SUNDAY, 27TH JULY 2008

On Sunday we were reminded at the start of the service about working together (Hebrews 10), like geese who fly in formation and never deviate we too need to work in harmony.

Assistant Senior Leader Carl handed out blank pieces of paper and asked us all to draw the person who has inspired us the most, quite a few drew Jesus or God, others drew a parent and a few drew leaders from the church. Carl then showed us the current advert for a mobile phone company which illustrates how many people influence us throughout our llives. Carl also used this illustration for his sermon but the greatest influence we should have is Jesus the 'Great I am'.

LITTERPICK AND COMMUNITY JOBS

This Sunday, 27th July we are using our free afternoon to litterpick, wash cars and prayerwalk around the area near East Stour Primary School (where we worship on sunday mornings and Kingdom Kids on fridays). All members and friends are welcome to come along.

SOLDIER GARY'S POEM

Dear Ian Sue Grace Adam and Hope,
you are special loved and your kind.
You've loved and cared,
for us all the time.
Your love for God and us,
truly shows.
We all feel sad,
its time that you go.
Your light will still shine,
to guide the way.
Please come back soon,
and brighten our day.
You've done so much,
we'll never forget.
Your love with Jesus,
out shines all the rest.

BE THE LIGHT

For the last time, we want to use this opportunity of THE BLOG to thank you all for being a part of our lives over the last five years, and for allowing us to be a part of your church over this time. We cannot believe that now five years and two weeks are over - equally we cannot believe that we have been the longest ever serving officers at the corps in its history!!! Those five years have been full of so much, but we cannot fail to look back and see the Hand of God among us - and we pray it will continue. We know that God's hand is going nowhere - but we know too, that God's people have to allowed His hand to lead, touch, bless, restore, save, heal and deliver - and that would be our final reflection to you all. Allow God's Hand to be in the right place!!!! Don't rely on man to do anything, but trust God to do everything! Without God you can do nothing, and as Captain Sue reminded us on our farewell Sunday - we can get through trials, we can get through problems and situations - if we want to, and as believers we are promised with God all things are possible, so there is no reason why we can also be victorious is we allow the Victious One to lay His hand on our lives and touch us where it hurts, where He needs to be touching. We thank each and everyone of you for allowing us to be a part of what God has done in the last five years (and two weeks) and we trust that we will continue to visit this blog, and to hear from you all, as to what God continues to do. There is no reason why the church need not continue to grow, continue to see new members welcomed, continued to see our outreach, our mission and ministry effective lives - the only reason why it may not happen is because we do not allow it to; because we stop being involved; because we stop believing; because we stop the Hand of God doing what He wants. Our prayer continues to be, Lord use your people to do Your will and to fulfil your purposes. Each one of you who are members and friends will be receiving a little personal note from us in the next few days or so, but we wanted to just now say thank as we conclude our responsibility as pastors and leaders of this church - and to remind you that we continue to pray for you, love you and care for you, and will not cease to do that. Moving on for us we means we loose so many regular faces from our daily lives - but we have a picture which holds you all on in, and daily will be remembered of many friends who we know will also be praying for us.

We ask you please to continue to pray, and in that continually for your new Lieutenants, Emma and Mark. We ask you to support them more than you have us, and to ensure they are accepted and loved in the ways you have us - and more. We believe you can do that, and entrust to you, two more servants who come, sent by God and The Salvation Army to be part of what God is doing - not to do it, not to be left to get on with it, but to serve alongside you a God who has called us to build His Kingdom, to minister to one another and to minister to Him. May your life continue to be a blessing to Him.

And, we ask you to continue to remember Adam, Grace and Hope as they adjust to these changes. They will always be pleased to hear from you. We plan to set up email addresses for them (mayeb not hope yet), so you may want to contact them. You have been such a special part of their lives and developments.

Finally - to the leaders, members and friends, thank you dearly for everything. To Val and Carl, for all they did in the lead up to our leave, the leaving day, and since, thank you. To Emma and Mark, we love you and believe in you, and support you for the days ahead. We will always be here for you too. For the gifts, for the invitations to your homes for meals, meals out, coffee, Garys Poem, cards, hugs, texts, emails and more - thank you. Each is treasured and valued.

Thank you finally, to the Marshalls for taking on THIS BLOG and keeping us in touch. We will look forward to regularly visiting and seeing what is happening. And, we will certainly look forward to reading the great and exciting things.... all of which you can be part of

Continue to BE THE LIGHT OF JESUS - and to enable that, you need to be living within that Light, and growing in it, reflectign it, ministering it and sharing it. May His Light shine in you and then through you.

Our heart aches to say Goodbye - so its just, see ya, and thanks, and look forward to meeting soon - we will meet again, don't know when, don't know where, but we know we'll meet again some 'sunny' day!!!

