Sunday Services

Our services are at 4:30pm every Sunday at:

Twyford Church of England High School,

Twyford Cresent,

Acton

London W3

Sunday is when the whole of Oak Tree worship God together as a ‘family’. It is also a time when we are encouraged to hear how God is working in and through our lives and the world around us. Services are a blend of contemporary music, informal interaction, contemplative moments and challenging teaching from the Bible. At least once a month we share in Holy Communion and there is always an opportunity for individuals to be prayed with.

The children are an important part of the Oak Tree ‘family’ – they are the Church of Tomorrow, Today. For part of each Sunday the 3-10+’s participate in their own programme of worship and teaching (Kidz Club) and we have a creche in operation for 0-2’s.  More info on the Childrens Church page.

Through our worship together we aim to grow in relationship with God and with one another, learning to become disciples of Jesus and a true community of God’s people in this part of London.

We look forward to seeing you at Oak Tree soon.

Oak Tree Policy on Admitting Children to Communion

The ACC decided in principle to admit *children to Communion in July.

But the ACC also wanted to keep a balance between admitting children from baptism (the only true membership of the church) and a need for understanding and teaching on the subject.

We also have to follow regulations of the Church of England on this issue.

Our policy is therefore:

1. Baptism is a pre-requisite
2. Baptised children will be allowed to receive communion at whatever age their parents feel that they are ready to do so. In other words when the parents feel that their children have appropriate understanding and spiritual awareness of what they are participating in.
3. In such a situation, the parents will be asked to administer the sacrament. Parents giving their children communion should be baptised and receiving communion themselves. If not, they should be encouraged to do so first.
4. There will therefore be no set age for first communion, it will vary from child to child. It may still be the point of confirmation if so wished by the individual and their parents.
5. If there are children who come to church without their parents then the Children’s Worker and Vicar will make a decision as to when the child is ready to receive, once appropriate enquiries have been made to parents/guardians.
6. Both adults and children will also have teaching on Holy Communion at appropriate times.
7. Oak Tree Anglican Fellowship will encourage confirmation for young people in partnership with parents and on an individual basis.
8. We will have a policy of one designated alcohol free chalice.

CAP Money Course

What is CAP Money?

CAP Money is a revolutionary money management course that teaches people budgeting skills and a simple, cash-based money management system that really works. This course has universal appeal and will empower you to get more in control of your finances.

CAP Money is a three-session course, featuring weekly DVD presentations by John Kirkby, the Founder and International Director of CAP. The CAP Money Coaches, will then work through individual budgets with delegates.  (which is completely confidential)

Dates, 2nd, 9th and 16th November 2009
Venue: 41 Bollo Bridge Road
Time: 8pm - 9.30pm

Gift Day

Oak Tree’s annual Gift Day where during the Sunday service we think about how we can give back to Oak Tree in thanksgiving for God being so generous to us. We think about our time, talents and finances and pledge what we feel called to give for the coming year.

216 Update

Dear Oaks,

Just in case you missed the update in yesterday’s service on our new building, here it is in brief.

1 The planning permission was submitted to Ealing Council about 4 weeks ago. It normally takes between 8-12 weeks in total. So another 4- 8 weeks to go. An informal discussion with the planners has already had a favourable response and so we are very hopeful.

2 The costings for the project will be submitted to us within the next week. These will then be discussed next week before a meeting with Neville Simpson, who is heading up the project, on 6 November.

3 We then have the rest of November to discuss where we might need to alter the final plans/costs etc.

4 During December if all has gone well with the previous stages we shall go out to tender.

5 In the New Year, dependant on when the builders can start, work will begin. The total time for the project being about 5-6 months.

So work should begin on site within 2-3 months! Please do pray for:

-Neville Simpson

-The OTAF Project team headed up by Sarah Miller. Obviously I have input as well.

