CHAPLAIN'S NOTES

The Mission The Mission ended last Sunday night at the Christian Center on a rousing note with Stephen Lungu gripping us with his style and his challenge to us to face the people of Brussels with the good news of the Gospel. The approach which all the evangelists brought was deeply refreshing, whether it was Antoine relating to us lessons from the genocide in Rwanda at the European Parliament or Michael challenging us at the business breakfast to 'choose the changeless in times of change' or Gottfried in his quiet, gentle manner preaching at HTB or Stephen blowing our minds about the days when he was a terrorist and how Christ transformed his life.

The Mission has made me more convinced than ever that we in Europe need the fresh dynamic approach of African Christianity to 'restore the years that the locusts have eaten' (Joel 2.25) here in Western Europe. Equally, we can help Africa by taking a much greater interest in its welfare particularly as it faces the terrible challenge of HIV/AIDS now affecting 30% of the population in some countries. We can pray. We can give.

African Enterprise is in a position truly to mission Africa. It feeds the hungry, ministers to the Aids victims and assists the poor. It brings the good news of Christ. On 30 November Michael Cassidy will be in Khartoum, Sudan for two weeks. Next year in the summer he will be in Kigale, Rwanda and in October 2004 in Kinshasa. I would like Holy Trinity to take a strong interest in African Enterprise's work especially as it will be working in Rwanda and the Congo. Belgium has a special relationship with both countries so we have a wonderful opportunity next year really to express our love and concern to those countries by praying, taking an interest and giving of our substance. Michael has particularly requested that some folk from here might like to go to Kinshasa for the mission in October. Some of you might like to pray and reflect on the matter now.

We extend our special thanks to Hugh Cox (Chairman) and Lynn Badcock and all on the Christian Impact Committee for their hard work in creating between 60-70 events in different parts of the city and beyond. It was an excellent effort.

 

Memorial Service The Memorial Service for Petronella Collon will take place on Saturday at 13.00 in Holy Trinity.

 

Vision Committee There will be a Vision Committee meeting tomorrow (Monday). 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.

 

Nigel Walker

 

 

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

OPPORTUNITIES

Gifts at Advent  As in the past we are preparing gifts for Les Cailloux Children's Home and for Foyer Lilla Monod (a home for teenage girls).  This continues to be greatly appreciated.  If you would like to purchase a gift for a boy or girl at Les Cailloux, please take a slip showing name and age from the basket at the back of church, buy a suitable gift, and bring it back next Sunday, wrapped without using cellotape.  For  the girls at Foyer Lilla Monod please give cash, so that we can purchase similar gifts for all.  We will wrap.  All gifts will be delivered in time for St Nicholas, or shortly after.  We suggest an amount of 8 - 10 euros per gift.  Many thanks.

St Paul's Tervuren is holding a Service for the Bereaved at 15.00 on Sunday 7 December. Join us to remember, mourn and give thanks for the life of the loved ones, and reflect on the mystery of life and death. See flyers at the back of the church.

Ladies' Retreat Friday 6 February at 18.00 – Saturday 7 February at 17.00. Retreat leader: Anita Cleverly. Location: Communauté du Chemin Neuf 'Le CénacleÓ 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.

 

NEW WINE CONFERENCE  31 July - 6 August 2004  Royal Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, UK. Echoes in Eternity - will how we are living now have a difference for all eternity?  Will the things we say and do create an echo and be heard in this generation and the ones to come? Peter and Helen Walley will be going again this year with the family and would love others to join them for the week.  You can choose to camp with us or to stay in a local Bed&Breakfast.  It appeals to any age group from 0-80 as there is something for everyone.   If you book with Peter before the end of November you get excellent rates and we would recommend that you make a decision before end of January as last year it filled up quickly.  For more information contact Peter and Helen Walley 02 354 5985 or peter.walley@belgacom.net. 

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!

INFORMATION

A member of the congregation, Sally Steen, will be travelling to the Thai Burma Border to visit projects there supported over the last few years by the
generosity of people at Holy Trinity. The faith of the Karen and Karenni people continues to burn as a light in the darkness. The ongoing war in that part of Burma between small ethnic armies and the notorious Burmese military continues to produce many casualties and refugees in Thailand. Our projects include help for elderly Karen veterans from the second world war who fought with the Allies and a
Bible College in a Karenni refugee camp. Those trained by the Bible College then bravely go into the areas inside Burma where some 270,000 civilians are in hiding from the Burma Army in the jungles, without medicine or educational facilities or spiritual leadership. Yet people place their hope in God. "If the Lord had not been on our side - let Israel say - If the Lord had not been on our side when men attacked us, when their anger flared against us, they would have swallowed us alive; the flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us, the raging waters would have swept us away. Praise be to the Lord, who has not let us be torn by their teeth. We have escaped like a bird out of the fowler's snare; the snare has been broken, and we have escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 124) Please pray for these people. A collection will be taken in February when Projects to Support Refugees from Burma will be the Mission Focus for that month. If you would like to make a contribution sooner to be spent on this trip please find a letter and virement at the back of the Church and also letters of thanks to you on the Mission Board in the entrance.

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.

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.

Replacement teacher needed for about 10 days in December/January at the European School in Uccle. It is mainly to teach R.E. (Protestant) to small groups of primary children, plus some classes of maths to a full class. Mondays/Thursdays/ Fridays. Please contact James on 02/453 95 63 or at eliane_pitts@yahoo.com

Centenary Renovation Project and other works Currently we believe about €17,000 of pledges remain outstanding. If you haven't already done so, please make your payments as soon as you can.  The HTB Centenary Gift Account is 310-4551076-19, The Fondation Roi Baudouin Account is 000-0000004-04 (Communication L79619) Many thanks for your generosity. 

Christmas presents Why not buy a lovely silver or golden cross for Christmas? They make perfect gifts for wives, daughters, nieces, granddaughters and friends. The profits from the sale of the crosses go to the renovation project. There are still 50 available at the old price: silver €50; gold (takes 6-8 weeks) €175. After Christmas prices go up. . . Sundays in church 10.30: Pam Mackenzie or Paulina van Rijn: e-mail pamela.mackenzie@mail.dss.mil or paulina@village.uunet.be

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