CHAPLAIN’S NOTES

Baptism Benjamin Granville will be baptised this morning at 10.30 and we welcome him, his parents, Richard & Jeanette and all the rest of their family and friends.

Carols by Candlelight The warmest of welcomes to our guests who join us this evening for our annual Carols by Candlelight Service. Our very special thanks to David Iliff, the singers and instrumentalists, and the combined home groups who decorated our church for this very special service. Please remember to bring a torch with you tonight. Candles are considered too much of a fire risk particularly during the renovation period.

Next Sunday at 10.30 we shall hold a Nativity Play which is to be staged by our children and young people. This will be in place of the sermon but will be in the context of a Communion Service.

Christmas Eve & Christmas Day As is our custom the Christmas Eve Service will be at 23.30 and will be adult friendly, while the service on Christmas Day at 10.30 will be child friendly.

The Church Office The Church Office will close on Friday 19 December and reopen on Monday 5 January. This is our opportunity to warmly thank Vicki. who has completed her first year with us and to whom we owe special gratitude for her hard work among us.

Nigel Walker

Today is Bun Sunday Look out for Christmas goodies near the coffee table.

 

 

OPPORTUNITIES

Christmas Day celebrations If you do not have anywhere to spend Christmas day this year and you would otherwise be alone, please do let us know so that we can link you up with a family.  Similarly if you would like to welcome someone from the congregation who would otherwise be on their own then please could you let us know.  Thank you. Contact Helen Walley on 02/354 59 85 or helen.walley@belgacom.net

Christmas Love Feast The 2pm congregation is organising their annual Christmas Love Feast on Thursday 25 December 2003. Far from home and family, alone at this Christmas day! Come and join us for a love feast at 34-36, rue du Chimiste, 1070 Brussels. For further info contact Isaac on 0476 970 442 / 02 420 06 04. Any kind of help is also welcome.

Calling parents with small children! You may like to know that a crèche operates every Sunday for the 10.30 service. It’s upstairs (1st floor) in Church House. Ask an usher if you want more information.

INFORMATION

Carols by Candlelight at 19.30 today The Car Park will be open. Because of the space restrictions caused by the building work mulled wine and mince pies cannot again be part of the event for this year.

The 2004 CHS (Community Help Service) calendar is now on sale at the back of the church - €10 per copy.

Centenary Renovation Project Following the November council meeting, Peter Walley undertook a thorough review of all aspects of funding and spending requirements of the Centenary Renovation Project. You can see a copy of it posted on the board under the archway, (If you would like a copy yourself please contact Peter W.) This exercise was timely given that major unknowns in the structural elements of the project have been confronted and both demolition and re-construction work to-date have been carried out successfully.

Our current situation is that we can count on €610,900 ‘in the bank’. Further pledges still remain to be redeemed and gifts are coming in now which were not counted in the known pledges. As of 26 November we have committed to spending €605,412.91

Inevitably, there are a number of other items which will be needed to complete the rooms to make them available for use including ‘self-help’ costs. These items amount to approximately €33,000. In addition it has become clear that re-wiring the church is a necessity both to enable the installation of new lighting (funded by a private donation) and future needs. This would be better done sooner rather than later. Accordingly Council agreed to fund an additional €38,000 to enable these works to be carried out, subject to future fund-raising replenishing the Church reserves. Council felt able to agree this because alongside the fund raising we have carried out to support the CRP, Gareth Llewelyn (Treasurer) reported that it appears that our normal activities (outside the CRP) in 2003 have also been funded completely, for which we thank and praise God.

 

So how are we to complete the job?

When any new baby is born (and we have had a few recently!) it is customary to give gifts to the happy couple. In the US they call it having a ‘baby shower’. The CRP is in many ways similar to that process of giving birth, pain at times but great joy in its completion. Therefore to celebrate what has been achieved so far, Council supported the idea of producing a list of items we think are needed to furnish and equip the hall, kitchen, class rooms and conference room. Watch this space in January! We look forward very much to what God will do for us in 2004.

If you have any questions or queries we would be happy to answer them.

Peter Walley

CYFA leaders needed

We're a group aged 14 – 18

Who come to church because we're keen.

Our number is 10, but the workers are few

We wonder if a worker could be you?

The CYFA group at Holy Trinity meets every Sunday during term time, 10.40 - 12.00 in Church House. We urgently need 2-3 volunteers (men and women) to help with the group. If you can remember what it's like to be a teenager, are interested in engaging and presenting challenging Christianity and you can commit to assisting 1 or 2 Sundays per month - then you could be just what we're looking for. No prior experience necessary - enthusiasm and a sense of humour essential (a loud voice helps). Don't hesitate - email Ruth on RuthDyer@gmx.net

December car park arrangements The car park will be available for the Carol Service using the usual arrangements. For the morning services of 21 December and 29 December the shops will be open. The car park will be accessible but no special arrangements for Holy Trinity congregation will apply, we will be treated as the general public.

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 cottoncox@hotmail.com to Ann Milton 02/772 47 04.

 

 

 

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

The Catholic Apostolic Service will take place at 12.00 on Sunday 28 December. No refreshments will be served after the 10.30 Service.

 

 

 

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 Please note that the last Newsletter of the year will appear on 21 December. Material for that should be received by 9.00 on Tuesday 16 December.