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on
our church family and friends
August 2017
FOCUS
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Regular Ministries and ActivitiesPlease see our weekly sheet for times
Sunday Morning service and Powerhouse 10.30 Evening service 6.30 Nepali Church in the Warwick Room 10.00 Sunday@One Cornerstone 10.30
Monday Bright Sparks (2-5 years) NHS Baby clinic Open Door Carpet Bowls Christian Bikers’ Fellowship Deacons’ Prayer - monthly
Tuesday Works Dynamic lunchtime prayer Tuesday@12 Racquet sports meets 1st, 3rd and 5th weeks Badminton Choir - not during summer months Deacons’ meeting – monthly Quiet prayer – monthly
Wednesday Open Door ASK Friendship Group – fortnightly, term time only Play and Sing (0-5 years) New Mums’ Fellowship Group Arts and Crafts Retreads - Bi-monthly Sea Scout troop
Thursday Prayer meeting – 1st week Lunch club – 1st week Bible Study/House group – fortnightly Church Meeting – 3rd week
Friday Open Door Stay and Play (0-5 years) Remix – not school holidays Street Pastors
Saturday Street Pastors
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At Colchester Baptist Church
Our PURPOSE is to follow
Jesus Christ and
make Him known
Our VISION is to be a
growing, thriving
nurturing family of God
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There was a young man of Greek descent,With whom chaos would follow wherever he went,You see, deep in his brain an idea was brewing,Where to focus his time, his life and his doing.
Since '93 we've been getting together,Whatever the temperature, good or bad weather,With one main directive and one proper purpose,
To go deeper with Jesus,not just scratching the surface.
And that is our prayer as you join us this year,Seek his face, draw close, do persevere,
Whatever you do, get stuck in, have some fun,There's loads of activities and stuff to be done.
But in all that we do, have a think,let's take notice,
And keep Jesus our central and unmoving focus.
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Dates for your Diary
August
Wednesday 2nd - Messy Church am
Saturday 5th - Amiable Amblers
18th - 30th - Soul Survivor - Peterborough
The deadline for September Focus will be
Wednesday August 16th
If anyone has more Remix photos or would like to add a few words toRobin’s I’d love to see them. Anything from Remix members themselves,
even one sentence, will be in September
Have a lovely summer everyone!
The opinions and conclusions published in “Focus” arethose of the authors and do not necessarily
represent the views of theChurch or Church Leadership
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who celebrated their
in July
and to
who also celebrated their
in July
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Sarah’s story
So here I am at the end of my Discipleship year. It has been such anamazing year. Half of my internship I have been doing youth andchildren’s work in Tiptree and the surrounding area and getting involvedwith various youth groups, Messy Church, Homework Club and Prayerspaces at a couple of primary schools which I have enjoyed and have gotmore experience working with children and youth.
The other half of the internship I have been doing the New WineDiscipleship year where I have received some great times of worship,teaching on loads of subjects including on leadership, persecuted church,the trinity, character and lots more.
We have also had times of prayer ministry, made new friends, a coupleof weekends away and a mission trip to Stockholm in Sweden. I havereally enjoyed these sessions with the New Wine Discipleship year as ithas helped me grow closer to Jesus, I have found out more who I am, Ifeel that I have found my purpose my calling, I have grown in confidenceand It has been great to meet Christians my own age.
I am still not sure what I am going to be doing in September but I knowGod has a plan for me in September and for my future and I can’t waitto see it unravel in the years to come.
I am really looking forward to the summer from the 21�� to 29�� JulyI will be at New Wine volunteering with the Rock solid team, which is achildren’s group for 8-9 year olds and really look forward to seeing whatGod will do through the children and me during that week.
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From Friday 18�� to 30�� August I am going to be atSoul Survivor weeks B and C. At week B I am going tobe a village host with Stuart who is the youth workerat Tiptree and we will also be taking 3 young peoplewith us from Tiptree and will be camping with SaffronWalden Church and Coggeshall Church.