Susan and Ian xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Grace, Adam and Hope

ENROLMENT OF SOLDIER

Sunday, 20th July 2008 saw Captain Ian enrolling a new soldier of Jesus Christ in The Salvation Army. Ruth Wadsworth, who has been attending the church for nearly five years, shared how she believed God had asked her to go deeper in her spiritual life and once again become a soldier. Ruth had been an Adherent-Member and made this decision herself to make a public declaration of her faith in this way.

GOODBYE TO THE WOODGATES

The day we had been dreading for months finally came around, the Woodgate's last Sunday at Ashford Salvation Army. Envoy Val started the service by reminding us that change is sometimes good; we all need changes in our lives. Assistant Senior Leader Carl led the service, to keep all the children involved he hid pieces of puzzle over the hall and the children had to find the pieces, this took some time as some pieces were hidden well. This was no ordinary puzzle, it contained the names of groups/activities, services (eg food parcels) courses, events, outings & holidays and worship to name just a few things offered at Ashford Salvation Army.

During their time in Ashford Sue and Ian have either developed or introduced everything mentioned in this puzzle and in their own words, they wished they could have done more (humbling isn't it). I just hope that we can continue everything they have started with the same enthusiasm they have. While this exercise was being carried out a powerpoint presentation of photos of the Woodgate family over the last five years was shown.
Home & Family read out a poem about how Captain Ian's tea should be made, STRONG WITH A DASH OF MILK !; they also showed a slideshow presentation of a scrapbook that our Adult Ministries Officer had made, with members of Home and Family enjoying their time at Ashford Salvation Army on Wednesdays.

Flame (our Sunday youth group) over the last few weeks filmed au revoir messages from Church family and friends, unfortunately the dvd was shown during the service for us all to get embarassed. Flame also, with help from CMO Clare, performed the "Everything Skit" which I am led to understand is going to be uploaded onto youtube (watch this space).

An opportunity was given for anyone to say anything about or to Sue and Ian regarding the last five years. Members thanked them both for being there in times of need (nothing was ever too much for them) and performing the simplest of tasks (nothing was ever beneath them). One member reminded us that when the Woodgates came we worshipped at our centre and within months we outgrew the hall and just over two years ago had to move to the school, which we have now filled. God blessed us the day He sent Sue and Ian to Ashford.

The day was completed the Salvation Army way, with food ! Carl and his team put on a great spread which included a BBQ.



Thank you Woodgates for the last five years, we will miss you but we know we will see you again.

KINGDOM KIDS OUTING JULY 2008

On Saturday, 19th July our children's group, Kingdom Kids visited London Zoo. The day started early at East Stour School, where we boarded the coach and mini bus. The journey was long and tiring but we survived ! Our coach driver had an obsession with cranes every one he saw, he pointed out, red ones, yellow ones and some were even blue! London had a lot of building work being carried out.
We spent a very enjoyable day at the zoo looking at the many animals including reptiles, big cats, amphibians and Captain's favourite Meerkats.
At lunch time we all met up for a picnic in the park area. There was even the opportunity to go on the merry go round.
A great day was had by all, so our thanks go to the Kingdom Kids team and a great big thank you to the Rotary Club for funding an enjoyable day out to the Zoo.

PRAYER MINISTRY COURSES

Two Prayer Ministry Courses have been held this week as part of the church resourcing people in their spiritual lives. Organised by prayer office, Elsie, Captain Ian gave teaching from God's Word about the importance of being ministers and reaching out to the hurting broken world, as Christ entrusted us too. As part of this we looked at the importance of praying for people and praying with people, and how this could be done, and be effective. Recognising though, that God does not need us - we celebrated how God has chosen to pour into our lives the gifts of His Spirit, so we can be ministering into the needs and situations of so many people

FAREWELL

Next Sunday, 20th July we bid farewell to our Corps Officers Captain Susan and Captain Ian Woodgate. The morning is being organised by our Assistant Senior Leader Carl Whitewood and along with the leaders would love to see members and friends, old and new, come along to wish Ian, Sue, Grace, Adam and Hope all the best for the future in Forestdale Croydon.

If you are in contact with anyone who has attended any group within the corps over the last 5 years please invite them along.


ps please bring a box of tissues !

DIVISIONAL FIESTA 2008

On Sunday, 13th July, 40 members of the Ashford Corps attended the Divisional Fiesta at Redhill. The morning commenced with a worship meeting led by Drew McCombe, the theme for the day was Connect for... and Drew used a game of Connect Four to help us to remember what connects and disconnects us to/from God. Thankfuly good triumphed over evil !

Alove led the singing and the Divisional Youth band played along with a few songs. Annika Scutt with Ian Scutt (no relation) performed two songs from their new CD.

