And here are last week’s, just in case you missed them: Notice board 25th July

We believe this is right, and we believe the time is ….now!

Healing on the Streets

Starting with the monthly church leaders fraternal in Hereford, and engaging with leaders from Churches Together in Hereford, Hope4Herefordshire, and from Churches Together in Herefordshire, we have grown in our sense that this is something that God wants us, as the body of Christ here, to offer to the City.

If you don’t know about how Healing On The Streets (HOTS) is being used to touch many lives across the UK, may we suggest that you look at the material on the web at www.out-there.org. This will show you how a simple and gracious offer of Christian healing prayer in the town or city centre is being welcomed by so many people, and is bringing a touch of God’s love into countless lives. Think of what a blessing such a project will be locally!

The attached flier (HOTSflier2010) is designed to give you some material to use in church notices, in your church magazine etc, and is an invitation to church members from across the region to meet together for an information and vision evening. This will take place on Monday 13th September 2010 at St Paul’s Church, Tupsley, starting at 7.30pm, and will include four team members from the Bath HOTS project talking about what they do, and how God is blessing the work – it promises to be an inspiring evening.

It may help you to get more positive about what is proposed – and indeed help your church members too – to watch a DVD about HOTS, and we can gladly supply you with one. Or we can provide someone involved in this project to come and speak on a Sunday morning (just for 5 mins or so) about what we are planning to do (see contact details below)

The names (arranged alphabetically!) at the foot of this letter show you that the Steering Group represents many local churches. We are meeting together on behalf of the wider church, and are acting as the group of church leaders holding this project in trust for the whole church and region.

If you have any questions about the project, or about the steering group, do please get in touch with us on 07771926651 or at hotshereford@gmail.com.

If you would like a copy of the DVD then please contact Helen on 01432 276320 or via  spsjoffice.

HOTS Steering Group
Frank Cornthwaite (Hope4Herefordshire and Christian Life Centre); Martin Erwin (Challenge Community Church); Sue Gasston (New Life Church, Ross); Jonathan Rendall (formerly Schools Advisor, Hereford Diocese; St Peter’s and St James’ Churches); Barbara Stephens (St Peter’s and St James’ Churches); Paul Towner (Rural Dean of Hereford Deanery); Antony Wareham (Hereford Baptist Church); John Watson (St Paul’s Tupsley)

Richard Glasspoole & his band

Saturday 15 July saw the Great Hall of the Bishop’s Palace transformed into a Parisian-style cafe-bistro  for an evening of fine wine, cheese, pate and entertainment, all in aid of the FLIC (Finding Life in the City) project, writes Bill Thomas.

Ambient music at the start was provided by Jonathan Archer, setting a high standard from the first note. The main musical parts of the evening were given by Richard Glasspoole and his band, with a superb mixture of jazz and light classics. Peter Strevens gave a short presentation about FLIC  to remind us of where our money was going (and to encourage more donations).

Our own Bill Thomas gave us some poetry before handing over to guest poet Jeff Rees of Blaenafon, who delighted us with his mellifluous delivery of thoughtful and moving pieces. Richard ended the evening with solo pieces inspired by Jeff’s poems, touching the heart as well as the ears.

Poet Bill Thomas

Grateful thanks are due to all these, plus Janet & Peter Strevens for running the bar, Alison Hairsnape & Sue Vaughan for their backstage work and, above all, Diana Thomas for organising the whole event.

The total raised is (so far) £442.10 – we’re already being asked when the next one will be, so stay tuned…

Missed the Gift Day – it is not too late to make a pledge – contact our treasurer?

The idea of our Gift Day was to give thanks for all the regular financial support that we receive, and also to encourage us all to review and renew our giving. This year’s Gift Day was particularly important because we have experienced unexpected additional costs as both Church House and Close House needed (and continue to need) quite wide-ranging restoration work. This necessary work, together with the current low interest rates, has seriously depleted our reserves.

Vicar Paul Towner just before abseiling down St Peter's tower.

So on July 4th this year we invited our congregations to consider, as we have in previous years,  whether they were able to bring a “thank offering” to the Lord, as a response to His blessings and grace and generosity in the past year – a one-off gift brought simply to acknowledge what the Lord has done.

Also Gift Day was a good opportunity to review and renew our regular giving to the work of our churches. Our annual costs and planned giving are in excess of £120,000 so it is easy to imagine that there are many more things we could do if we had greater financial resources!