At week C I am going to be volunteering on the Café team which involvesmaking and serving coffee, tea, chocolate and cakes. Again I am lookingforward to see what God has planned for those couple of weeks throughthe young people and myself.
Please pray for these events that many children, young people and olderpeople will come into closer relationship with God and some will findhim for the first time.
Please pray for the three young people that myself and Stu are taking toSoul Survivor that they will experience God in a new way.
Please pray for me as I work with the Children at New Wine that I will beable to share my faith with them and have the energy for each day.
Sarah TwitchettWe will hear more from Sarah soon
The Morris family will be moving to a new home in August.Ask in the office for their address
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Preachers for August
morning evening
6th - Rev Graham Dallison Eileen Warner
13th - Peter Beard Rev Rod Sawtell
20th - Rev Carl Moorhouse Rev David Harper
27th - Rev Clive Jones John Burman
Rev Graham Dallison
Graham Dallison was minister at Homelands Free church. Walton on Nazefrom 1987 until his retirement about 2 years ago. His brother Keith wasa deacon at Eld Lane whilst he was director of St Helena’s Hospice.
Graham was also a trainer with learning resources for the Bible.
Peter Beard
Led Christian Design and Print Ministry based in Essex for many yearsbefore becoming Pastor of Bures Baptist Church, Suffolk in 2001.
He is now actively retired serving the churches of South Suffolk andNorth Essex and lives in Capel St Mary.
Thanks to David Harper and Terry Tennens for these notes
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The Future of the Church?
The preaching plan forecast that ‘Connect/After Hours’ would be takingthe evening service on July 9th. What it could not forecast was that thechurch looks likely to be in safe hands in future years. After Leader,Rebecca Pulford, had given an introduction there followed a mostinteresting and mature service. Yes, it was a service, albeit with a slightlydifferent format.
Each of the five people taking part spoke confidently with an obviousinterest in, and knowledge of, their particular subject. Each part wasscripture orientated and followed by a related hymn. It was a change fromthe usual block sermon but the five parts taken together were quite thoughtprovoking.
Laura Baxter’s subject was ‘Light’, for Grace Morris it was ‘Water’,Rachel Cox spoke on ‘Stewardship and the environment’, Becky Harbordcovered ‘Genetics’ and finally, Tom Hills gave us ‘Inventions and Talents’.Each speaker ended with a prayer.
I must confess to being a bit alarmed on arrival. I was ‘greeted’ by a wholedoorway full of young people – especially as I was trying to sneak in withmy walking frame! Were they, at that stage, just clinging together formoral support? No need – they gave us a memorable service which wouldbe worth repeating on another occasion.
I am indebted to Grace for sorting me out on names and subjects. As Iam not in the same age group I had to get some help on this!A big thank you to all for a very memorable evening service.Blessings!
June Burman
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BMS Birthday Scheme
August
7�� Brenda Reade 11�� Pearl Tarbin
14�� Ted Drake 28�� Elizabeth Bischoff
28�� Chris Ellis
Flowers in the SanctuaryAugust
6th - Geoff Thorpe & Twitchett family13th - Janet Tyler in memory of John20th - Shirley Turton in memory of Geoffrey27th - Graham and Brenda Courtier
Amiable Amblers
5�� August 2.30pmDedham Vale
Park in the tarmac car park in Mill Lane.MR 058335 CO7 6DH
Contact Rene Blinman 01206 767323/07974 991814
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Could it be a blockbuster?
It’s got everything – rags to riches story,tragedy and family loss, blossoming lovebetween a penniless woman and wealthylandowner, and a happy ending!
No, not Jane Austen, but the Bible – inparticular the book of Ruth, where we seeGod at work behind the scenes in an amaz-ing way as his plan unfolds.
This will be the theme of the 4 evening services in August, led by ourin-house team of preachers.
