The flowers today are offered in memory of a loved one.

 

The mission focus for June is CARE.  The loose plate collections at all 4 services on Sunday 20 June will go towards the work of CARE. If you would like to support the work of CARE but know you will not be in church on the 20th, please place your gift in an envelope (clearly marked for CARE) on either 13 or 27 June. 

 

CHAPLAIN’S NOTES

Grand Opening It is nearly seven years since the late Anne Adams wrote to me to express concern about access for the disabled here at Holy Trinity. Two years later I approached Richard Craddock, by now a member of our congregation, and asked him to design a new entry through the halls with a lift, a new toilet area and to think about the Sunday School area. His excellent homework resulted in Council accepting the idea in principle and suggesting that he might like to think even more widely. Peter Mackenzie then picked up the whole project and ran with it. He filled it out to incorporate the whole ancillary area. During this period we were given a lovely new window and, by next Sunday, we will see the church with its new carpeting and which will, we believe, be a joy to behold. Please try to be present next Saturday for the opening at 14.00. It will be a short service followed by the formal opening by the Bishop of London and in the presence of Ambassadors from Belize, Canada, Ghana, Uganda and the U.K. who symbolically represent the diversity of our congregation.

Next Sunday we shall hold a service of celebration at 10.30. We will be joined by members from the other congregations as an act of celebration and worship.

Christianity Explored Course The Christianity Explored course is now underway and will close on Tuesday. This sixth and final week we examine what a Christian is and reflect on the meaning of belief. We round off with refreshments together. Church House 20.00 finish 21.30

Billy Graham What an amazing and wonderful experience to gather at the Albert Hall in London and be reminded by testimony and by video of all the Billy Graham crusades that took place in Britain between 1954 and the early 1990s. Many different folk were interviewed and many of the hymns so associated with Billy Graham campaigns were sung (Just as I am; To God be the glory; Blessed assurance; How great thou art). John Stott was asked what it was that made Billy Graham’s preaching so significant. Sincerity and authority were the key points that John Stott made. However, he went on to add a third point which had not struck me before. He drew attention to the fact that probably most people who heard Billy Graham for the first time had never heard a good sermon before! Both my parents, in their late 40s, went forward in 1954. It might well have been true of them.

                                                                                             Nigel Walker

 

COMING SOON . . .

HTB’s Annual Golf Day is on Friday 11 June at Bercuit and will involve a match against St Paul’s, Tervuren, as well as a Stableford Competition followed by dinner - our speaker this year is Ian Watson, Chief Executive of ICS (Intercontinental Church Society). If you are interested in either the golf or the dinner or both please contact Ken Thomas on 02/673 83 59 (home) or 02/657 05 57 (office).

Come and celebrate on 18 June at 20.00 at Holy Trinity! The first public event in our newly renovated buildings will be a concert to raise funds for the ‘Wish List’ of the Centenary Renovation Project, so come yourselves and invite your friends! Vivaldi’s joyful ‘Gloria’ and Mozart’s ‘Solemn Vespers’ (including the celebrated ‘Laudate Dominum’) make a tuneful programme for a happy occasion. Well-known local soloists, including our own Richard Craddock and Marie-Rose Herman, will be backed up by the International Chorale of Brussels and the ‘Friends-in-Music Instrumental Ensemble’, directed by Pam Clements. Tickets are available in advance (Tel. 02 768 13 27) at €9 (€4 for Seniors and students), €10 (€5) on the night. Children 12 and under, gratis. For further information, go to www.internationalchorale.com

If you would like to participate as a performer, it is not too late for experienced singers or string players. Choir practice Monday evening 20.00 (British School). Instrumentalists, please leave a message on Pam’s answerphone (02/731 72 17) with your contact number.

20 June: Barnabas Fund petition Christian converts from Islam are frequently persecuted and killed on the basis of Islamic shariah law which prescribes the death penalty for adult male apostates. Such legislation is contrary to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and to the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union which asserts an individual's "freedom to change religion".

    A petition is being collected by the aid agency Barnabas Fund to lobby the UK government and the European Parliament on this matter. You will have an opportunity to sign it on Sunday 20 June. We encourage you to do so.

Lots of fun for children aged 5 - 11 at this year's Vacation Bible School, August 16th-20th, with the theme - 'Lava, Lava Island - Where Jesus' love flows.' VBS takes place at the International Baptist Church, Wezembeek-Oppem. Enthusiastic (grass-skirted!) helpers will also be required! More information later, but book the date now! Please see fliers at the back of church.

INFORMATION

Many thanks to all those who have come and helped paint on Saturdays over the past two years. The results show your care and efforts. Peter Mackenzie

We would be very grateful to hear of any firms or companies changing their furniture and seeking to sell at second-hand prices - or better still giving away their previous, good quality, ‘as new’ office furnishings. We would be very glad to be informed. We still have to find items such as spare chairs and tables for the new Centre. Any pointers would be most welcome. If you know of any possible contacts, please contact a member of clergy or Vicki at Church Office. Thank you!

Flowers every Sunday can be offered in memory of loved ones. Total contributions or part payment of the weekend's flowers costs are welcome. Please contact Sue Cox on 02/767 29 11.

Are you about to leave school, leave university or take time out from university or career? Do you need thinking space to consider God's purposes and your calling? If so the West Yorkshire School of Christian Studies (near Leeds) could be the place for you. They run programmes of one month, four months or nine months. You would be able to talk to leading Christians who are active in the worlds of science, philosophy and the arts, and take up placements, sometimes paid, in Britain or overseas. Website: www.wysocs.org.uk.  E-mail: admin@wysocs.org.uk. Tel: 00 44 113 258 93 00. Information cards and prospectuses available from Mary Walker

I went to Taizé last summer and loved it: Biblical teaching, small groups, worship music, special encounters, quiet places for those who need it.  Would anyone like to join me this year?  Loving camping and speaking French helps.  11-18 July and 1-8 August. Bus organised from Brussels.  Call Machteld 02/267 80 41.

The Prayer Chain welcomes requests for prayer for any situation with 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 Tuesday, to the Church Office at admin@htbrussels.com