lots of different important matters

Dear Oaks,

This week my message is more about lots of different important matters rather than a devotional message.

First, I want to update you on 216.  By the end of this week we are due to have all the tenders back from various contractors.  This will give us the headline cost and details such as when that particular contractor could start on site.  We then have a meeting scheduled for next week which will ultimately decide according to cost and other relevant factors which contractor to go with.  Obviously if all of the costs come in above budget there will be important decisions to make.  The Diocese has confirmed that they are ready to go full steam ahead!  As soon as I have more news I will pass it on to you – we are so close and builders should be on site soon.

Please pray for fair and just tenders to be returned and for myself, Kate, Sarah and Carolyn (as the 216 committee) to make wise decisions.

Secondly, the publicity period for Christians Against Poverty is now over and we await the first clients.  Of course Teresa as our CAP manager will keep working hard to publicise this work (do look out for an article in the Ealing Gazette, I think).  If you know anyone struggling with debt please be aware that CAP are highly respected in their help afforded in this area.  A new CAP money course will also be promoted this coming Sunday at church.

Please pray for Teresa as she pushes this work forward and for the first clients.

This coming Sunday is going to have a strong Indian flavour.  Our guest speaker is John Arul who has made, with others, a wonderful response to the abject poverty he has encountered in India.  John is himself Indian and oversees the work of caring for many hundreds of orphans, some of whom were orphaned after the terrible Tsunami that hit southern India about 5 years ago.  I and more recently the Willis family have visited one of his orphanages and seen for our selves the compassionate and humble service that is offered.  Not only are stomachs filled but minds educated and souls nourished.

I thought it would be fun to give the whole service an Indian feel so look out for my Indian suit (if I can still fit in to it) and if you want to wear a Sari (women only!) feel free.  In a spontaneous moment I joked last Sunday about Bombay mix (nut free) on the tables and I might even add something more!

Please pray for John as he comes to speak and for this Sunday’s meeting which is also a communion service.  Let us pray that as word and bread are broken open and wine poured out that we will deeply engage with the Living God.

Finally I want to make mention of Core Groups.  Recently I met with the group facilitators and I think it would be truthful to say that the picture is somewhat mixed.  Some groups are absolutely thriving and others are not.  It always takes a while to adjust to any changes and I do urge you to try and make these groups work well.  These are of course happening alongside the Church Central meetings where we are doing Sozo/Healing School material.   These meetings have been amongst the most powerful I have experienced for quite a while, and I know many who were deeply touched by the “fire tunnel” prayer. Come along and find out more.

You are personally invited to be part of these evenings of Word and Spirit.   Dates for the next few months will be announced just as soon as we hear back about the availability of the venue we use.  I hope this will be in the next day or so.

May you recognise the Risen Lord Jesus as you walk through this week, even in unexpected places, people and ways.

Alleluia Christ is risen, He is risen indeed, alleluia!

Mark