So if, through this holiday time you find you have a little more time, whynot plan to come along and join us on Sunday evenings. It is an opportu-nity for a quieter service and a brilliant way to start the week.
Rosemary Boreham
Going up
Charlotte Baker and Harrison Ellis
are also going to Secondary School
in September
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Summer Fayre
On Friday 14th July over 100 children and adultsjoined Remix to help celebrate our 5th Birthday.
We were blessed with a fine summer evening and enjoyed the BBQ,Archery, Bouncy assault course, Jousting, Bucking Broncho, IceCream van, face painting and a variety of games and challenges.
We even completed what is probably the world’s first game of giantgarden Carcassonne which had been made especially for the eventby the children of Remix.
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Many thanks go to:
· Tim, Jax and Josh for letting us invade their garden;
· Pam, Keith, John, Carol, Chris and Jane for keeping us allfed with the BBQ;
· Mark for transport;
· The leaders and children of Remix for organising and su-pervising the different activities;
· And everyone from the church and Remix who came andsupported us.
Following on from the inspiring recent evening service led by theAfter Hours group we clearly have much to celebrate and bethankful for with our youth and families work and many excitingopportunities for the future
Can I therefore urge you to continue to support the youth andfamilies work through prayer (particularly in our search for someoneto pastor and support our youth) and consider offering some of yourtime to support one of the groups if possible.
Robin Harbord (Remix Coordinator)
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RETREADSOur next outing has been arranged for
Wednesday 27th September 12.45pm for 1pm.We have a new venue for this time -
THE RED LION, Clacton Road,Thorrington CO7 8EX.
The cost is £15. for two courses, including tip.There is a large choice:
Mains
Pie of the day served peas & gravy with mash or chips Calves' liver served with crispy bacon mash and onion
gravy
Homemade beef lasagne served with garlic bread and saladHam egg and chips and peas
Beer battered fresh fish and chips peas
Quorn lasagne served with garlic bread and salad
Pan fried chicken breast served with rice and salad
Sweets Apple and another fruit crumble custard/ice cream
Chocolate brownie with ice creamCheese cake
Banoffee pie with custard or ice cream Pavlova
Ice creamIf you would like to come, and all are welcome regardless ofage, then add your name to the list and indicate yourpreference.The closing date is 17th September and I wouldlike all payment by then please. Yvonne Lee
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Christmas Tree Festival and Christmas Market
9th December 2017
I know Christmas seems a long way offbut it will be here before we know it!
Plans are underway for a Christmas Tree Festival and we haveinvited organisations to decorate a tree for the church in therun up to Christmas.
We would also like to invite individuals to be involved bymaking/decorating a tree, either real or artificial. Charity shopssuch as the Hospice shop usually have a good supply of artificialtrees .
So if you think you have a novel way of decorating a Christmastree please let us know. There are lots of ideas to be found onPinterest or Google. It would be good to have all age groupscoming up with ideas so if you would like to be involved pleasespeak to
Carol Clubb, Kate Bull or Pam Simpson.
The intention is to have the church open during the two weeksbefore Christmas so that people will not just pass by but havethe opportunity to come into the church and spend time thinkingabout what Christmas really means.
Pam Simpson
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Earlier in the year I wrote in Focus about how hunger, particularlyduring school holidays, affects pupils and their families, and impactstheir learning.
It’s long been a prayer of mine to be able to do something aboutthis situation. This summer my prayers are being answered.
Three “Food in school holidays” projects will run, mainly aimed atprimary school children.
· Greenstead MakeLunch is running 7th to 11th August and is ateam effort of local volunteers, including a community of nunsand members of Colchester Baptist Church. As well as a hot andhealthy meal each day, there will also be activities provided byColchester United. The event is taking place at Unity PrimaryAcademy and school staff have volunteered to join the team.
