CHAPLAIN'S NOTES

This is the annual Chassepierre weekend when well over 60 of our folk (mainly from the Evening Service and including guests) will be enjoying time together in the Ardennes. Peter and Helen Walley are with them for the weekend. Tonight, in place of the Evening Service, there will be a Bible study in Church House when we will take a second look at 'Plagues in our time and the peace that Christ can bring'.

Prayer Meeting. Tomorrow night (Monday) in Church House at 20.00 is our monthly Prayer meeting when the Council invites the congregation to join them for prayer. We shall focus especially on Sarah Pennington (commissioning 20 July), James Day (Ordination 5 July, 12.00 in Antwerp) and Sam van Leer (Ordination 29 June, Bern) as well as our own work and ministry.

Vision Committee. The Council has established a Vision Committee to ponder the future use of the buildings following the completion of the renovation programme. I will chair a meeting on 30 June to which anybody is welcome to come and join those on the Council sub-committee. It will be in Church House at 20.00.

            Nigel Walker, Chaplain

 

Ecumenical Service in the Eglise Royale Ste-Marie, Place de la Reine, Schaerbeek at 16.00 today. The theme of the service is "Come, Spirit of life"; it will be in French, English and Dutch and will focus on the Trinity, since today is Trinity Sunday, but with emphasis on the Holy Spirit, since, for the Orthodox churches, today is their Pentecost. There will be particular prayer for HTB to mark the fact that it is our patronal festival. For access by public transport, the nearest are trams 92, 93 and 94. There is a notice in the porch.

COMING SOON . . .

Bun Sunday this month will be next Sunday! Please support us by buying our baked goodies so we can send money to smaller charities not supported by the Mission Giving. Thanks very much! Ann Freeman

INFORMATION

The mission focus for June is Christian Solidarity Worldwide. The loose plate offerings at all 4 services on 22 June will go towards the work of CSW. Christian Solidarity Worldwide is a human rights charity working on behalf of those persecuted for their Christian beliefs. We also promote religious liberty for all. CSW is active in countries like North Korea, Burma, the Sudan, Nigeria, Pakistan and Cuba.   Grass-roots activity is essential to the international work of CSW as we rely on our supporters writing to  MPs, MEPs, ambassadors and other key officials about specific cases of abuse or injustice. Where it is safe to do so, letters are sent to prisoners themselves, letting them know that they're not forgotten. In addition CSW staff working in the British and European Parliaments as well as the United Nations are able to brief key decision makers, and regular delegations to Embassies ensure that governments are well aware of our concerns.  CSW regularly visits our countries of concern as fact-finding missions ensure that CSW has accurate information, so we can stand in solidarity with those who are suffering and finally that we can tailor a practical response to identified needs.  Raising awareness is vital to our work and CSW plays a major role in keeping the media up to date on these issues. Whilst international journalists and camera crews travel with CSW on overseas missions, publicity at a local level includes country profiles, country reports, regular newsletters and a prayer calendar, providing crucial background information.  More information can be found on our website at www.csw.org.uk

Tuesday morning homegroup Are you wanting to join a homegroup? We meet each Tuesday morning at 10.00 at Holy Trinity Church House in the Flat on the second floor, ending by 11.45 at the latest. We will be meeting on 10 and 17 June before a Summer break and would love to welcome you. We are studying Colossians this term, The Supremacy of Christ – what does that mean for our everyday lives? We have fellowship, prayer and study. This group is particularly suitable for women and we provide a separate crèche for those who need it. Look forward to seeing you. If you would like to know more please contact Helen Walley 02/354 59 85 or Ilka Tank 02/675 52 10

CRP News We are glad to report that many of the smaller demolitions are now complete, and the existing lift/elevator has been removed. Next week the heavy demolition takes place (stairs behind the stage). From 23rd June, the wooden porchway will be be dismantled for storage and that corner of the church partitioned off. After that the contractor will break through into the church. All demolitions should be complete by the end of June. Photos of the building site can be seen on the Website, www.htbrussels.com under "News".

 

FOR YOUR DIARIES

Men's retreat will happen again this year at the gite in Rochefort. The dates are 3/4 October (Friday/Saturday). Our speaker will be Dave Healey, a former solicitor, who now runs the publicity side of the Intercontinental Church Society.

 

ADMIN NEWS

Practical help needed! Do you have the soul of a DIY-er, or good arm muscles, and feel you could be called on very occasionally to put up a couple of shelves or help with some heavy lifting? The team at Church House would be very grateful to have a list of volunteers to call on for practical tasks. Please phone or e-mail Vicki at admin@htbrussels.com if you are willing to be on our SOS list and your name will be added to the database under our 'Here to Help' scheme. Many thanks.

 

 

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