The Mission Focus  for April is Wycliffe Bible Translators.  The loose plate collections at all 4 services today will go towards the work of Wycliffe.  See the note under Information below.

CHAPLAIN’S NOTES

The Lord is risen!

He is risen indeed. Hallelujah!

The Bishop of London, Bishop Richard Chartres, will be coming to share with us in the opening of our renovated buildings on 12 June at 14.00. There will also be Ambassadors present representing some of the countries that make up our ‘rainbow’ congregation and dignitaries representing various Belgian government bodies. Meanwhile self-help continues and we urge your presence Saturday by Saturday from 08.00 to 13.00.

Special Rates at the Hilton. The Hilton have kindly agreed to a rate of €99 per night for a double room on both the nights 11^th & 12^th. This will add much encouragement to former members who would like to come for the grand opening. Please make contact with those with whom you are still in touch and encourage them to join us. This is an opportunity many of them will not want to miss.

Church disruption New lighting is now being installed in the church. Tomorrow the cleaning will begin prior to the new carpet being laid. This will mean severe disruption for two weeks. Please listen carefully to the notices today as able bodied members of the different services will be requested to help both today and on certain evenings during the next couple of weeks.

ICS Conference The Inter-continental Church Society Conference takes place this week. Please note that all three clergy will be on the conference. Jean-Pierre Herman can be contacted in an emergency (mobile 0475 684 665).

Congratulations to Isaac whose contract was renewed for three years at our recent Council meeting.

Christianity Explored Course My next Christianity Explored course at Holy Trinity will begin on Tuesday 4 May and will last until Tuesday 8 June (six weeks). I would welcome folk from all services who would like to examine again the basics of the Christian faith. Even if you cannot come every week you are most welcome to come as much as you can. 20.00 in Church House.

Africa’s Help As our Lent course clearly demonstrated, Europe will need Africa’s help if we are to be re-evangelised – and that is of crucial importance. It was noticeable that, at the Prayer March last Sunday, up to 40% of those present were probably not of European descent, thus confirming our own conviction. Although this week we are aware of the work of Wycliffe and the Baines’ preparation for Chad (loose plate collection today goes to them) the reality now is that the flow is moving the other way.

Prayer Diary is now available at the back of the church. Please make good use of both.

The Church office will be closed on Monday 3 May.

                                                                                             Nigel Walker

 

Today after each service we need your help! Strong people needed.

10.30 Service – please help moving the red-chairs out of the way.

14.00 Service – please help moving the pews in the centre aisle over to the left, parallel to the wall

19.00 Service – please help moving the pews from the right aisle to the centre.

Also help needed to move pews during the week – thanks to one generous benefactor the parquet floor in the church is being restored between Sunday 25 April and the weekend of the 8/9 May. A programme has been worked out with the contractor and we need at least 12 strong people to come to move the pews on Thursday 29 April (evening – say from 19.30) and Wednesday 5 May (evening say from 19.30). If you can come on either date or both dates, please can you e-mail or call the church office with your contact details so that we can put together the teams (admin@htbrussels.com or 02/511 71 83).

 

COMING SOON . . .

The weekend away of our Youth Alpha will be coming up in Leuven from Friday 30 April - Sunday 2 May. There we shall take a look at the personality, the work and how we can be filled with the Holy Spirit. All the Alpha participants (and other interested youths) should assemble at the Central Station by 18.00 on Friday for departure to the venue. For details please contact obinosky@yahoo.com or call 0496 976 911

On Saturday 1 May at 20.00 there will be a free concert at HTB given by the Bourne Concert Band from the UK. Their programme will include music by Strauss, Tchaikovsky, Sparke and Sondheim. The concert will finish about 21.15.

Together for Europe   On 8 May in Stuttgart, there will be a meeting taking place with Christians from different churches all over Europe.  The aim is to celebrate the historical widening of the European Union and to share experiences of how we can contribute to building a more united Europe, with a more Christian heart and soul. Leaders from many different churches and political groups will be present, including Romano Prodi - President of the European Commission.  There will be live satellite broadcasts taking place in major cities, including Brussels (Centre Espaces - Av. de la Renaissance 40, 1000 Brussels - Station: Mérode) from 9.30 to 17.30.  This should be a very exciting meeting.  For more information please contact Stella Handley on 0476 34 88 97.

There will be a Missions Prayer meeting in Church House on Thursday 13 May, 20.00 - 21.30.  All welcome.

 

INFORMATION

This month the mission focus is Wycliffe. David and Evelyn Baines, whom many of you met at Borzée this year, are in the final stages of their preparation for work with SIL* in Chad. David took his first trip there in January, and they are both looking forward to the 3-month Africa Orientation Course in September. They are hoping to be in Chad by December. There Evelyn will be working as a literacy specialist while David's role will be to work in the computer department. Please pray for them as the next few months will be very busy, packing, visiting churches, travelling before settling into life in Africa. They will be with us at the main services at Holy Trinity today and we look forward to that opportunity to hear more from them. David and Evelyn have sent this note:

‘Please pray for: the timing and logistics of our move back to Edinburgh by June; for travelling mercies as we visit churches in Belgium and the UK in April/May/June; for God's provision and enabling as we complete final packing, purchase flight tickets and visas for Cameroon and Chad, and leave for orientation in Cameroon in early September and finally arrive in Chad end of November 2004.’

                                                *Wycliffe’s sister organisation.

Children’s and Youth Work at Holy Trinity In order to cope with the ever-expanding number of children and young people coming on a Sunday morning to Holy Trinity and the loss of some key leaders and helpers in the next few months we urgently need some new leaders and helpers.  The minimum commitment is one Sunday morning per month plus time spent for preparation and prayer. If extra leaders and helpers cannot be found then it is very possible that we will have to cancel some classes some weeks so please - HELP US OUT!! If you are at all interested and want to talk about it further then please e-mail Heather Roy on hjroy@yahoo.co.uk THANK YOU!

In September 2004 there will be a vacancy for two Protestant religion teachers in the English primary sections at the European schools of Brussels. Applications should be made before the end of April. (see below) Qualifications: The candidates should speak fluent English, preferably as their mother tongue, hold a passport of one of the EU member-states (or have a Belgian residence permit and work-permit) and have a recognised teaching qualification, although not necessarily a degree in religious studies. Experience in Sunday School teaching may be an advantage. A familiarity with French is preferable, since much of the administrative work of the schools is carried out in French. Selection: Potential teachers will be interviewed and selected in early May by the English representatives on the "Conseil de l'Enseignement Protestant" and their names will be forwarded to the headteachers of the respective schools. Enquiries to Mrs. Catherine Pennington, e-mail: catherine.roberts@skynet.be

The CHS is looking for a volunteer administrator. Please see notice under porch or ring 02 647 67 80 for more information.

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.

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