· Myland MakeLunch will run every Thursday throughout the holi-days and is another example of local collaboration, with localchurches partnering to make a difference in the community.Meals will be served at Myland Parish Halls and there will also befree activities.
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Both projects are linked to the national MakeLunch organisation;they have received MakeLunch training and are entirely free for thechildren using them. Local organisers also hope to provide “takehome meals” to reduce the hunger burden on vulnerable families;these will also be free of charge.
At the end of each meal served, statistics will be sent to the nationalorganisation; this information will be collated with the intention ofinfluencing government decisions.
The third project is being run at Firstsite and is part of their summerholiday activities. Activities run daily and there will be free mealsprovided, on Mondays and Wednesdays each week of the holidays.This additional project has only emerged in the last few weeks, andalthough there has not been time to register it with MakeLunch, it’sclear from my conversations with Firstsite that they share valueswith the other two projects.
All three projects would love to provide meals in future holidays andwe will evaluate the effectiveness of this summer before workingout how best to do this.
I would love you to pray for this venture, especially that those inmost need of the food will get to hear about it, as well as thankingGod for the amazing people from across the town who have workedhard to make this possible.
If you would like to know more about MakeLunch, please ask meone Sunday, or email me on [email protected].
Marie Morris
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Finance Report
LegacyWe have received a £5,000 legacy from the estate of Mr John Rawlings unspecified.The total amount in the Legacy fund is now £15,000.
Pension Roadshow – Eastern Baptist AssociationDavid Prentice and myself attended the Eastern Baptist Association , PensionRoadshow on the 15th July.This was to understand the financial shortfall in the defined benefits BaptistMinisters pensions scheme.
This currently is around £110 million and effects 1,346 Baptist churches whohave had Ministers or staff in this defined benefits pension scheme.
For Colchester Baptist Church we need to keep paying the regular monthly deficitcontribution which currently is an annual cost of £2,459.
The Baptist Employers Group is looking to reduce the deficit with cash injectionsfrom BUGB, Associations and Colleges.
If interest rates increase the deficit will reduce.
I expect our deficit contribution to increase to say £5,000 per annum in 2018/19.
A long term issue and as part of the Baptist family we need to help resolve.
Many organisation have this as an issue, for example the BBC where of the £147licence fee , apparently £8.54 of it was used last year to make up pension deficitshortfalls!
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My apologies for those who attended the July church meeting ,here isthe financial position of the churches General account as at30th June 2017 (1st 6 months)
Budget ActualIncome 76,065 75,114 951 less
Expenditure 60,106 74,914 14,808 extra expense
Surplus/(Deficit) 15,959 200 Only a small surplus
The 12 months budget was to give a surplus of £9,963
However, when presenting the budget in November I did say the situationwas very fluid as appointments and change would occur.
The main differences that have reduced the expected surplus are as follows:-· The gift given to New Growth Ministry to support Rev Lynsey
Heslegrave in her pioneer mission within Myland area ofColchester
· The joy and blessing of having Rev Terry Tennens join the fellow-ship as a Transition Minister two days per week from the1�� January 2017.
The budget has allowed for the major Summer works that are taking place tothe premises both internally and externally.
Treasurer’s thoughtsWe may still have a surplus for the year but perhaps less than the budgetedfigure of £9,963.
If you require any information or assistance regarding your personal giving,please speak to either myself Chris Chapman ,David Prentice or Peter Howard.This will be in the strictest confidence as we look to serve our Lord in thisplace.
Chris Chapman - Treasurer
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More pictures from Remix Summer Fayre by Robin Harbord.Some are a little dark as it was evening
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Heather and Ian would like to thank everyone at
Colchester Baptist Church
who sent cards and messages of sympathy for theloss of Mum.
We have been overwhelmed by the number of peoplewho attended Mum's
Thanksgiving Service,
expressing the great respect they had for her.
We give special thanks to
and
for all they did to ensure we had the upliftingservice we wanted as a celebration of Mum's life.
