The flowers in church today were donated by Mary Sampson of the Work Seekers and Facilitators Group in thanksgiving to God for a six months work contract.

CHAPLAIN'S NOTES

The Mission The warmest of welcomes to Gottfried Osei-Mensah who is our preacher today on behalf of African Enterprise both at 10.30 and 14.00. I am delighted to welcome Gottfried, originally from Ghana but now living in the UK and President of African Enterprise. Please note that the loose plate collection today will be given to African Enterprise.

There will be no evening service tonight. Instead we encourage members of our congregation to go to the Christian Center, Chaussée de Waterloo 47, Rhode-St-Genèse for a final service at 18.00 when we will gather together with members from other congregations in and around Brussels.

I telephoned Hugh Cox (Chairman of Christian Impact) to ascertain his views on the Christian Impact mission. He said that he was encouraged thus far, making special mention of some significant contacts made by the evangelists in the course of their work. One person sent an e-mail and described the breakfast on Tuesday in the Colonial Palace as a 'transforming experience' in his life. There have been some good contacts in the schools that have been visited and in the one-to-one opportunities where the evangelists have also made some useful contacts. However, some numbers have been disappointing, notably at NATO – partly due at least to the recent tragedy experienced by the Chaplain there.

The business breakfast was packed (around 120 people) with around 70-80 at the special event for African countries with Michael Cassidy speaking on the subject 'A New Hope for Africa' and around 60-70 at the evening meeting for dignitaries and others.

Vision Committee There will be a Vision Committee meeting on Monday 24 November. Those who were present last time are welcome to come as are any other members who would be interested to contribute future thoughts to our renovated buildings.

 

Congratulations May I add my congratulations to Richard and Sally on the birth of Daniel; Mario and Fiona on the birth of James and Joshua, and Sarah on the birth of Daniel. Daniel Livestro (the latest addition) weighed in at 3.39kg and is 52 centimetres long. This means all three babies were the same length. Was there some collusion? It all bodes well for our children's work in the future!

Nigel Walker

OPPORTUNITIES

The International Christian Women's Club of Brussels is planning a 'Country Fair' Brunch at 9.45 on Tuesday 18 November at La Chevalerie, avenue Brassine 38, 1640 Rhode-St-Genèse. Tickets €10. (02/652 45 38 or hlk700@aol.com for more information)

Calling all bakers & buyers: Bun Sunday has been moved to 23 November this month. We hope to have lots to sell then so we can support the smaller charities.

Ann Freeman (02/252.30.80)

Sarah Supporters!  Reminder: There will be an evening of prayer for the Muslim world, plus a special focus on Sarah, who is currently working with deaf children in the Middle East on Friday 21 November at 48 Rue Verte / Groenstraat, 1950 Kraainem. 19.00 Supper for those who need / want it (please let Catherine know if you'd like to be fed -   vegetarian couscous is on the menu). 20.00 Sharing of news, photos etc. 20.30-22.00 Time of prayer. If you are not free to join us that evening, but are willing to put aside some time to pray, please ask for the list of things to give thanks for, and also specific prayer requests.   Contact Catherine catherine.roberts@skynet.be or 02/731 27 37.

Ladies' Retreat Friday 6 February at 18.00 – Saturday 7 February at 17.00. Retreat leader: Anita Cleverly. Location: Communauté du Chemin Neuf 'Le Cénacle' rue Broodcorens 46, 1310 La Hulpe. Forms are available at the back today or contact Helen Walley on helen.walley@belgacom.net for a form by e-mail.  All bookings to Helen Walley.  02/354 59 85.

Book NOW for Greenbelt 2004   Greenbelt Christian Arts festival takes place at Cheltenham Race Course during August Bank Holiday weekend, 27-30 August 2004.  Check the web-site: www.greenbelt.org.uk for full details. If you book before 30 November you will save yourself a few pounds!

You may be interested to join the HTB Social Club; a group that meets on an irregular basis to go out in Brussels to see a film, chat at a pub, go to a party, bowl, cook etc. To join, please send an email to htbsocial-subscribe@yahoogroups.com or talk to Jon at jcmorgan2@yahoo.co.uk

INFORMATION

Many thanks to all the people who provide us with coffee each Sunday morning. They request that you do your bit by recycling the white coffee cup BUT that you GIVE BACK the brown holder so that it can be used again the following week.

The Prayer Chain welcomes requests for prayer for any situation in complete confidentiality. Please pass your request to Sue Cox 02/767 29 11 or to Ann Milton 02/772 47 04.

African Enterprise is our mission focus for this month.  The loose plate collections at the 9.00, 10.30 and 14.00 services today all go to the work of African Enterprise.

The Memorial and Thanksgiving Service for Petronella Collon will be at 13.00 on Saturday 29 November. More information from Diana White 02/734 53 50 or Diana.white@skynet.be

Last July a group of young Rwandans belonging to our church submitted a proposal to the King Baudouin Foundation, following a call for projects the Foundation had just launched. We are very pleased to inform you that their project has been selected among the happy few the KBF has decided to support. As a first step, their objective will be to prepare for a performance given to unaccompanied minors in a centre for asylum seekers. The group is now looking for musical instruments, as well as people who could teach them music, singing or dancing. If you would like to help, please contact Frieda Mukanyangezi on 0472 449 427.

Richard and Sally Steel are celebrating the birth of Daniel a couple of weeks ago. Like James Vaz Queiro, mentioned last week, he weighed 3.5kg and was 52cm long – but he's probably grown since then!

Centenary Renovation Project and other works The Church Council is working on all the following items, proposed, in progress or in prospect: The stained glass window, church lighting, stained glass window repairs, wood floor renovation, bar renovation, roof renovation, organ replacement, Church House renovation, loan repayment.

The building works are making good progress. Major structural work is to be complete by February. Minor work continues into March. There will be another opportunity to visit the site on 7 December.

Volunteers have already done much work but more is needed . . . Work will re-start on 10 January and continue every Saturday morning until we are finished. The following skills are required: painting, taping, preparing, cleaning, carpentry, plumbing, cabinetry, electrical wiring, lifting, more cleaning, decorating, bookkeeping, coffee making, planning, organising, and managing. We need a workforce of about 20 to 50 every week. Plan to be there! It's fun!

More detailed information about the various items mentioned above is available on papers at the back of church.

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