REWRITING THE HEADLINES
“Fear of double dip recession!”
“A sharp rise in unemployment”
“Eurozone in crisis”
hese are just some of the doom and gloom headlines which have hit our newspapers so far this year. Jesus had a very simple attitude to money, possessions and resources. He was radical and he was clear.
Jesus commanded us to not store up treasures here on earth, but to store them up in heaven, where they will last forever (Matthew 6:19-20). He also encouraged us to not worry about what we eat, drink or wear that if we simply seek first his kingdom then everything which we need will be given to us (Matthew 6:32-33).
Sometimes the simplest things can be the hardest to take on board. Living the simple life is living by the simple principles which Jesus laid out; pay more attention to the treasures we are storing in heaven rather than on earth, put his kingdom first and he’ll give us everything we need.
As the world panics about our economy, the church has the opportunity to shine and show that we are not afraid, but that we trust in a God has all the resources of the world at his disposal! We can rewrite the headlines by being the generous church, which Jesus called us to be.
"Generosity makes a way for God to do miracles"
"Generosity demonstrates God’s extravagant love for others"
"Generosity trumps fear every time"
Every day, we are only one choice away from changing the course of someone’s day with a surprise gift, meaningful card or kind gesture. How amazing if the headlines in our local area began to look something like this?
“Family in need, receive a mystery gift of 10 bags of
food shopping on their doorstep”
“Unmarked envelope full of cash put through letterbox of local single parent”
“Staff at a local school all receive a gift and kind message from a local church to thank them for all their hard work”
“Local church gives out luxury gifts to
Sidcup nursing home residents at Christmas”
What an amazing thought, that we can rewrite our headlines, not with stories of fear and worry, but with stories of the generosity of the church.........
Debbie Shearing
New Generation Church
All Saints Church (CofE)
Rectory Lane, Foots Cray, DA14 5BU. Tel: 020 8300 7096
MAP
he Living Church on the Meadows, a small and beautiful old church on the edge of the Footscray Meadows, with a friendly, welcoming, family atmosphere.
Traditional Anglican Liturgy, the church welcomes all ages.
Services on Sunday:
9.30am All Age Worship (1st Sunday);
9.30am Parish Eucharist (Other Sundays).
or visit their website at: www.allsaintsandstjames.org.uk
Avery Hill Christian Felowship
Southspring, Sidcup, DA15 8EA. Tel: 020 8859 7073
MAP
he Avery Hill Christian Fellowship is a lively and vibrant community of people of all ages who share a common faith in the grace of God through the person of Jesus Christ. Having a passion for mission both locally, nationally and internationally.
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.
Services on Sunday:
10.15am Morning Worship (Creche, Children & Y.P. Groups).
6.15pm Evening Service (2nd Sunday).
More information from:
or visit their website at www.averyhill.info
Website also contains audio files of Sunday sermons.
Christchurch (CofE)
Main Road, Sidcup, DA14 6PA. Tel: 020 8308 0835
MAP
atering extensively for families. Christchurch is Church of England in the evangelical tradition. On Sunday mornings there are various
activities for 3 to 14 year old's and above. During the week running many activities, home Bible study groups, meetings for women, a monthly men's breakfast plus
much more. Offers wheelchair access to premises.
Sunday services at 8.00am (every 2nd and 4th Sun), & 10.30am.
Evening Services as advertised.
For more information visit their website at www.christchurchsidcup.org.uk
or contact
Emmanuel Church
Granville Road, Sidcup, DA14 4AA. Tel: 020 8300 5064
MAP
welcoming and friendly church
of Methodist and United Reform traditions. There is a Sunday Club for 3-18 year old's and there are other church based activities during the week. For letting's,
bookings information, programme of activities, use of premises and other details speak to the church office.
