The mission focus for June is CARE.  The loose plate collections at all 4 services today will go towards the work of CARE. See under Information below for more about the work of CARE.

 

CHAPLAIN’S NOTES

Thanks We owe so many people such a debt of gratitude for all that took place last weekend. Our thanks to my colleagues Peter and Isaac, to all the musicians under David Iliff and David Mitchell and their respective choirs. Our gratitude to Sue Cox and all those who helped her to arrange the flowers so beautifully. To the Church Wardens and ushers and especially Ken Thomas our chief usher and all who played any part in enabling the whole weekend to run so smoothly our sincere thanks. Thanks too to all who brought food, to Carol Jones for coordinating all catering matters, Johan slaving in the bar, all who organised the ‘drinks circulation’ and Vicki’s overall organisation running up and down stairs. Our thanks to those who cleaned and those who took the leftovers to the Salvation Army. Finally our thanks to all who came from all parts of the UK, the continent and from North America too.

The Bishop of Gibraltar Bishop Geoffrey sent us his very good wishes but they were received too late to pass on to the congregation last weekend.

Prayer Meeting The Church Council meets to pray tomorrow night (21 June) in the Charles Le Jeune Centre. You are welcome to join us. Starts at 20.00, finishes at 21.30.

Golf Sadly we lost the golf against St Paul’s in this special annual event. Hugh Cox, Tervuren’s Chaplain, played the winning shot. Perhaps I should have played after all!

                                                                                            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 hall 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 . . .

Today: 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 today. We encourage you to do so.

Talk by Dr Veerle Goossens on 'What happens if I go to the doctor about stress/depression?' Thursday 24 June at 10.00 at St Paul's Church Centre, Hoornzeelstraat 24, 3080 Tervuren, tel. 02 767 3435

Lots of fun for children aged 5 - 11 at this year's Vacation Bible School, August 16-20, 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

CRP Matters – Keys - It will be at least another 3 weeks for the permanent locks are fitted to doors within the Charles Le Jeune Centre and the new entrance. If you have need of a key to access the church or the hall, please contact the church office who will advise how to obtain it.

CRP – ‘Snagging list’ – Richard and I are aware of a number of areas where the contractor needs to finish off, however we need your help. Please inform myself, or the Church office if an electrical socket does not work or another thing is not yet properly operational. Although we did our best to ensure everything was in place for June 12, we know there are a few snags to sort out.                     Peter Walley

Charles Le Jeune Centre 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 most happy 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 get in touch with a member of clergy or Vicki at Church Office. Thank you!

Urgent The Translation Team needs a few more volunteers to help with the weekly translation into French of Holy Trinity’s Newsletter. This requires a regular but only occasional commitment. If you are interested and a good French speaker, please contact Vicki at Church Office. 

Rita Demoustiez and her family thank the congregation for their support and prayers. Rita came out of the operation successfully on Wednesday and was back in her room, joking as usual, by 4pm.

Our Mission Focus for June is on CARE - Christian Action Research and Education.  CARE was founded by Christians in the UK in the 1970s to express Christian concern at legislators beginning to move away from the country's historic dependence on Christian values as the basis for public policy. CARE continues to be a Christian voice on public policy issues in the UK, but is also now represented here in Brussels for liaison with the EU institutions and follows the work of the UN.  It also supports a range of caring services for those suffering as a result of the decline of Christian ethics in modern society including a network of 160 crisis pregnancy counselling centres in the UK mirrored in the Alternatives centre here in Brussels.

David Fieldsend, who manages CARE's work in Brussels, will be preaching at our evening service today and our plate offerings at all services will be going towards the work of CARE.

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