The Mission Focus this month is A Rocha – a nature conservation organisation working to care for the environment, based on Christian values. All plate collections today will go to their work. Peter and Miranda Harris the International Directors of A Rocha will be speaking at HTB in the 10.30 and 19.00 today. See more information inside.

CHAPLAIN’S NOTES

Peter and Miranda Harris A very warm welcome today to Peter and Miranda – former colleagues of ours on the Wirral and previously friends during our days in Abingdon (near Oxford). A Rocha (Christians in Conservation) was founded in 1983 by Peter in Portugal and has sustained remarkable growth, having spread to fifteen countries (see their website www.arocha.org). John Stott writes:

“It has been wonderful to watch A Rocha grow from its first faltering footsteps in Portugal to the thriving movement that it is today. Steadily over the years the theological foundations of A Rocha's vision have clarified, and in addition, its ethos is now well defined in its emphasis on being a Christian, community-based, cross-cultural conservation organisation. That God's hand is upon A Rocha for good is evident from the way in which new, national movements have kept arising, developing their own local shape, while at the same time embracing the distinctive features of A Rocha.”

Holy Trinity takes a holistic view of mission. We believe that God is interested in every aspect of our lives. It is therefore right that we should concentrate one month per year on the importance of Christian conservation.

All Saints’ Jubilee Weekend (1979-2004) Please see the noticeboard for details of the All Saints’ Jubilee Weekend. Members of Holy Trinity are warmly invited.

Nigel Walker

 

EVENTS

Some of you may remember Worth Campbell, the American Chaplain at HTB during the 80s. He lived with his wife Dorothy and various pets in Church House. He became chaplain of All Saints' Church after its foundation. He was an inspiration to and loved by many. He passed away peacefully at the beginning of September after a long battle with cancer. A memorial service will be held for him at All Saints' Church, Waterloo, on Saturday 13 November at 11.00. Please remember his family in your prayers, and especially Dorothy who is suffering from Alzheimer's and is very frail.

The International Christian Women’s Club of Brussels invites you to a country fair with live and silent auctions. Speaker is Maggie Vaughan. Tickets €10. When? 9.45 – 12.00 on Tuesday 16 November. Where? La Chevalerie, ave Brassine 28, 1640 Rhode-St Genèse More info and reservations: Kathy Hansen t: 02/652 45 38 e: hlk700@aol.com

 

INFORMATION

As you know Nigel's last weekend will be 27 – 28 November. We are arranging a pot-luck supper with entertainment, for the Saturday evening in the Walker Hall. Please put the date in your diaries. More later. Also to allow you to show your appreciation to Nigel and Mary we have opened a bank account in their name: ING 375-4297466-57 entitled “Nigel's farewell”.

A Rocha, this month’s Mission Focus, is an international Christian conservation organisation working to show God’s love for all creation and respond to the biblical call to care for God’s earth (www.arocha.org). A Rocha continues to grow rapidly,
and now has national organisations registered in fifteen countries, with
new additions in 2004 being Peru and South Africa! A Rocha organisations
undertake community-based conservation projects, which often involve environmental education, practical conservation, and scientific research and monitoring of important species and habitats. We have particularly appreciated the
interest of Holy Trinity Brussels in A Rocha France which focuses its work
in the Vallée des Baux in Provence, an area designated by the EU for its
importance for wildlife. Final renovations are now taking place on the
French field study centre which will be fully operational from early next year
and visitors from HTB will be most welcome to visit once it re-opens! An
A Rocha project is also emerging in the Netherlands and we hope that there
will be an opportunity for members of HTB to take part in a joint Dutch/Belgian
A Rocha event in early 2005 - watch this space! For further information
on this or any other part of A Rocha’s work please contact Janice, working
for A Rocha in Brussels, at: janice.weatherley@arocha.org.

Volunteers are still required for cleaning on Saturdays (or even during the week). If you would like to volunteer please contact Dora 02/218 51 21 or 0473 52 7977. Please inform Dora by Friday evening if you plan to come on the Saturday. Work begins at 08.30 – but come when you can.

Helping hand needed with house move  Two additional volunteers are sought to help a needy lone parent, who sometimes comes to Holy Trinity, in moving house locally, about 35 km south of Brussels, on Saturday 6 November (please note changed date). If you can help and are ready to offer a definite commitment, or would like more information, please contact Church Office (02/511 71 83).

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 David.Iliff@Pandora.be or to the Church Office at admin@htbrussels.com