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
137 Sidcup Hill, Foots Cray, Sidcup, DA14 6JS. Tel: 020 8302 8136
MAP
t Foots Cray Baptist Church,
they are committed to the central truths of the Christian Faith and have a 'traditional' but warm and friendly approach to worship. Only baptising those who have
come to faith in Jesus but our Communion Table is open to all who trust Christ as Saviour, whether baptised as believers or not. Offers wheelchair access to
premises.
Sunday services at 11.00am and 6.30pm.
For more information from www.fcbc.org.uk or from
The Holy Redeemer Church, Lamorbey (CofE)
Days Lane, Sidcup, DA15 8JR. Tel: 020 8302 5356
MAP
he Holy Redeemer is a
Parish of the Church of England. Worship focuses on the Holy Eucharist, using a variety of styles. Having an active Children's Church and Choir.
Offers wheelchair access to premises and toilet. Sunday services at 8.00am, 10.00am and 6.00pm.
More information from:
or visit their website at www.theholyredeemer.co.uk
Holy Trinity Church, Lamorbey (CofE)
Hurst Road, Sidcup, DA15 9AE. Tel: 020 8300 8231
MAP
oly Trinity is a traditional Anglo Catholic church with Parish Eucharist as their main service.
All will be very welcome to any Sunday service or any weekday meeting. Sunday services at 8.00am Eucharist, 10.00am Family Eucharist.
More information from:
or visit their website at
www.holytrinitylamorbey.org
New Community Church
24 Station Road, Sidcup, DA15 7DU. Tel: 020 8300 0333
MAP
lively, diverse church that draws people from across the London boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich and Lewisham. Sunday meetings
are relevant, relaxed and informal. During the week running activities for all the community including youth work, students and
twenties, exercise classes, meetings for the retired, a morning cafe and a substantial toddler group as well as midweek small groups.
A Debt Advice Service is now available for those who could benefit from talking over any money worries.
Their website contains a regularly updated list of what is going on. Offers wheelchair access to premises and toilet.
Sunday
services at 9.30am and 11.30am.
More information from:
or visit their website at www.newcommunitychurch.org.uk
New Covenant Church
his congregation is temporarily not meeting at St. Andrew's Church but with a another New Covenant congregation
outside the Sidcup area, with effect from 1/12/2011.
More information from:
or visit their website at
www.newcovenant.org.uk/sidcup.php
New Generation Church
Birkbeck Road, Sidcup, DA14 4DJ. Tel: 020 8309 6056
MAP
ew Generation is a passionate and lively community. Passionate about Jesus, Sidcup and you. They are involved in projects locally, nationally and internationally. They offer many activities for many ages, speak to the office to find out what is going on right now. All ages are welcome at their Sunday meeting which includes HQ Kids Church and Sparkles creche. Offers wheelchair access to premises and toilet.
Sunday services at 9.30am for 9.45am at Bexleyheath Cineworld, DA6 7LL.
Evening gatherings (most Sundays) at St. John's Church, Church Road, Sidcup, DA14 6BX. Doors and cafe open at 5.45pm.
Weekday meetings at New Generation Centre, Birkbeck Road, Sidcup, DA14 4DJ.
More information from:
or visit their website at www.newgen.org.uk
Our Lady Of The Rosary Church (RC)
330a Burnt Oak Lane, Blackfen, DA15 8LW. Tel: 020 8300 2697
MAP
ur Lady of the Rosary (330a Burnt Oak Lane, off Days Lane) is a Roman Catholic parish community with a wide variety of spiritual, social and community activities. The parish includes
people of all ages with activities for children and young people, outreach to the elderly and housebound. A social club, football club and various groups, who meet
to contribute in diverse ways, to the building up of God's kingdom.
Saturday service at 6.00pm;
Sunday services at 9.00am, 10.30am and 6.00pm.
More information from:
or visit their website at www.blackfencatholic.org
Redeemed Christian Church of God - Victory Assembly
369 Footscray Road, New Eltham, SE9 2DR. Tel: 07852 100550
MAP
his congregation, belonging to The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), have now moved to new premises
in New Eltham. Under the leadership of Pastor Richard Odufisan the church meets for a Celebration Service at 10.00am each Sunday and at 7.00pm on
Wednesdays for a Bible Study & Prayer Meeting.