-For planning permission

-Unity and wisdom as we respond to costings etc

-The right builders and other contractors

At some point before work begins it is hoped to have some 24 hour prayer in the building. In the meantime keep praying anyway.

As I hope you can see thing are really moving forward now and once Christmas is over it will all start to move much more quickly and in front of our very eyes.

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1). Soon we shall be able to see!

In His love,

Mark

S.H.A.P.E.

Dear Oaks,

Thank you for your prayers whilst I was away in New Zealand. I spoke at two conferences, led a three day course on kingdom theology with church leaders from across the north island (including ex Oak-Ian Hardcastle) and spoke at two other leaders days. It was very encouraging to see God powerfully on the move and to receive testimonies of His saving, healing and liberating work.

One of my reflections after completing a very full schedule was just how energised I feel despite some remnants of jet lag. It seems to me that one of the ways we discern our calling under God is by asking the question, “what energises me?”

I know all too well that all of us have to do some things that we really would rather not. The Christian life is about following a suffering servant (one image of the Messiah), but still it remains for me that when we minister within our calling we can be both exhausted and energised at the same time. On return on Tuesday I went almost immediately to the Breaking News Course at the Kings Head. I was tired after 23 hours of flying (Economy Class) but so stimulated at what it means to be part of a local Christian community seeking to reach others with the good news of the kingdom. I must admit I did hit “the wall” and have to retire early.

So, like me, you will be required to do un-glamorous and tiring work as a servant of Jesus. But what is it about the Christian life and ministry that truly energises? When is it that you feel truly alive and excited by what it means to follow Jesus? This is just one way you can discern how God wants to use you.

Your God given shape can be discovered in part by the following:

S is for spiritual gifts. How do these operate in your life?

H is for heart. What is your particular passion in serving Him?

A is for ability. What are your natural talents?

P is for personality. What best suits you as a person?

E is for experience. How has your past prepared you for serving God on the present?

In His service,

Mark

Market Family

Family fun on the Oak Tree market stall on the Mount, Acton, W3. We are looking into having bouncy castles for an inflatable afternoon of joy!

If you are a family who would like to volunteer to help man the stall, please contact Lisa in the Oak Tree

office.

Children’s and Creche team meeting

Meeting for those on the Children and Creche Teams.

Check with Lisa in the office for venue information.

ACC – Advisory Church Council

The ACC meet every other month to discuss and approve the plans of the Steering Group and represent the membership’s views and opinions to the Steering Group.

Every year members are elected at the AGM.

Our current ACC members are:

Mark Aldridge – minister in charge

Mark Bishop – curate

Sarah Miller – Church Warden

Steve Jupe – Church Warden

Ruth Roff

Jonathan Mead

Alex Perry

James Luckhoo

Carolyn Hope

Kate Aldridge

Victoria Wells

John Banks

Duncan Campbell

Dear Oaks,

A man called Duncan Campbell was preaching in London when in mid sermon the Holy Spirit spoke to him telling him to go to the west coast of Scotland. Being a man of radical obedience, Campbell immediately stopped preaching, much to the bewilderment of the congregation no doubt. He left for Scotland without so much as finishing the sermon and headed off. This is no small journey in the late 1940′s!

Duncan Campbell had no further idea of why it was he was heading north or exactly what was to happen when he arrived. When he arrived he was met at the harbour by a boatman who had also been directed by the Holy Spirit to go and collect Mr Campbell and take him out to one of the nearby islands.

What was to follow is one of the most exciting and awe inspiring recent events in the life of the British church and mission in the UK.

On Sunday we shall look to both bible and testimony and discover some of the keys that open the doors to the mighty wind of the Holy Spirit.

The human agents of change were not only preachers like Duncan Campbell but also some of the most unlikely people. This is a story of hope for anyone who thinks that God could never use them.

Ordinary people who simply obey + an extraordinary God = the advance of the kingdom of God.

I look forward to sharing more of this message on Sunday.

Every blessing,

Mark