As summer arrived in South Willesborough over twenty five people attended the senior leaders Open House and Garden Party. This is as part of our summer programme, when our main mission events are taking a break, but members and friends are encouraged to build relationships an
d hold events where family and community might have opportunity of coming together. 
The Annual Beach Party, this year was held when we usually hold Community Church, and thus all three areas came together with their district pastors and church leaders to celebrate the start of summer. About 40 people headed to Folkestone Lees where people enjoyed the beach, ate food, enjoyed the cafe as well as others playing in the wooden play part. It was a great event again, simply because it was about family coming together, and that is what we believe church is really all about. The pictures here capture some of the things people engaged in!!! 
FOR THE NEXT FOUR SUNDAYS we are going to the beach! Well not literatally, but as many head for the beach during their summer holidays, we are going to spend sometime soaking up this amazing creation and God and seeing what we can apply to our lives from it. Today, Sunday 29th July the beach party started! We looked at what it is we have to celebrate, and looked at accounts from the Bible that happened by the beach - and thus we celebrated the following:- Baptism (ie new start, cleansing, salvation); Calling (ie the calling of the new disciples) Presence (ie Jesus breathing peace at the storm) Guidance (John 21). The next few weeks will build towards the eternal beach party we will enjoy and celebrate - if we know Him and accepted Him as our Lord and Saviour. 
This Sunday was a little different to normal. Over forty members and friends from this church travelled to Redhill - Hawthorns School - for a family day. We celebrated together being the family of God and celebration all generations in meetings led by Majors Drew McCombe, Anthony and Gillian Cotterill. In addition to this was childrens activities, treasure hunts, games, BBQ and much much more. What was great was to have quaility time away together and to relax, and that was very special. We were also so thrilled that people of all ages shared the day, including some new people we have welcomed in recent months. 
Some members of the church travelled to Westminster Central Halls for the Commissioning of the Herolds of Good News session. The event was led by our territorial leaders, Commissioners Betty and John Matear. It was a great celebration and Gods Spirit did some great stuff. 
The Ignite Youth Project ended the term with a beach party, arrange by Carl Whitewood. About 30 attended and had a great time. Thanks to everyone for such a special time to end this term.
The full leadership team met last evening with Major Beverley McCombe, divisional director for personnel. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss future 'senior leadership' of this church, as the five year appointment of our current leaders comes to a conclusion. This was a very helpful time, but also very encouraging as we recognised where we had come from and what God had done among us. The next stage of this process is to write a profile which identifies what this church is all about, and then this is presented to the divisional appointments board in September, and then finally to the territorial farewell conference in November. 
The Kingdom Kids enjoyed their final meeting of the term. It was a fun time led by our childrens ministry officer Clare. We played games - the yellow team won a thophy - we sang songs, and had a disco. We also enjoyed some amazing food. 
Our Home and Family Programme welcomed new members today at the end of term Summer Dinner, in a special enrolement led by our senior leader Captain Ian Woodgate. Pam Quinn, Peggy Marsh, Eddie Clover, Jan Chittenden, Keith Clover, Eddie Maddison were welcomed as members, supported by home and family team members Viv, Frances, Carol and Lyn. 
Tuesdays and Thursday are busy days for our family support officer and her team at Bright Sparks, buzzing groups for our babies, toddlers and their parents/carers. This Tuesday saw the end of term party, which also included lots of games, lots of food, scrap booking for parents (led by our adult ministries officer Sara) and also the graduation of Bright Sparks moving onto Kingdom Kids next term. The pictures reflect just some of the fun that was enjoyed. Thanks FSO Caroline and your team for such a great year. 
