A warm welcome to all today Join us after the service for coffee and drinks in the side aisle. You are most welcome to stay around and talk. If you are new please make yourself known especially to the clergy; we would be grateful if you would fill in a yellow card at the Welcome Table.

Peter Hindle, who has played such an outstanding role in Holy Trinity over a number of years, especially in his capacity as Vice Chair of the Council, Warden and Reader, preaches his last sermon at 10.30 today prior to his retirement in January. This is an opportunity for me to record my appreciation of his outstanding contribution to Holy Trinity. Wonderfully backed up by his wife Jan we wish them both every blessing in their retirement to Northumberland (England) in January.

Labourers Many thanks to all who turned out yesterday and last Saturday to prepare the hall rooms for renovation. Filling those skips with unwanted material has saved us thousands of euros – and most people found it fun, too!

Next Sunday is Advent Sunday Our service at 10.30 will be All Age Worship when our children and young people will join us. Gifts from the whole congregation will be sent to Les Cailloux Children's Home and Foyer Lilla Monod for young women (for further details see Toy Sunday under Coming soon . . . ). In the evening there will be an Advent Service with readings, silence, and music from the Taizé Community in France.

Confirmation and Renewal of Marriage Vows The next Confirmation will be on the 8 December at 10.30. Those who would like to renew their Marriage Vows can do so on Monday 9 December at a special service in Holy Trinity at 20.00. Bishop John Taylor, Assistant Bishop in Europe, will preside at both events.

Hip! Hip! Unfortunately, my other hip now needs replacing. I am going into Clinique St Jean on Monday 25 November. From that date Peter will be responsible for the pastoral ministry here until I return in mid January. I much look forward to saying the Hoorah! bit after the event!

Nigel Walker, Chaplain

 

TODAY

At 10.30 during Communion Peter Hindle will speak on 'Sheep have responsibilities'.

At 14.00 during Communion, Isaac Mensah, Assistant Chaplain, will speak on 'Christian commitment'.

At 19.00 during the Evening Praise service Nigel Walker, Chaplain, will speak on 'The Psalms - Israel's prayers and ours?'.

COMING SOON . . .

Prayer and fellowship on Wednesday afternoons.  Mary and Mary-Jo have restarted a prayer/fellowship meeting on Wednesday afternoons at 5 Av. du Derby, (parallel with Av Franklin Roosevelt, and on tram-route 93 and 94).  Ring doorbell labelled Nimmons.   We invite you to join us anytime, and especially during the 4 Wednesdays of Advent, starting 27 November.  The meeting starts at 13.15 with soup and drinks (provided) and sandwiches (bring your own), and ends at 15.30.  Our aim is to pray for all the ministries of Holy Trinity, especially the youth and children's ministry.  During Advent we plan to take as a starting-point four visions of Christ from the Book of Revelation.  First one is Rev 1:9-19. Any questions ring 02/640 50 18.

Christian Women's Club International (active worldwide under the name Stonecroft Association) have just started an ecumenical French-speaking Breakfast Meeting in Woluwe St Pierre, at Av Parmentier 250, right on the 36 bus route.  The next meeting is on Thursday 28 November, 9.45 till midday.  Cost Û5.  Do come and bring a friend.  For more details ring Mary (02/770 77 15)

Grand Church Fair of the Protestantse Kerk 'Samen op Weg' Saturday November 30 at Nouveau Marche aux Grains 8, 1000 Brussels, from 14.00-20.00. The organisers hope to welcome many visitors, to raise funds for the Protestant Social Centre in Brussels, and for their own church activities. At the same time, the church fair offers the possibility to meet people!!! Everybody is welcome.

Attention newcomers and old comers! WHEN: 30 November. WHAT: Holy Trinity is sponsoring an informal Christian Fellowship social. WHERE: The get together will be held at Mary Ann Tadross's apartment, her address is Place Stephanie 2 (within walking distance of Holy Trinity). Louise is the nearest Metro station and there is plenty of parking available in the vicinity. WHAT TIME: 19.30. WHAT TO BRING:  Please bring an appetizer from your country to share. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to get to know one another!  We hope to see you there!  For additional information please call Pam Mackenzie at 02/736 99 47 or Kathy Johnson at 02/242 12 77. You will be asked to make a donation for beverages.  The donated money will go towards the renovation fund for the bar.

