Protestant Social Centre Today our loose plate collections will go to the Protestant Social Centre. Many of us are concerned about the levels of poverty in Brussels and the beggary now on our streets. One way we can respond to this is to support the centre as it seeks to help refugees and the poor. We are delighted to welcome Jacqueline Vanderhaegen from the centre who will be interviewed at 10.30 and 19.00 and who will explain something of her work among refugees.

Centenary Renovation Project The first contract has been signed and work begins on 26 May. My colleague, Peter Walley, as Chairman now of the Building Committee, expects the normal door of entry to be closed as of next week. From the 25 May it is expected, therefore, that entry will be by the Ceremonial Door only.

Worship at 1030 'Model D' Council discussed my proposed 'Model D' Service last Monday. One or two suggestions were made and a copy of the proposal, incorporating those suggestions, is at the back of the church. Reasons are set out in the paper and, if agreed, would be implemented after the renovations have been completed.

Diocesan Synod The Synod begins tomorrow (Monday 19) through to the following Friday. Both Paulina van Rijn and I will be attending. I then expect to visit Sarah Pennington, training at All Nations College in preparation for missionary work and James and Birte Day in Cambridge, prior to their ordination in Antwerp in July. I shall then take a few days holiday but return in time for Sunday 1 June.

Nigel Walker, Chaplain

                                                                                                           

COMING SOON . . .

The new Alpha course is starting on Thursday 15 May . This course is recommended for those who want to learn about the basics of Christian faith. For more information, please pick up a leaflet at the back of the church.

'Igniting the passion of worship' Two evenings with Bob Sorge, author of Exploring Worship, at the Christian Center, Chaussée de Waterloo 47, Rhode-St Genèse on 26 and 27 May. More info from 0497 54 12 96 or BrusselsEuroWorship@hotmail.com

The Men's and Girls' choir of York Minster will be singing at our 20.00 service on Ascension Day, Thursday 29 May. Please make this widely known – and see the note 'Fun needed!' below.

Chassepierre 2003 This year our annual weekend away in the Ardennes is from 13 - 15 June. This is a great opportunity to meet new people, relax and sample the beauty the Ardennes have to offer . . . Information sheets are available at the back of the church. Places are limited and are going quickly so sign up soon! If you would like more information please contact Heather Roy, Lucy Whittles, Jon Morgan, Becky Foreman or Ingrid Kelling. Alternatively email hjroy@yahoo.co.uk See you there!!

Christian Outreach Through Sport Please note our annual Golf Day at Bercuit is arranged for Friday 13 June. Contact Ken Thomas on 02/657 05 57 for further info.

INFORMATION

Fun needed! The York Minster Men's and Girls' choir, who are singing for us at the 20.00 Ascension service on the 29 May, would like to discover a little bit of Brussels in their spare time here, on Tuesday 27 and Thursday 29 May in the afternoon. Fun and/or culture are the order of the day. Does anyone have any idea how best to make the girls happy (preferably within walking distance of the church for the Thursday)? And anybody willing to come and help and accompany is most welcome! Please speak to Peter Walley.

Alternatives, centre d'aide pour femmes enceintes (crisis pregnancy centre) is in need of baby clothes for ages 0 - 12 months, especially for new borns.   If you can help, please phone Alternatives at 02/737 91 32 or contact Sheila Cuthbertson or Catherine Pennington.  Thank you.

Helpers needed! The Climbers and Scramblers groups could really benefit from some additional helpers for their Sunday morning activities.  Could you give up one Sunday morning a month to help?  If we could find at least four people then that is all you would have to do! If you would like to know more please contact Heather Roy at hjroy@yahoo.co.uk  THANK YOU

Centenary Renovation Project With the important permission received  for the first phase of the building work, and the authority for the rest of the work promised, the first contract was signed on 23 April. And the real work will begin at the end of this month!  By now most of the congregation have collected the letters from the back of Church. If you have not already collected your letter outlining the final stage of our appeal and containing the pledge form, please inform Vicki at Church Office Monday to Thursday mornings. We will invite you to return your pledge form in a sealed envelope at special services on Pentecost Sunday, 8 June. Alternatively you can place yours (also in a sealed envelope) at any time in Andrew Johnson's pigeon hole in the porch. And finally we invite your prayers for the successful completion of this important work to strengthen the work of God here in Brussels.

 

ADMIN NEWS

Important appeal As you will see from Nigel's notes, the building work for the Centenary Renovation Project starts on 26 May. The church door will then be permanently closed and the way into the church will be through the garden door. The church door key will be unusable.

WOULD ALL THOSE IN POSSESSION OF CHURCH KEYS PLEASE HAND THEM OVER TO PAULINA VAN RIJN OR VICKI AT THE CHURCH OFFICE.

Yours very gratefully, the Maintenance and admin. bods

To all those who use the photocopier in the church offices We are now in the process of detailing what the photocopying needs for each church group and committee are. This is an important step in a very necessary process of budget control. In order to do this, we are requesting that all users fill in the form on (or near!) the machine. Many thanks for your cooperation.

The French to English translation team is doing a wonderful job on the Newsletter but still needs more members. If you master both languages well, and have some spare time, please get in touch with Vicki at the office.

A new 'HTB Classified' space has been created on the church website for all those Wanted – Needed – On Offer ads you would like to post up. Please send the exact text and format you want to appear to webmaster@htbrussels.com

Items for the Newsletter Please send these, at the latest by 9.00 on Tuesdays, to the Church Office or by e-mail to David.Iliff@Pandora.be