CTiS 50th ANNIVERSARY - July 26th
CTiS MEMBER CHURCHES
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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
75th Anniversary year
More information from: or visit their website at http://www.achurchnearyou.com/lamorbey-holy-redeemer/
Holy Trinity Church, Lamorbey (CofE)
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Hurst Road, Sidcup, DA15 9AE. Tel: 020 8300 8231
New Community Church
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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)
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330a Burnt Oak Lane, Blackfen, DA15 8LW. Tel: 020 8300 2697
Sidcup Baptist Church
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Main Road, Sidcup, DA14 6PA. Tel: 020 8309 9717
St. Andrew's Church (CofE)
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Maylands Drive, Sidcup, DA14 4RY. Tel: 020 8300 4712
St. James Church (CofE)
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North Cray Road, North Cray, DA14 5HD. Tel: 020 8300 7096
St. John's Church (CofE)
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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
BLOG - (from one of the CTiS Churches)
The Holy Father and the common search for truth
or Catholics, the visit of Pope Benedict to the Holy Land was a “hold your breath” occasion. After some recent media outrage, it seemed that such a diplomatically difficult visit could not pass without incident. Thankfully, although there were one or two attempts at controversy, the visit was generally accepted as it was intended: an effort to encourage peace and dialogue in a troubled part of the world, sacred to Jews, Muslims and Christians.
At the meeting for organisations involved with inter-religious dialogue, the Holy Father said:
“Far from threatening the tolerance of differences or cultural plurality, truth makes consensus possible and keeps public debate
rational, honest and accountable, and opens the gateway to peace.”
Encouraging people of other faiths, and even atheists, to engage in
a common search for the truth and promoting a confident appraisal of human rationality have been a hallmark of many of Pope Benedict’s
public addresses.
His words are important today, when peace and tolerance are set in opposition to truth, and there is even the threat of civil penalties for those who proclaim unpopular truths, especially in the area of morality. Avoiding the search for truth does not create a genuine freedom but runs the very real risk of creating a “dictatorship of relativism” in which even the expression of a religious belief held to be true, may be considered not merely unpalatable or unpopular but “discriminatory.”
By engaging in this question with Muslims and Jews in the Holy Land, Pope Benedict offered a way forward for genuine dialogue and co-operation in matters which are held dear by the three “Abrahamic” faiths.
Fr. Timothy FiniganOur Lady of the Rosary
CTiS Report for year 2008-2009
‘How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity’ - Psalm 133
Living 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
Local Activities
GREETINGS CARD MAKING WORKSHOPS - MEETING:
Saturday: 4th July; 5th Sept; 3rd Oct;
7th Nov & 5th Dec
AVERY HILL CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
Southspring, Sidcup, DA15 8EA
CTiS - 50th Year Celebration
Sidcup Place, Chislehurst Road, Sidcup
Sunday 26th July from 6.00pm
CTiS Celebration of 50 years of the Churches in Sidcup working together
You really must not miss this Jubilee event - prayer, witness, displays, video clips, interviews, choir and band from 6.00pm on Sunday 26th July.
Meet evangelist Steve Chalke - all in the Big Top for an evening of Praise and Joy.
From 6.00pm Combined Churches Celebration
Guest Speaker: Steve Chalke
at Sidcup Place, Chislehurst Road, Sidcup.
Organised by Churches Together in Sidcup
STREET PASTORS
Some thirty people from 6 churches attended Christ Church, Sidcup on 9th January to meet a team of Street Pastors, who came on a test visit to the town, under the leadership of John Baptiste. Eight volunteers went out with the Pastors onto the streets, while the remainder supported them in prayer back at Christ Church.
It proved to be a very exciting exercise and the police were very enthusiastic about it because in April they are launching an initiative called Mettrack, which will work alongside the Street Pastors in reaching out to younger members of the community.
Christ Church hosted a follow up 'Street Pastors' evening, when John Baptiste brought his team to Sidcup on Friday 13th March.
They met between 8.00pm-12midnight with the option for people pray or go out and experience what it is like on the streets with the Street Pastors Team.
As there had been some question about whether Street Pastors are needed in Sidcup, Steve Murrant (Chief Inspector of Bexleyheath Police) said:
"We have been working in partnership with the Street Pastors in Bexleyheath for some time and more recently Belvedere.
Just before Christmas we received an award from London Sheriffs for our work with the Street Pastors. We have found it a very successful scheme in engaging with people on the streets in the evenings, by diffusing potentially volatile situations or by assisting people in a vulnerable state.
We have seen an improvement in the levels of crime and anti social behaviour. Bexley Police, the local authority and Street Pastor scheme are all keen for this initiative be supported by the Churches in Sidcup for the benefit of the community of Sidcup."
Anyone interested in training as a Street Pastor, or if you want to visit them in Bexleyheath, you should contact John Baptiste without delay as the Training Course begins in September 2009. John Baptiste will concentrate the Street Pastor's in their own areas but would welcome prayer support from the Sidcup Churches.
For more information about Street Pastors, check out the website: http://www.streetpastors.co.uk
Alpha Courses
SIDCUP ALPHA COURSES
Churches in and around Sidcup are planning Alpha Courses in 2009, 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:
Please pray for everybody involved in Courses examining the Christian Faith:
1. That there will be an atmosphere in which folk can ask questions and find the one who is the Way the Truth and the Life.
2. That all leaders are facilitators for everyone to be involved.
3. Leaders use relevant and helpful illustrations that folk can understand and apply.
4. Pray for the Holy Spirit to be working.
5. That misconceptions may be graciously addressed. Presumed links with Jesus are not enough for someone to be saved, they must know Him personally.
Based on Luke 13:22-30. Compiled by Estelle Woodcock
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EMMANUEL MINISTER
The Rev. Malcolm Wright, has taken on additional responsibilities as the Minister of Emmanuel Church, Sidcup.
From 1st September 2008 the Chislehurst Circuit has been merged into the new Orpington & Chislehurst Methodist Circuit.
Sidcup Community Group - Run by Sidcup Residents for Sidcup Residents.
CTiS@talktalk.net