THE EVENT - FEBRUARY

THE EVENT - FEBRUARY was a great occasion with over 100 people sharing together. Our vision for this 'event' for sometime has been that 'different' people would come to church, and for this occasion we sent out a great number of invitations, and a great number of people attended that we do not normally have the opportunity to share with. The focus for this month was What's Love got to do with it? and throughout the event looked at this through a number of ways. This included really thoughtful and challenging talks from Rachel Whitewood, Ruth Wadsworth, Carol Monk and Ellie Durston. They helped us understand what difference God's Love have made to them. 'Game Show' was also featured asking couples, friends and siblings to answer questions about what they know (or do not know) about each other. The winners were the couple - Lyn and George. Tina Turner sang (by CD) What's Love Got to do with it, which was followed by a clip from Love Actually, which answered clearly - everything! Captain Sue sang Love changes everything and reminded us clearly that it does, but its God's Love that does it all. While all this happened the Kingdom Kids had lots of challenges to complete, which included love letters to God, a banner on how we can share love, and cards to give to everyone reminding them that love matters and we love them! Captain Ian concluded the event by reminding us simply three words - GOD IS LOVE - and how the Cross speaks of that so powerfully. Love changes everything in us, through us and we can indeed help people realise that Love has got everything to do with life because of THE CROSS. 'Written in Red' - a beautiful pieace of music followed in which people prayed.

THE FAMILY CELEBRATION MEAL gave us opportunity to celebrate Envoy Val's 60th birthday after which she cut her birthday cake, and as Captain Sue let us in some songs about love, we eat. Songs included Its' love that makes the world go round, Jesus' love is very wonderful, Yes Jesus loves me, Your love is amazing. We thank God again for this opportunity of providing a healthy growing Christian Community - faith in action, and sharing our love and trust in God, through sharing as the early church did in providing, eating, praying, worshipping and so much more.

PRAYERS

Please remember in your prayers our senior leaders and their family, as this Thursday they receive news of where their new appointment within The Salvation Army will be. Additionally we will also receive news of who our new leaders will be here in Ashford - so equally please pray for those people, whom we do not know at this time, but God does. This is an important time for many throughout the UK - some corps/churches will not be receiving replacements and we need to remember them too at this time. Letters received this week will change the lives of many - your prayer support for them and our own situation is important.

IT WORKS FOR US....

As part of their series 'It works for Us', Salvationist carries a double page spread on what is happening at Ashford - and it sounds like a great place. Actually, it gives us a great opportunity to share what God is doing, but also to see what He has been doing over the years and creating among us. God is pretty amazing isn't He? Make sure you get your copy of the 2nd February edition now.

BIRMINGHAM SONGSTERS

A reminder that VERY SOON we will be visited by the Birmingham Citadel Salvation Army Songsters for a whole weekend. On Saturday 23rd February they will be sharing outreach at County Square, and then at 6pm a musical festival at the Ashford Baptist Church. Admission is free but complimentary tickets are available. On the Sunday they will be leading our worship meeting at 10.30am, and following this will be sharing a meal with us. At 3pm, they will lead their final celebration meeting. If you would like to book a meal, please contact us.

There are lots of ways that people can be involved - if you could offer bed and breakfast that would be great - see Captain Sue. If you would like to make a financial donation towards the weekend that would be great. If you could help provide food for the Saturday tea and Sunday tea, that also would be great. Speak with the senior leaders about any of this.

LEADERS RETREAT

Salvation Army Officers from throughout the London South East Division have just returned from three days retreat at Ashburnham, under the theme - To Boldly Go. Bishop Wallace Benn, the bishop of Lewes led some Bible studies, and Adrian and Bridget Plass spoke in an evening session. Other sessions were led by our divisional leaders.

DAY OF RETREAT ANNOUNCED

We are pleased to announce information regarding our day of retreat and renewal, which is booked for 15th March, and will take place from 10.30am-4pm. This will be the launch of our Holy Week activities for this year, and will be based around our teaching focus for 2008 - Living by faith. Chick and Margaret Yuill will be our leaders for the Saturday and also speaking on the Sunday. The day will be FREE, but we are asking for support towards the expenses of the day and also towards a light meal that will be provided. There is also a childrens programme provided. Please contact us to request a booking form.

WHATS LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT?

PLEASE JOIN US THIS SUNDAY. Its our monthly opportunity to come together and enjoy being a community of people, being a family, getting to know one another, and building relationships with those we do not know. Its an important Sunday, and we take these weeks very seriously, because we want them to do the best. This Sunday there will be lots to consider, and much to enjoy. There will be people helping us to understand what love has got to do with it, and challenges for the children. There will be time to celebrate relationships, in the best of friends quiz, and an amazing three course meal, followed by THE FINALE, time to sum up the day and help us to put it all together. Refreshments are served from 10am, and we will conclude about 2pm

YOUTH 'CHURCH'

Why give up your Sunday afternoon and take my children out for nothing? The question more than one parent asked the leaders of our youth event, which concluded Sunday. The youth enjoyed the first of a series of special events, which helped us as 'church' express that they matter and are a valued part of our family. This event took them to the local bowling centre - ten pin that is - and enjoy two games, plus burger and chips. God is teaching us so much about what 'church' is, and that it is more than just nice meetings on Sundays. Church is being with People - and as we often remind ourselves, existing for those who may not yet be members of it!

SUNDAY 27TH JANUARY 2008

A full hall met together today for worship. Our focus today was praying for our children and childrens ministries. The songs used in worship this morning were all chosen by the children and added to the joy that we shared in celebrating the blessing we have in having children as part of this church community. Starting with How Great is Our God, we recognised God is with us and other songs helped expressed what God is doing, including:- Give thanks to the Lord; Celebrate in the Lord; I've found Jesus; Your mercy taught us how to dance; Higher, Higher; Our God is a Great Big God; and Shine Jesus Shine. Our childrens ministries officer shared some interviews with children about the things they face in life, and Heather Whitewood helped us to reflect on ensuring we are allowing ourselves to be in God's hands and moulded by Him. Captain Sue asked us whether we knew how to make yorkshire puddings, but recognised that many of us relied on Aunt Bessie to help! However very few had had the recipe passed down, and it was recognised that can be the same with our Christian Experience, that we do not pass it down and share with people the reality that we too have found Jesus! Quoting from the Old Testement, Captain reminded us that one generation will tell another, and how we need to be telling this generation about the Love of God and the difference He makes to us - and in that we will make a difference to this world! We cannot blame the world when we do not tell the world the better opition! Following this the children came back into our meeting having spent sometime praying for us. One Kingdom Kid told us 'we prayed for you because we love you'. Following this people were encouraged to visit the prayer zones, set up by the senior leaders and childrens ministries officer, and looking at prayer requests from the children. Our childrens team also spent sometime going into the community and visiting the Kingdom Kids in their homes. A simple meal was also shared - which today reflected again Acts 2 Church - we prayed, we worshipped, God was among us, we saw things happening, we eat together and we served the community! Thank you God for todays Community Church!

THE JANUARY SALE

THE JANUARY SALE saw a great number of our local community come and help us raise funds for our continued work in the local town they live in, and indeed the immediate area. We are grateful for the many who donated unwanted Christmas Gifts that we were able to sell on, and that with together the cakes and refreshments, we raised over £360. We are thankful to everyone who gave their time to help and support, and all those of course, who helped spend their money!!