As you will have read we welcomed our newest soldier yesterday. The ceremony followed the ministry of The Word - but could not be finished as normal because God's Spirit took over. We welcome Soldier Gary! Here are some words of testimony that Gary shared:- july 12th 1997 my world colasped around me.i have been saved and blessed so much.why?.because our lord had faith he had trust and he loved me.he had a plan for me.he had work for me.god has helped me to re build my life.becomeing a soldier is another step forward on my journey.i have to keep moveing forward and to keep growing with god.if i dont do enything to move forward i would be turning my back on god.turning my back on all he has blessed me with.i will continue to grow and continue to love and honour god.in the past couple of years i have been able to do so much more in my life.you have all given me so much love and support.i love and care for you all.the past life has gone.god i am sorry for all the mistakes i have made.god you have given me new life with a fresh start.july 15th 2007 my soldier ship starts.thankyou jesus
Today was another day blessed by God. In the morning, despite a number away for various reasons (including the weather), we had over seventy and had a great time of worship, celebration and encouagement, led by Luke Johnson. Our senior leader, Ian, spoke, and spoke about Kingdom People, looking at what it really means to be a citizen of this Kingdom and the reality of what it means to be part of the Kingdom. Following this Gary Chittenden was enrolled as a soldier of Jesus Christ in The Salvation Army, reminded of the importance of being a Kingdom Person, and during his time of prayer and dedication people were encouraged too to renew their commitment and covenant with God. An extended time of prayer followed and God's Spirit came powerfully over many. 
Our annual mission outreach to Tenterden was a great success in so many ways. Firstly a great number from the church attended to be part of this, secondly over £700 was collected, and thirdly it gave us a massive opportunity to be able to stand alongside people and share our faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Especially powerfully was those engaging in prayer ministry, and standing the streets asking people if they had prayed requests. THere and then many people were prayed with - and this will, we know, impact the lives of many many people. We thank God for this day - the weather was amazing, and also for those who gave their time to engage in such ministry 
Again our hall was full for our celebration meeting, led by our senior leaders, and opened by Envoy Val. The Envoy reminded us about Worship on Him, and the rest of the day rested on this foundation and reminder. During the meeting Captain Catherine Cotterill from the William Booth College, dedicated to God Hope Sara Jewesson Woodgate, the daughter of our senior leaders who gave to God all that Hope is and should be for His Honour and Glory. Assistant Senior Leader Carl spoke some words of encouragement, and Joel Whitewood sang a blessing. Following the celebration, a celebration buffet was held. We are grateful to the many who shared this event including others who joined us from Bracknell, Wokingham, Midsomer Norton, Eastbourne....and Ashford! 
There's two big events happening in Ashford this Sunday - the first, and least important is the TourDe France travelling through the town, and the second is our worship meetings. We start at 10.30am with celebration and worship at the East Stour School, and this will be led by our senior leaders. Our speaker will be Captain Gordon Cotterill from the William Booth College, and he will be accompanied by his wife, Captain Catherine Cotterill, who will be conducting the Dedication to God of Hope Sara Jewesson Woodgate. This is followed by a buffet meal. Everyone is welcome to come and be family together. And then don't go home, travel down to our church centre and enjoy time together for our Disciple College event which will start at 6pm and also be led by our senior leaders. Please pray about this Sunday and come and share the day with us. We would love to see you. BUT a warning watch the closed roads and traffic problems on such a day... and thats not because you are coming to church, but because of the bikes!
We shared a very exciting First Sunday today, with over one hundred people sharing with us, including different faces among our 'usual' Sunday Childrens Church, and many of their parents and friends. It was a real blessing, and today we celebrated our children and youth in our end of term and end of year celebration. The children took part in singing, drama and other activities, all led by the brilliant Captain Sue! Adults also featured too, and played an important role in the procedures. Our thanks were expressed to the children for their support by the presenting of prizes, and our toddler, childrens and youth ministries team were also recognised and celebrated. We are so blessed. Especial thanks to Clare and Caroline in their role in children/youth and toddler ministry. To conclude the day, being first Sunday, we enjoyed our family celebration meal, attended by about eighty people. 
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