The foundation of the church is prayer and teaching the full counsel of God, to help people and families discover their purpose in
life through love and care for one another.
For more information click here for church webpage or
contact:
Sidcup Baptist Church
167 Main Road, Sidcup, DA14 6PA. Tel: 020 8309 9717
MAP
friendly, growing church with lively worship and a good cross-section of age groups, including a large proportion of children and young people. Their vision is to be a church that loves and serves God, His people and His world. The church hosts the Disabled Christian Fellowship (Sidcup Branch) on the 2nd Saturday afternoon in the month. Community lunches, Alpha group, daytime and evening Housegroups, Playgroup, Children's and YP's clubs. Disabled facilities include hearing loop (British Sign Language signing by arrangement), wheelchair access to premises and toilet. Sunday services at 10.30am (creche, children & Y.P's groups) and 6.30pm. More information from: or visit their website at www.sidcupbaptistchurch.org.uk
St. Andrew's Church (CofE)
Maylands Drive, Sidcup, DA14 4RY. Tel: 020 8300 4712
MAP
mix of traditional and informal styles of worship throughout the month. There is a variety of activities and groups during the week for people of all ages from toddler to retired. Trusting you'll experience the love of God there, you are welcome to sample, visit or even stay. Disabled facilities include hearing loop, wheelchair access to church, hall and toilet on hall level. Sunday service at 10.00am. More information from: or visit their website at www.st-andrewssidcup.org.uk
St. James Church (CofE)
North Cray Road, North Cray, DA14 5HD. Tel: 020 8300 7096
MAP
small, pretty Church on the edge of the Meadows, in quiet surroundings and one of North Cray's best kept secrets. Traditional Anglican services, they welcome families and children and offer an all age service, once a month, which is popular with children from 1 to 91. Sunday services 10.00am (2nd Sunday), 11.15am (1st, 3rd & 4th) and 6.30pm (2nd Sunday).
More information from:or visit their website at www.allsaintsandstjames.org.uk
St. John's Church (CofE)
Church Road, Sidcup, DA14 6BX. Tel: 020 8300 0383
MAP
he church is built to the glory
of God but seeks to make God known to the people in Sidcup. It is a great place for worship, young and old alike can enjoy what they do. Are family friendly and
value and appreciate the more senior members of the Church. There are various groups you can be involved in but just turning up on a Sunday is fine. Why not walk
with them for a while and enjoy the community life at St. John's. Offers wheelchair access to premises and toilet available in church hall.
Sunday services 8.00am and 10.00am.
For information visit their website at www.stjohnsidcup.co.uk
More information from:
St. Lawrence's Church (RC)
129 Main Road, Sidcup, DA15 7HB. Tel: 020 8300 2480
MAP
t. Lawrence's parish was founded from St. Mary's
Chislehurst in 1902. The first Mass was said on the Feast of St. Lawrence of Canterbury, (2nd February) hence the parish name. The church is served by a religious congregation of priests
- The Society of Mary, known more generally as Marist Fathers. A quarterly magazine called News and Views is published, giving details of services and organisations in the parish.
Offers wheelchair access to premises and toilet. Open daily 9.30am; Saturday 9.30am & 6.30pm; Sunday 8.30am, 10.00am and 11.30am.
More information from:
or visit their website at www.rc.net/uk/southwark/stlawrence
LOCAL CHURCH EVENTS
GREETINGS CARD MAKING WORKSHOPS
Saturday, 10.30am - 12noon
AVERY HILL CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
Southspring, Sidcup, DA15 8EA
At Sidcup Baptist Church, Main Road, Sidcup
Extracts from Churches Together Annual Report 2010/2011.