Antony Cotterill, Divisional Leader preached the lesson and used the illustration of lightning (which needs a connector) to demonstrate how we need to stay connected to God.
Following the service everyone grabbed some lunch, whether it was a picnic, BBQ or dinner from the dining hall. Those having a picnic or burgers from the BBQ sat on the immense playing field and spent the afternoon resting and chatting. Intercorps Connect 4 was played on the field, which was won by a girl from Croydon corps (she beat her opponent in just over 7 seconds). Mid afternoon the youth band played for an hour. During the afternoon 75 lucky people were able to go swimming in the indoor pool and a number of folks entered the treasure hunt.
The day concluded with a time of reflection and worship. It s hard to pray for everything going on around us, Drew suggested that we follow the example of a Corps Officer in Nottingham and concentrate on the area within our postcode.

We all had a fabulous day with family and friends.

Thanks to all the DHQ staff who organised the event.

IGNITE - END OF YEAR TRIP TO THE WOODS

To conclude the year, Ignite, our friday night youth group ventured to Challock Woods. Clare (youth mentor) organised a wide game which involved two teams, balls and a field. Once all the runners balls were captured by the raiders it was time to for the BBQ, once again cooked to perfection by Assistant Senior Leader Carl! Apart from a few scratches (well who wears shorts and flip flops to the woods, honestly!) all the young people had a great time.
Thank you to Captain Sue, ASL Carl, Clare and Nathan for organising a good finale to the year.

HOME & FAMILY END OF YEAR CONCERT

Last Wednesday, our Home & Family group ended the year with the wonderful clarinet playing of Alison Quiinn, niece of our Home & Family Assistant Leader, Pam Quinn. Alison played some Jazz, Big Band and some familiar favourites. Some members even got up to dance (as you can see from the photos). Whether they sang, danced or just listened to the beautiful music, everyone enjoyed the afternoon and Alison was asked for an encore, she duly obliged wth 2 more tunes.
I am sure Alison will return, sometime in the not so distant future.

OPEN HOUSES

As part of their way of saying thank you for the love, support and encouragement received over the last five years by many within this church family, our senior leaders have held a series of open houses, and supper parties, to bring together all members and friends of the church. Many have attended over the last two or three weeks, and enjoyed shared meals. The senior leaders would like to thank everyone who gave up their time to come together, and for the opportunity of being together in this way.

YOUR COMMENTS PLEASE

As the church faces an exciting future under the reign and power of God, we are about to see a change in 'senior leadership'. We invite comments here about what you look back over the last few years, and thank God for? What has challenged you, what has aided you, what has helped you and meant you have grown in Christ? Lets celebrate together

ps) we also have a poll in the right column of the page - do visit that as well

MORE PICTURES FROM THE END OF TERM CELEBRATION

CELEBRATING NEW LIEUTENANTS

Twelve people from the church travelled to London to this years Commissioning of new Salvation Army officers, especially to be in support of our new leaders, (now) Lieuenants Emma and Mark Scott. The afternoon meeting including the commissioning and ordination, conducted by Commissioner John Matear, the territorial commander, and Commissioner Elizabeth Matear - territorial secretary for women's ministries - brought the address. In the evening celebration meeting, the new Lieutenants were warmly welcomed by the many hundreds who attended the event at Westminster Central Halls, and many responded at the end of the day to the challenge from Commissioner John Matear to allow God to breath on us, in us and through us.

STRAWBERRY TEA

The annual Strawberry Tea took place at our church centre on Wednesday - although planned to take place at the home of Susan and Ian - however the rain put a stop to that. A quick change to plans, meant we enjoyed some 'entertainment' from Ian, and Captain Susan singing to 'Simple song of love' and 'Draw me close to you'. Captain Sue arranged some amazing strawberry dishes.

SUNDAY 6TH JULY 2008 - END OF YEAR CELEBRATION

Today we shared a very exciting First Sunday with about a hundred people, including members of Bright Sparks & Kingdom Kids and their family and friends. We celebrated our toddlers, children and youth in our end of term and end of year celebration. The children took part in singing, games and other activities, all led by the Captain Sue Woodgate. The adults joined in the tasks too. Thanks were also expressed to the toddlers, children and youth for their support by the presenting of prizes. Prizes were also given to the toddlers', childrens' and youth ministries' teams as well as others who help behind the scenes during the week. Thank you to you all. To conclude the day, being first Sunday, we enjoyed a family celebration buffet, attended by about

eighty people. A big, no HUGE thank you to Captains, Ian and Sue Woodgate who once again worked tirelessly to organise today and made it the special day that it was.

IGNITE BEACH PARTY - 4th JULY

The Ignite Youth group's penultimate session was a beach party at Eastcliff beach, Folkestone. About 35 attended and had a great time. Some of the more adventurous of the youth went into the sea and 3 of them up to their necks! Others played with a kite and bat & balls, whilst some just chatted to their friends. The evening concluded with a BBQ, organised by Carl Whitewood.