1 December is Toy Sunday There was a magnificent response re gifts for children's homes.  Just two children from Les Cailloux Home remain unsponsored.  Please see ushers, who have the tags, or speak to Mary.  Now we need one or two volunteers to buy and wrap the 17 gifts of toiletries for the girls at Foyer Lilla Monod.  It is very important to bring your wrapped and labelled gifts back today, or at the latest next Sunday.  They must be taken to the homes in time for St Nicholas Day, 6 December. Volunteers please ring 02/770 77 15.

Bun Sundays in December On the 1st after the special Taizé service at 19.00 Christmas cards and TEAR Craft food products (coffee, tea, etc) will be available. On the 15th after the 10.30 service we will be holding a festive Bun Sunday with mince pies and a selection of other Christmas goodies for sale. Please support us so we can help smaller charities.  Any offers of baked goods gratefully accepted.  Bun Sunday on 10 November raised Û155. Ann Freeman (02/252 39 80)

6 December is St Nicolas' Day and on that day there will be a concert given here in aid of the Centenary Renovation Project. Benjamin Britten's St Nicolas, performed by Choir, Tenor solo, Pickled Boys and Orchestra, is a most attractive work. Come at 20.00 and bring your friends.

The next Missions Prayer evening will be held on Wednesday 11 December from 20.00 to 21.30.  This time we will meet at the YWAM cafeteria, Avenue des Celtes 17, right by Metro Merode.  All welcome.

15 December at 19.30 is our traditional Carol Service. There will be candles in the church, but because of the flammable chairs please do not bring candles yourself. Please bring electric torches. Because the hall is closed there will be no mince pies and mulled wine this year.

YOUTH AND CHILDREN

All leaders and helpers of Scramblers, Climbers, Explorers, Pathfinders and CYFA are requested to meet in the Conference Room Church House tomorrow, Monday evening 25 November to discuss how the groups are going and to plan rotas through Christmas and New Year period.  If you cannot come please send details of your availability in December/January/February to the leader of your section.

INFORMATION

James and Birte Day and family will be returning to Belgium in June 2003.  After completing training in Cambridge and ordination James will be Assistant Curate at St Boniface, Antwerp.  The Bishop has asked that James continue in his post as Professor in the Universite catholique de Louvain and UCL have released James half-time so that he may exercise ordained ministry in the Church of England.  James and Birte need to find their own housing, and ask your prayers and practical help in finding suitable accommodation in Antwerp or Brussels. Call on 0044 1223 517 827 or e-mail jmd57@cam.ac.uk 

November Mission Focus is on CARE - Christian Action Research & Education. CARE is a well-established mainstream Christian charity that undertakes a variety of social caring and educational programmes in the UK as well as research and lobbying to promote Christian ethical values. Collections from all our services last Sunday will go to support CARE's work. There is a CARE exhibition at the rear of the Church with free literature

Intercessors, lay assistants, readers etc please collect next quarter's rota from your pigeon hole.

We need a TV monitor and video recorder in good working order for the Church House Flat, where most children's groups are now held.  Could anyone donate / provide this equipment?  We would be most grateful.  Please ring Mary on 02/770 77 15.

Toilets A toilet is now available outside in the courtyard by Church House. Other toilets are in Church House.

Please do not bring any more clothes, books, or other things for the Protestant Centre as we do not have anywhere to keep them. If you have such things please go directly to the Protestant Centre, or Les Petits Riens.

New daytime homegroup with crèche Would you like to make it to a homegroup
but can't, because the timing has not been right for you?  Well here is another option... From Tuesday 10 December we are starting a new morning group.  It is for anyone who finds this a good time, and we are offering a crèche (a small charge
will be made). There will be opportunity for study, prayer and fellowship. We plan to meet Tuesdays 9.30 -11.00 at the home of Ilka Tank, 439 Chaussée de la Hulpe, 1170 Watermael Boitfort. On that first day Helen Walley will lead an Advent meditation in music, word and prayer, in preparation for Christmas. We will then continue after the new year. If you are interested or want to ask any questions, then please contact Ilka Tank (02/675 52 10) or Helen Walley (02/354 59 85). We both have answer phones for you to leave a message, if necessary.   All are welcome.