Former Chair of CTIS: Paul Hurren
e have as a group of churches continued to provide a range of activities throughout the year: Carol Singing at Morrison; the Civic Carol Service in partnership with Bexley Council; the Unity Service at St.Lawrences; Pancake Party for children and adults; the March of Witness on Good Friday and the continuing support of the summer event, Lark in the Park. CTiS also continues to meet for prayer around the churches once a month, along side our general meetings, all of which bind us together as a group of churches as we serve our community by putting our faith into action. The range of churches and the vast areas of activities they cover are shown on our web site at: (www.sidcupchurch.org.uk).
It has been a year of change for our churches, with Revd. Ronnie Barham and his family moving from Sidcup Baptist, to take up a new church in South London, We have welcomed Revd. Tom Parson and his family to Christ Church and the Revd. Rupert Hankey and his wife and daughter to St.Andrew`s Church and pray for them as they start to adjust to life here in Sidcup. We have also welcomed a new priest to St. Lawrence’s, Fr.Marcello Pregno, and pray for him in his new role there and for Andy Masters who has been appointed Team Leader for the Children, Young People and Families work at Avery Hill Christian Fellowship.
As always CTiS is looking for new ways to engage with folk who live in our town and have during the course of this year come up with some new ideas. We have been pleased to see the idea for involving young people in more community activities with community action days being planned throughout the year as a way serving. A number of youth leaders from local churches have already met to talk this through, so please watch this space for further details, CTiS have pledged £500 to get this up and running.
We have started to hold Men`s Breakfast a couple of times a year which brings men from across the churches together for fellowship, James Brokenshire MP and Revd. Martin Seymour from TBB & Street Pastors have spoken at them. We have also put together a PowerPoint presentation which can be used around the churches to promote the work of CTiS. We plan that this will be used as a way raising funds for CTiS so we can fund other projects in the future. We are hoping that members of our churches will give a £1 each as a way getting this started.
For me it has been an interesting year and a chance to serve the local churches. It started with involvement in putting together our General Election Question Time meeting, which now seems some distance away. I have attended various inductions, been to the opening of a Black Church in Welling and have taken part in the Sidcup Civic Carol Service and the Service for Christian Unity, as well as various other events.
I would like to thank all those who have served with me on the Executive Committee and others who have supported me during my year of office. As I hand over to Mike Attewell, I know he will be supported by them as well. We should be thankful that CTiS is part of this community and each year as we set out to present the Christian gospel in different ways to folk in our town, CTiS is something we can be proud to be part off.
Paul HurrenChair of Churches Together in Sidcup 2010/11.
More Than Gold
- helping your church
make the most of the 2012 Games
Click for details
The Olympic Flame
is coming to the Borough of Bexley
for an evening celebration
on Sunday 22nd July 2012
At a recent meeting Hilary Brown gave an overview about the
"More Than Gold" initiative.
If you
are willing to be your CTiS church champion
contact Hilary: (npbhab@o2.co.uk)
For more information, visit:
www.morethangold.org.uk/your-church/on-your-marks-tour.html
where other dates and locations are also available.
For more information visit their website: New Community Debt Advice Service
WHAT DO CHRISTIANS BELIEVE?
There are several ways in which we can help you find out more about Christianity, its founder
Jesus Christ, and how Christian faith can improve your life.
The Christian Enquiry Agency provides information for people who want to find out about the Christian faith and its founder Jesus Christ.
Link to: Transform Bexley Borough
Link to: Churches Together in Kent.
For monthly e-News Report from Churches Together in England.
SIDCUP CHURCHES
NEW PRIEST ANNOUNCED
an additional opportunity for collections between 10am and 4pm at the Tesco's Supermarket, in Eddington
Way, Sidcup.
CHRISTIAN AID COLLECTIONS
Amongst the many guests attending this event was the Bishop of Rochester, the Rt. Revd. James Langstaff, visiting Lark in the Park, for the first time
since he was installed as the 107th Bishop of Rochester last year at a special service in Rochester Cathedral. The Vicar of Bagdad Andrew White, a regular visitor,
took part in Park Life event.