Even if you missed a Gift Day service it is not too late to pledge a gift – contact our treasurer, Andy Butterfill, or one of the clergy.

We also encouraged our congregations to review their regular giving and to think and talk about methods of giving (envelopes, standing orders, Gift Aid, etc.). If you wish to discuss this please contact Andy Butterfill, our Treasurer, or one of the Churchwardens. If you would like to talk about the spiritual side of giving, or about your personal circumstances, please contact one of the Clergy.

Read & download Paul’s Gift Day Thank You Letter to our churches.

Money raised by Paul will be divided between the RNCB and the Finding Life In the City (FLIC) project. The great news is that so far Paul has raised well over £400 – it is still not too late to support him.

For a video of Paul’s escapade and more photos visit our Facebook Page

Paul Abseiling

Anthony & Tanya Brooks penned a limerick inspired by Paul’s abseil:

There was a brave Vicar called Paul
Who abseiled down the church wall
With funds on his mind,
A harnessed behind
To fail didn’t feature at all.

The second time he did it blindfold
He had very tightly to hold
To trust those around
Get him to the ground
Would have left some of us cold.

Could you write a limerick celebrating Paul’s achievement? Send it in via our Comments Page, some might even be published!

Diana’s challenging work was inspired by her strong views on the charges some Cathedrals demand from their visitors.

For those who missed the exhibition download a copy of Diana’s primary piece and be amazed: Diana Thomas

Another example is displayed below. Diana’s ideas have received a mixed welcome from some church authorities but support from many more people: see articles in the Hereford Times and Church Times.

Diana's protest post card

The Core Team’s Initial Analysis of the Brainstorming Exercise at the APCM

The Core Team and the PCC examined the list produced by the Annual meeting and has suggested the topics below to go to consultation. The headings from our original list were also grouped into similar general categories to avoid too much duplication. Ideas that are already in train have, in general, been left off the lists below – they are already happening!

The headings agreed by the Core Team and PCC:

Evangelism

• Know our patch. Communication and use of a variety of media
• Organise lots of events to which people can be invited
• People working in the City to have a slot where they can say what they do
• Prayer Walking
• Preparation for evangelism (e.g. Mind the Gap, etc.)
• Run evangelism courses as appropriate and part of an outreach strategy
• Work with the elderly

Discipleship

• 20-30’s Group
• A variety of Bible Studies at different levels
• An Annual Commitment Day (e.g. money, time, life, etc.)
• Away Days, Parish Weekends, Church outings, family days out, etc.
• Mission support (local and overseas)
• Targeted groups
• Teaching on Discipleship (variety of opportunities)

St Peter’s

• Big posters and clear statements
• Homeless, Immigrants and other social needs
• Hospitality & extended church
• Open door & events in church

Download the PCC’s possible priorities for the next year: Brainstorming Priorities

Download the original results of the Brainstorming Exercise from the Annual Meeting: APCM BRAINSTORMING IDEAS

Finding Life in the City (FLIC)
So as we wait for the finances, we need to check that we have done what we should do, and to cry out to God to pour out His blessing.

Treasurer and Administrator Roles
We thank God for answered prayer, and for Andy Butterfill and Helen Durant who have taken up these two key roles recently.

Annual Meetings April 20th.
Let us prepare prayerfully, both for the elections and annual reports, but also about future direction, as the PCC have asked the Core Team to present some priorities for the next few years.

Next church prayer meeting Tuesday 13th April
7.30 tea/coffee 7.45 study 8-9 prayer

Prayer Focus for April

March 31st- April lst
Day of prayer and fasting for FLIC

April lst-April 4th
Holy week and Easter celebrations – particularly for the children’s workshops at St Barnabas on Good
Friday

April 10th Community Coffee
Our monthly event at St James’, growing strong links in the neighbourhood

April 13th Church Prayer meeting
Please join us if you can!

April 15th Deanery Chapter
Looking together at the future pattern of ministry in the city and beyond

April 17th Community Coffee at St Barnabas
Seeking vision for our future ministry in and from that building

April 19th our schools and colleges
Term starts today for most of our local education work – do please pray for staff students, parents and Governors.

April 20th — Annual Meetings
For our review of 2009, for the election of churchwardens, and for our discussion of direction and priorities for the next few years.

Aprils 25th Civic Service
For the Mayor and Councillors who join us today.

April 27th&28th
Interviews at St James’ School for the new Head Teacher to start in September