The Mission Focus for February is the Karenni People of Burma.  See the note about the Friday lunchtime homegroup below.

CHAPLAIN'S NOTES

CRP Self Help Self help continues next Saturday with Peter Mackenzie estimating that this work may well continue to Easter and slightly beyond. We continue to look to the congregation for your generous support in offering your time each Saturday morning (8.00 – 13.00) coming when you can and going when you must. Nehemiah would not be deflected from the great task that lay before him (the rebuilding of the Jerusalem wall) until it was thoroughly finished. I love Nehemiah's words to those who tried to deflect him –

'I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down' (Nehemiah 6.3)

So are we. A project that we believe will have a thoroughly positive effect for the Gospel of Christ in Brussels in the coming years. Help us then and join Peter in completing this work.

CRP Opening I informed the Council last Monday that a date for the opening is still not finalised but we expect it to be in May/June. The date should be known by no later than the AGM (22 March). By the way, please note the date of the AGM and plan to be there.

Paris Mary and I are in Paris this weekend. I will be preaching at St Michael's Church, with whom we have strong links having known all the Chaplains there for the past 25 years. The present chaplain – Anthony Wells – is also Archdeacon of France. It will be a real pleasure for us to fellowship with them and with the people of St Michael's church.                                                              Nigel Walker

Today is Bun Sunday Our baked goodies (cakes, biscuits, sausage rolls, quiches, etc), marmalades and TEAR Craft tea and coffee will be on sale in the side aisle after the 10.30 service. Also cards for birthdays and other occasions. Please come and buy so we can support smaller charities not funded by the Church's Mission Giving.

 

 

COMING SOON . . .

Heartwarmer! The International Christian Women's Club of Brussels invites you to Come in from the cold at their brunch on Tuesday 10 February, 9.45 – 12.00, at La Chevalerie, ave Brassine 38, 1640 Rhode St Genèse. Carmen Smith will share her strudel-baking expertise and the speaker will be Vicki McIntyre. Cost €10. Babysitting available. Reservations and info: Kathy Hansen on 02/652 45 38 or hlk700@aol.com Flyers at the back of church.

The Friday lunchtime homegroup will welcome Sally Steen to their meeting on Friday 13 February, to talk about her recent trip to visit the Karenni refugee camps on the Thai border. If anyone who is not a regular member of the group is interested in joining us for that meeting, they will be very welcome.
Please note the change of venue for 13 and 20 February - we will be meeting at Ann Milton's, Avenue Debecker 23, 1200 Woluwe St Lambert, at 12.30 with a sandwich lunch (bring your own, drinks provided).

Borzée – Church weekend away (12 – 14 March) Forms are now at the back of the church and on the church website if you would like to book on line. This year the weekend will be a great mix with guest speakers Max and Sue Sinclair as well as 'home spun' events and workshops. It will be fun for all the family! See the leaflet.

NW Europe Archdeaconry Retreats 2004 Two alternative Lenten retreats will be held in 2004 in Oirschot, Netherlands. (Oirschot lies to the north‑west of Eindhoven). 12 ‑ 14 March: Retreat Conductor: The Revd Graeme Butter, Vicar of Horsley Hill, South Shields, England. Info and applications: Mrs. Maryon Jägers, 0031 30 637 1780 or theojagers@planet.nl 26 ‑ 28 March: Retreat Conductor: The Very Revd Kenneth Robinson, Former Dean of Gibraltar. Info and applications: Mrs Ann Turner, 03/440 25 81 or ann@turner.be Accommodation is in comfortable single rooms with hot and cold water. The fee is €80 for full retreat. This includes hire of bed linen and towels.

INFORMATION

Peter Kisitu of our congregation is looking for any type of paid work to help fund his studies. If you have any bright ideas or something to offer, please contact Peter on kbill55@yahoo.co.uk. Thank you.

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.

Ann Freeman

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.

Lent Book Nigel writes: May I suggest John Stott's 'Why I am a Christian'. It is, as his books always are, an excellent book where he states clearly and with deep conviction his reasons for being a Christian. It will help us sort out our own reasons for following Christ. Orders can be taken this weekend.

Bible reading notes Websites bring both Closer to God and Daily Bread daily Bible notes to the web – harnessing technology to deliver God's Word in a new way. Visit www.closertogod.org.uk and www.dailybread.org.uk to try Bible study on line. Daily Bread is also available to download to Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs).

Roger Camp (US Navy) a former member of the congregation (1994-1997 approx) wishes to pass on his warm greetings to Holy Trinity. He and his wife Mindy have a little four month daughter Rebecca and are now based in the US Army General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

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