CHAPLAIN'S NOTES

Ordinations Sam Van Leer and James Day are to be ordained priest and deacon on 28 June and 5 July respectively. Sam will be ordained in Bern (and members of our congregation will be there to represent us all) and James in Antwerp (12 noon St Boniface). To find the church in Antwerp visit www.boniface.be We invite as many of our congregation as possible to be present for this special occasion.

 

Vacation Bible School Information about the Vacation Bible School run by the International Protestant Church of Brussels is on the notice board for those who might be interested. Dates are 18 - 22 August.

 

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 at 20.00 in Church House to which anybody is welcome to come and join those on the Council sub committee.

 

CSW This month we focus on the work of Christian Solidarity Worldwide. Can I urge you to visit the CSW website www.csw.org.uk where you can read of some of the atrocities being committed against Christians in different parts of the world. More information is given below.

            Nigel Walker, Chaplain

 

 

Today is Bun Sunday Please come and buy our baked goodies (quiches, sausage rolls, cakes, biscuits, etc), marmalades and TEARcraft tea and coffee after the 10.30 service. The money raised goes to projects not supported by our Mission giving.

Karen woven goods are on sale today after the morning, afternoon and evening services to coincide with today's mission focus on Christian Solidarity Worldwide. All profits go to Karen refugees from Burma.

 

INFORMATION

The mission focus for June is Christian Solidarity Worldwide. The loose plate offerings at all 4 services today 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

The CHS Community Helpline This English-speaking telephone help service is looking for committed volunteers. Training and supervision are provided and the next training course will take place in October. For more information, see the flyer under the porch or ring the CHS on 02/647 67 80.

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. All is going to schedule however it has been decided to delay the dismantling of the wooden panelling in the church, until the week beginning 11 August. This will mean a small rearrangement of the pews at the back of the church from that date. Photos of the building site can be seen on the Website, www.htbrussels.com under "News".

Two members of the congregation need a lift to Dover on the weekend of 28/29 June, or shortly after. If you are going that way and have two spare seats to offer, please call the Church Office.

 

FOR YOUR DIARIES

Men's retreat will happen again this year at the gite in Rochefort. The dates are 10^th / 11th October (Friday/Saturday). Our speaker will be Dave Healey, a former solicitor, who now runs the publicity side of the Intercontinental Church Society.

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