A LETTER TO YOU ALL
would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of all of the 350 or so volunteers, to thank you for all of the kind and encouraging comments you have made about Lark in the Park. Not just this year, but in previous years too.
You have told us how secure you feel, how friendly everyone is and how you are happy to trust your children with our kids clubs teams; also how your children’s behaviour is often improved after an afternoon in one of the club venues. You have remarked too on how peaceful and relaxed you feel when you are at Lark in the Park, even at times when there is pressure in your life that you find difficult to cope with.
We want you to know that we are not professional event organisers (although after 14 years we have certainly learned a thing or two!). What we are is a group of people who have had their lives changed by a personal encounter with Jesus, the Son of God. A group prepared to give up its time and money to provide Lark in the Park for you, because we think it's worth it, you’re worth it; it's the kind of thing we believe Jesus would do.
When we arrive at site each morning, we carry out the practical procedures to make the event work. And then we pray. We ask God to be with us at the event, to bring peace and harmony to the site and to provide relief for those who are burdened with troubles.
I invite you to take the opportunity to speak to someone about how Jesus can make a difference in your life. Whether you choose to or not, thank you for your kind comments about Lark in the Park 2010.
Paul Weston,
New Generation Church
Heart gives unto Heart
Pope Benedict XVI visit to Britain
16th-19th September 2010
he Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI makes an official visit to Britain this month, at the invitation of the Government. This visit over three days will be the first since John Paul II came in 1982.
The main event in Benedict's diary will be at Coventry, to beatify Cardinal John Henry Newman as "Blessed", the first stage to being recognized as a saint. John Newman was a committed ecumenist eager to hold dialogue with other churches long before Vatican Council II when the Catholic Church embraced the need to search for Christian unity.
Newman was a great intellectual and theologian, but he also knew the importance of having personal faith and understanding. People would find God not by being argued with but by kindness and relationship. Evangelization was achieved by relating to others from the heart. God reveals Himself through the Church, teaching through scripture and tradition. When the members of the Church show God's love in themselves they can speak to others in truth person to person, one to one, heart to heart.
The Papal visit is a real opportunity for all our Christian communities to be inspired and active in the real work of the Church, bringing souls to Christ.
There will be challenges and opposition to this event but in choosing the title: "Heart gives unto Heart" for the visit, it is a chance to give something of ourselves to others as we speak from our heart about this Faith we have been given. To love one another is the key to being united with the Lord. If we fail to love, we reject what He gives us. Those without Faith need our love and prayers and witness.
This historic event may be the moment when these lost sheep will hear the Shepherd's voice and join the fold.
Rev. Michael Baldry
Deacon
Our Lady of the Rosary Church
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: 9.30am All Age Worship (1st Sunday); Parish Eucharist (Other Sundays).
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 8302 8136
Sunday services at 11.00am and 6.30pm. For more information from www.fcbc.org.uk 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
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Hadlow Road, Sidcup, DA14 4AA. Tel: 020 8857 0208
Sidcup Baptist Church
Map
129 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)
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129 Main Road, Sidcup, DA15 7HB. Tel: 020 8300 2480
More information from: or visit their website at www.rc.net/uk/southwark/stlawrence
MEETINGS AND ACTIVITIES
25th ANNIVERSARY
DISABLED CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
Saturday 11th September
2.00pm - 4.30pm
at Sidcup Baptist Church, Main Road, Sidcup
A number of events are planned to mark the occasion.
One of these is a special concert by professional recording artiste Clarissa at this September meeting.
Clarissa will be donating a portion of her fee to the charity SANDS (Stillbirth And Neonatal Death Society), which she keenly supports.
For more information contact: 020 8309 9717
GREETINGS CARD MAKING WORKSHOPS - MEETING:
Saturday: 2nd October 2010
Saturday 7th November 2010
Saturday 5th February 2011
AVERY HILL CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
Southspring, Sidcup, DA15 8EA
CLICK FOR REPORT AND PHOTO'S ON 'MARY JONES WALK and SNOWDON SPONSORED ASCENT'
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CTiS Report
for the year 2009-2010
e in Sidcup are privileged to enjoy a rich legacy of goodwill between Churches, one worth building upon, and our 50th anniversary provided an opportunity to do so via several planned high-profile events.
Although just the Lark In The Park celebration in July survived, it was nevertheless a memorable, “all-in-one” occasion, highlighted by Steve Chalke’s stirring talk before an enthusiastic, 200-strong congregation. Full credit to New Generation for organising the evening and to everyone who contributed.
October continued in upbeat vein with the launch of the Bigger Breakfast, an initiative of our Evangelical Men’s groups. While not strictly a CTIS venture, it gained support across the board, with genuine ‘bonhomie’ in evidence throughout.
The Civic Carol Service and carol-singing at Morrison’s, both now firmly established on the Christmas calendar, proved as popular as ever, giving the public at large a chance to observe Christian Churches performing in harmony – literally! December also saw us make a donation to CRIBS in appreciation of their work and support.
We welcome into our ranks the Redeemed Christian Church of God, whose application for membership was approved at January’s meeting and invite pastor Richard to participate in future activities.
The theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity was Witness. Unfortunately, preparations for the Unity Service were hampered by Andrew Wilson’s (vicar of the host Church) lengthy sabbatical and subsequent distraction to attend to other matters, not least his departure from the Ministry. However, thanks to splendid work from all at Christchurch, things fell into place and it was generally agreed that both content and attendance were well up to standard.
Attendance at the Children’s Unity and Pancake Parties, on the other hand, was sadly down on last year and, while the former’s future may need to be re-assessed, 2011 might be an appropriate time to revive the Lent talks in place of the latter.
Good Friday’s Walk of Witness tempted many out into the spring air – even the sun appeared briefly – and, as ever, it felt good witnessing together to a Saviour who suffered and died for love of all.
So, what of our 50th year? Just as Stephen, in his 2008 report, wrote that ‘organic’ unity was too much to expect of our growing together, so a sudden elevation of status or profile to coincide with our anniversary was unlikely. We should not expect miracles. But we are blessed, by so much – not least representatives who persevere for little reward. I thank, particularly, Suzanne, our hard-working Secretary, and Carol, standing down as Treasurer after four years of sterling work (no pun intended).
In the end, we know it is not outward displays that define true harmony, but an INNER SPIRIT, nurtured daily. May that spirit become ever more vibrant among us as we support new Chairman, Paul, in this, our 51st year - it’s the very least he deserves.
The legacy lives on…
Tom Baker
St. Lawrence's Church
For more information visit their website: New Community Debt Advice Service
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A GREAT CHRISTIAN AID RESULT
Duncan Borrowman (Liberal Democrat) and Rick Everitt (Labour).
The welcome was given by Paul Weston, Leader of the New Generation Church and David Willetts ably chaired the two question time sessions. Also in attendance were Elaine Cheeseman (English Democrats) and Jonathan Rooks (Green Party).
Sidcup Community Group - Run by Sidcup Residents for Sidcup Residents.