Thanks also go to the team of people who worked sohard behind the scenes to make sure
everything went well.
Thank you for all your kindness and support.
With sincere thanks,
and
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Walking Home
A few years ago, a friend of ours undertook anamazing journey. He set himself the challenge ofwalking 2000km down the East coast of Australia.Now, that is not something anyone wouldundertake lightly, yet he managed to persuade twofriends to walk with him.
Their objective was not fundraising or a place in the Guinness Book of Records.In many ways it was much humbler than that, yet with potential far-reachingconsequences.
Andrew ‘Sav’ and his wife Hélène have had an ‘interesting’ life. He is Australianand she was born to Scottish parents in France, which is where we met her afew days after our move to Rouen in 1985. The two of them met on the OMship Doulos, and worked with Ian in France for a while. Their four children wereborn in three different continents. But the continent that shaped most of theirlife together was not any of those three!
Their life’s work was to be for Wycliffe Bible Translators, developing a form ofwriting a language spoken by tribes in remote parts of Africa, bordering on theSahara. This involved long periods living in Africa, many hours sitting and talkingwith the local people, Andrew wearing his navy blue turban like the other men,despite the extreme heat. A literacy project used local and Biblical proverbs toawaken interest.
So the long walk was a way for Andrew to ‘reconnect’ with the country of hisbirth, but also a way to raise awareness of the need for Bible translation in the2000 languages of the world that still had no part of the Bible. After a long daywalking in the heat down the Bruce Highway or along snake-infested grass paths,the three men held meetings and sought to inspire others with Wycliffe’s visionto reach all these language groups by the year 2025.
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I could tell you more, but Andrew can tell you himself. Last year he publisheda book, ‘Walking Home’, which tells the story of the walk and of his life in avery engaging and entertaining way, with his own pen and ink illustrations.
The book can be ordered online (at www.walkinghome2000.com) but if you’requick I can let you have a copy for £10, post free! I will have a few copies withme at church on Sundays, or you can send me a message in the next couple ofweeks.
It has taken me a while to write this review due to an unexpected turn of events.The book launch was last August at Andrew’s younger daughter’s wedding (!)We are so glad to have this book now – Andrew’s legacy – as he ‘walked home’to be with his Lord just a few weeks later.
Susan Sydenham
to
who celebrate their
on Saturday 29th July
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A belated Happy Birthday to Geraldwho was 90 on 18 July.
With his wife Doreen and in due course childrenJennifer, Robert and Nigel, Gerald was part of the
church atEld Lane from the 1940's to 70's.
This included a period when, with Don Stephens,Gerald was in charge of work at Blackheath (Orchard).
In 1975 Gerald got promotion to work for the CountyCouncil in Bedford where he attended
Bunyan Free Church.Doreen sadly died there in 1987.
Later Gerald moved to the Chesterfield area ofDerbyshire where he still lives.
He was asked to take charge of the work atClay Cross Baptist Church 1996 - 99.
Gerald has happy memories of Eld Lane andsends greetings to all who remember him.
There will be
news of University Graduations and
new students in September
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MINISTERTRANSITION MINISTER
REV TERRY TENNENS [email protected]
MIKE BAKER [email protected]
CHRIS CHAPMAN [email protected]
REMIX CO-ORDINATORROBIN HARBORD [email protected]
POWERHOUSE CO-ORDINATORVacant
OPEN DOOR DIRECTORPETER DALE [email protected]
CARE OF THE ELDERLY WORKERGILL CHELSKI [email protected]
FOCUS EDITORSHIRLEY DRAKE [email protected]
CHURCH OFFICE ADMINISTRATORPAUL CLOVER
All correspondence through church officeOpen Monday-Friday 9.30am-1.30pm Tel: 571879
Colchester Baptist Church, Eld Lane, Colchester CO1 1LSEmail: [email protected]
www.colchesterbaptistchurch.org.ukCharity no. 1127024
