CHAPLAIN’S NOTES

There is much to look forward to in 2004. Between now and Easter the church will be largely involved with the renovations. Able-bodied members are urged, in so far as they can, to assist with the painting and other skills that will be needed to prepare for the opening in the Spring. It should be a very exciting period in the life of Holy Trinity and a real opportunity for us to work together in fellowship in this important work for the glory of God.

The term also includes the Retreat for Women in February, Borzée, the AGM and the musical ‘Out of the Black shadows’ (March) and…wait for it…Lent! How are we going to use Lent this year when it begins on 25 February (Ash Wednesday)? Why not start to think now how you could best make use of it? There is so much need in the world highlighted again for us in the Iran earthquake recently. There is a very meaningful verse in Proverbs on which we all might reflect as we comprehend world need –

‘He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord and he will reward him for what he has done’ Proverbs 19.17

Please remember too the importance of prayer and Bible study in the Christian life. Time should be set aside regularly to pray, read Scripture and reflect. Christians easily impoverish themselves today by too much activity. Martha and Mary must be balanced (see Luke 10.38-42). Join us for our Prayer Meeting on 19 January in Church House.

                                                Nigel Walker

 

 

COMING SOON . . .

The International Women’s Club of Brussels is holding a Brunch from 9.45 – 12.00 on Tuesday 13 January at La Chevalerie, Ave Brassine 38, 1640 Rhode St Genèse. For more information contact Kathy Hansen on 02/652 45 38 or hlk700@aol.com

The Marriage Course Party You are invited to come to this relaxed informal evening on Friday 16 January 2004 at 19.30 pm at St Anthony's Parish Hall, Oudstrijderslaan 23-25, 1950 Kraainem.  There will be a meal together and then a short introductory video to taste and see what the Marriage Course is all about.  There is absolutely no obligation to sign up for the course as a result of attending the party.  If you would like to go to this it is important that you RSVP to David and Janet Sayers, by 12 January, please, (tomorrow!) on 02/725 67 24 or sayers @skynet.be

The Marriage Course  Led, on video, by Nicky and Sila Lee, from Holy Trinity Brompton.  Course facilitated by David and Janet Sayers.  This is a very practical course, giving married couples the tools to build a strong and healthy marriage that lasts a lifetime. It is highly recommended by the chaplains (and their wives!).  It will be held at St Anthony's Parish Hall, Oudstrijderslaan 23-25, 1950 Kraainem on the following Fridays: 30 January, 6 and 13 February, 5, 12 and 26 March and 2 April.  (A commitment to all the dates is recommended.)   Cost per couple €125, which includes a lovely supper each week and all materials.  Pre-registration is essential.  You can do this through info@stpaulstervuren.org or call 02/767 34 35.  Payments made to St Paul's Events, 310-1075431-78.

You do not have to have come to The Marriage Course party in order to come on the course.

 

INFORMATION

Buy your CHS (Community Help Service) calendar now! Available today at the back of church, €10 each.

The amount raised by the 2003 Bun Sunday sales was nearly €2500. A big thank-you to all bakers and buyers - despite the difficulties due to the building works the total is not bad. I look forward to receiving suggestions about charities or causes to be supported by Bun Sunday with this money. Please respond in writing to Ann Freeman (pigeonhole) or via annbarleycorn@belgacom.net as soon as possible.

The Mission Focus for January is Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW). 

'The greatest sin of our time is not the few who have destroyed, but the many who have remained silent.' Martin Luther King

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 a voice for the voiceless raising awareness of the plight of the persecuted and oppressed in many arenas.

The loose plate collections at all four services on 18 January will go towards the work of CSW.  If you know you will not be in church on the 18th but would like to support CSW you may place your gift in an envelope, clearly marked for CSW, and place it in the offering either the week before or the week after (11 or 25 January).  Thank you.

The  following are the Mission Focus months for 2004 with the focus Sundays for the first four months. 

January (18)	Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)
February (15)	Karen/Karenni
March (21)	Mission East
April (25)	Wycliffe (David and Evelyn Baines)
May	Protestant Social Centre
June	Care
July	Sarah Pennington (Interserve)
August	Urban Development Project, Nairobi
September	Muyebe Girls’ School, Uganda
October	Arocha
November	African Enterprise
December	Alternatives

At its meeting in December, Council agreed a change to the financial support arrangements for all the missions with the exception of Sarah Pennington, who will receive the amount already promised to her.

For the other missions there will be the usual focus Sunday with the loose plate collections at all 4 services going to the mission.  There will be an additional 50% added to that amount from Holy Trinity and the total will be given to the mission. For example, €1200 is raised in the plate collections, 50% is €600, that is added and the mission receives €1800 in total. Another way to look at it:  for every euro we give, the mission receives €1.50.                                 Mission Committee

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 or to Ann Milton 02/772 47 04.

The Brussels American Chapel, NATO Support Activity, will have two GS5 positions available immediately. The Chaplain, David Druckenmiller, writes:

“I need an Administrative Assistant, Secretary, for the chapel.  This position is a full time job (GS5) assisting with administrative, receptionist, and chapel hospitality. 

I also need a new Youth Ministry Director.  The position will be a GS5 position, which is full time.  The Youth Minister will assist with chapel worship with the pastor, teach Sunday School for teens, conduct youth studies, and conduct youth retreats/programs.   The individual must be Christian and be able to support the General Protestant Programs at the NSA.  This means that the person must be ecumenical in approach.   

The positions mentioned above will be full time.  I would like to find faithful individuals that live in this community, who have ministry experience and believe God has called them to serve."

 

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