The Holy Redeemer Church, Lamorbey (CofE)
Map
Days Lane, Sidcup, DA15 8JR. Tel: 020 8302 5356
More information from: or visit their website at http://holyredeemer.co.cc/index.htm
Holy Trinity Church, Lamorbey (CofE)
Map
Hurst Road, Sidcup, DA15 9AE. Tel: 020 8300 8231
More information from: or visit their website at www.holytrinitylamorbey.org
New Community Church
Map
24 Station Road, Sidcup, DA15 7DU. Tel: 020 8300 0333
From 4th January 2009 Sunday services at 9.30am and 11.30am.
More information from:
or visit their website at www.newcommunitychurch.org.uk
New Covenant Church, meeting at St. Andrews Church
Map
Maylands Drive, Sidcup, DA14 4RY. Tel: 020 8090 1439
Sunday service is at 12.30pm and Home Church at 7.00pm on Tuesday.
More information from:
or visit their website at http://www.newcovenant.org.uk/sidcup.php
New Generation Church
Map
Birkbeck Road, Sidcup, DA14 4DJ. Tel: 020 8309 6056
Our Lady Of The Rosary Church (RC)
Map
330a Burnt Oak Lane, Blackfen, DA15 8LW. Tel: 020 8300 2697
Redeemed Christian Church of God - Victory Assembly
Map
Hadlow Road, Sidcup, DA14 4AA. Tel: 020 857 0208
Sidcup Baptist Church
Map
Main Road, Sidcup, DA14 6PA. Tel: 020 8309 9717
St. Andrew's Church (CofE)
Map
Maylands Drive, Sidcup, DA14 4RY. Tel: 020 8300 4712
St. James Church (CofE)
Map
North Cray Road, North Cray, DA14 5HD. Tel: 020 8300 7096
St. John's Church (CofE)
Map
Church Road, Sidcup, DA14 6BX. Tel: 020 8300 0383
St. Lawrence's Church (RC)
Map
Main Road, Sidcup, DA15 7HB. Tel: 020 8300 2480
More information from: or visit their website at www.rc.net/uk/southwark/stlawrence
JOB VACANCY
CTiS Report for year
2008-2009
‘How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity’ - Psalm 133
iving in unity does not mean we will necessarily agree on everything, but that we agree on our purpose in life - to work together for God. Our outward expression of unity will reflect our inward unity of purpose.
So we come to that time, the AGM when we look back over the last year. 2009 should be an exciting year as we celebrate our 50th Anniversary, but it does not feel we have collectively gained momentum or enthusiasm as yet for this. Steve Chalke is booked for the evening CTIS celebration on 26th July, using ‘Lark in the Park’ for the venue. Much arranging still has to be done and my passion for CTIS is that we all play our part in arranging this afternoon and evening, so we can reflect to our community the commitment we have made in CTIS to be united together whenever and wherever we can.
Although I came to this position with fear and trepidation it has been a privilege to serve this year. We have to be thankful for the many faithful, dedicated people and churches that serve and get behind and support CTIS events. We need to pray for the churches less involved, that they will catch the desire to join in. Praying and encouraging each other is following Jesus’s teaching.
I especially want to thank the executive committee:
Tom Baker – Who has helped and supported me during the last year.
Paul Hurran – For his dedication.
Carol Blisset – For her commitment to CTIS, and also for taking care of the finances.
Sue Robertson – For her willingness in stepping in to be secretary at very short notice.
Events that have taken place over the last year include both regular features on the calendar and some new events:
Lark in the Park – Which gets bigger each year. These two weeks of outreach are now very much part of our community in Sidcup.
Although CTIS are meant to take part, only some churches and individual people get involved.
As it is our 50th anniversary year, I would encourage as many people to get as involved as possible; even one or two days would contribute in helping everyone working together.
The Civic Carol Service at St. John’s was well organised as always and some said the best one so far.
Carol Singing at Morrison’s was another success, led by Ronnie Barham who was able to bring fun and encouragement to those taking part.
The Children’s Unity Party was a new venture, led by Gorden Raggett. 50 children from various churches attended. 8 churches really got behind this and provided people to help with the children and prepared food for the afternoon. 2 other churches also contributed food. As the afternoon began, helpers started to arrive and got stuck into the preparations before the children arrived, blowing up balloons, wrapping presents for pass the parcel. Food as asked for started arriving – This was churches working together. During the afternoon there were games, singing, hand painting (which was put together to symbolise ‘Many Parts, One Body’) a guest Teddy Bear appearance and a puppet show. There were refreshments provided for any parents that wanted to wait while the party was being held. All the children went home happy and the helpers were all keen to repeat it next year, and someone even suggested doing something for teenagers!
The Unity Service held at Emmanuel Church was well attended, with tea and cakes provided before the service. Malcolm Wright led the service based around Christians in Korea; this was very interesting and really well put together.
Shove Tuesday Pancake Party, was another new venture. The Lent groups were not arranged this year as many churches still hold their own, so it was decided to try a more outreach style of event. This was held at The New Generation Centre. About 80 people of all ages attended, some of the people who had been invited had no church connection, so heard the talk given by David Hildred during the evening on ‘The Meaning of Lent’. Other features were a quiz, singing, games and some pancake flips, plus 100 pancakes (made by New Generation) with various fillings were consumed. A collection was taken and £200 was raised, enabling CTIS to sponsor a child for a year through the organisation ‘Compassion’. 6 churches were represented at the evening and provided fillings for the pancakes, while another 2 churches contributed fillings.
Good Friday Walk of Witness – 100 people took part in the walk which proved to be a very friendly and meaningful walk.
The possibility of having Street Pastors in Sidcup was explored in 2 trial evenings at Christchurch Sidcup with John Baptiste and his team from Bexleyheath. Although there was much interest, at present we are unable to put anyone forward for training to be a Street Pastor.
The monthly prayer meetings continue to be attended by at least 10 or 12 people, while the goodwill and trust continues between the Ministers and Leaders who meet once a month over breakfast or lunch.
So we have much to be thankful about with the events we do hold together and these are only made possible through the ongoing efforts of people with a passion for CTIS.
The Constitution was changed this year giving opportunity for 3 representatives from each church. The representatives are the main connection and communication between their own church and CTIS, so I give my thanks to all who are interested and have given their time for this. Individual churches response is usually due to the effectiveness of their representative.So may God bless our work and strengthen our witness together as we strive to put Christ at the centre of everything we do.
I wish Tom well as he takes over as new Chairman and hope you will be as supportive towards him as you have been for me.
Kathy Alford
New Generation Church
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Churches Together in England e-news and read the monthly news report.
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Transform Bexley Borough
Children from the CTiS churches were welcome at the Unity Party held for them at St. Lawrences Church at the end of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The CRIBS team and other youth leaders were involved in the event.
doctorate at the University of Wales on 4th July. Late last year he finished his research on a Ministerial Development Review in the Church of England. Paul has valued the opportunity to do some serious research which will be an aid to Anglican Clergy in the coming years.
Sidcup Community Group - Run by Sidcup Residents for Sidcup Residents.
CTiS@talktalk.net
