Through the year, the Missions Group raises funds for our 3 'link' partners. In addition, the PCC allocates a percentage of a portion of its income as funds for 'Charitable Giving' from which the Missions Group distribute to the link partners......

• Burundi (via our Mission Partner, Alison and Paul Guinness)
• Family Support Work
• Friends of Mombasa Children

The Bible Society and The Children's Society also benefit from plate collections taken at one or other of the Christmas services.

A brief description of all the above follows . . . . . .

                                       NEWSLETTER June 2019

Dear Friends,

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it’. (1 Cor 12:27)
 
Paul writes: ‘If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together.’ This simple and poignant African proverb has often been used about the ministry we are wanting to be part of in this region of Africa.  Sometimes I feel things should be moving faster; then I ask myself do I really have capacity to do much more?  These last months and years I have a real sense of finding others whom God is leading on the same journey.

One example is the small monthly prayer group Alison initiated—bringing together missionaries and local Christian leaders looking to mobilise Burundian missionaries.  Each of us has found it encouraging to hear what others are doing and to feel less as though we are alone in pioneering work.In the wider context, connections we have made in the East African region and beyond are developing.  This week I’ve been in Nairobi at a ‘Disciple Making Movement (DMM) catalysts’ camp’.  DMM is a brand name for the kind of small, rapidly multiplying, locally contextualised churches that I have been considering.  This model has proved very effective amongst the unreached.  The problem I examined in my dissertation is how such methods could coexist or even be initiated by established churches with their big buildings, big identities and professional leadership.  This is one of many issues being considered at the camp.  Pray for the right connections and to hear what God is teaching others, indeed all of us.

For myself, serious Kirundi language learning has been an investment that previously I had not taken seriously.  Not only am I enjoying it, but I am learning how much language is the key to culture and participating in a community.
  

Health restored and our summer speaking programme

 
Alison writes: Thank you so much for praying for our recovery from malaria.  We feel infinitely better than a month ago.  It’ll be good to be checked out in the UK this summer that our blood levels are returning to normal levels.  We still tire more easily but it’s nothing in comparison!  We’re thankful that Paul was able to rearrange his final workshops at Great Lakes School of Theology and has now completed them.

It has been a blessing to have Paul’s mother, Liz, staying with us for 4 weeks.  She leaves this Saturday (15th) just a few hours after Paul flies back from Nairobi.  We then have a week and a half to prepare ourselves before travelling to the UK for our speaking engagements and a fortnight’s holiday.  We will be speaking at a number of our supporting churches and would love to see you if you are able to come along.

THE FOLLOWING 'BLUE' TIMETABLE HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH THE 'RED' VERSION THAT FOLLOWS.....

In July:
Sat 6, Coffee, cake and catch up, 10-11.30 am at 39 Gordonbrock Road, Brockley, London SE4 1JA;
Sun 7, 10.30 am, Brockley Community Church at Beecroft Garden School, SE4 2BS;
Friday 12, 2.30 pm Rustington Church Hall, BN16 3NL; CANCELLED
Sat 13, St Margaret’s Angmering, Mission Prayer meeting, 8.30 am followed by coffee and croissants the Vestry Hall; CANCELLED
Sun 14, 10.30 am St Mary’s Reigate, RH2 7RN, followed by coffee, cake & catch up; 4 pm St Margaret’s Angmering BN16 4JS, come for afternoon tea from 4 pm, service at 5 pm;
Sun 21, 10.45 am, Harlow Baptist Church CM17 0AB, followed by a shared lunch.

In Sept:
Sun 1, 10 am, St Swithin’s Bath, BA1 5LY;
Thurs 12-Fri 13, YWAM Ireland, Rostrevor with leaders;
Fri 13-Sat 14, CMS Ireland Ignite Conference; then back to Burundi!
 

REVISED TIMETABLE AS AT MONDAY, 15th JULY.........

Friday 12 July - meeting in Rustington Church (BN16 3NL) is now postponed and we will instead be speaking on Sun 22 September at the 9.45 am service.

Sat 13 July, prayer meeting at St Margaret's Angmering (BN16 4JS), followed by coffee and croissants, postponed until Sat 21 Sept, 8.30 - 10.30 am.

Sun 14 July the FIVE service at St Margaret's Angmering postponed visit until Sat 22 Sept. However there will be a PowerPoint with voice over about our work shown at the morning and evening services this weekend.

We expect to go ahead with all other meetings as previously announced.  Additionally please do pray for the iNet Expo, Sat 20 July, our iNet cross cultural workers' conference, at All Nations, 22-26 July and we will be camping in Green 4 at New Wine Week 1, 28 July - 2 August, with Brockley Community Church.  We are on holiday 9-26 August.

Prayer points:

- Praise for the networks of mission mobilisers God is bringing together in Burundi, regionally and beyond. Ask that there will be increasing working together to see the Burundian church take her place in world mission.

- Praise that Paul’s had an excellent week at the DMM catalysts’ camp. Please pray that Paul will have Jesus’ wisdom in implementing key learning into his practice.

- Give thanks for our restored health.

- Ask that Jesus will help us as we travel and reconnect with family, friends and churches.

The July bulletin contains news of ........ 

Bishop's Champions | AGM | Bishop Martin's speech |Amberley-Arundel Walk | FSW in action | Foodbank | Events

View the July bulletin in your browser by clicking on this link https://mailchi.mp/267bca0978b0/fsw-jul19-3541597?e=9ccc8526a2

SOME BACKGROUND NOTES.......

The Children’s Society has been supported by St. Peter and St. Paul since the time when there were two children’s homes here in Rustington - Fairlight on the Worthing Road and Carruthers Corfield House in Shaftesbury Road. Members of the church, who formed House Committees, visited these homes regularly. Fund-raising events were held to provide treats for the children.This continued until the early eighties when the homes closed and the charity started to focus on community care.

Minutes of a meeting held in 1980 record that although the local homes had closed, the “Appeal’s Committee” would continue to support the Society as it worked to help vulnerable children.

The Children's Society "Rustington Support Group" now hold four fundraising activities each year. The popular "Bake and Brew" Saturday morning events are held in the Spring and Autumn. A dinner or afternoon tea is held in the Summer months and in December the Children's Society host the Christingle Service at our church on a Sunday afternoon and this is always very well attended by children and adults alike. Since 1985, our Support Group in its various forms has raised in excess of £44,505.02 for the Society, and its work for vulnerable children and young people in England and Wales. The Support Group works very closely with the Society and its Relationship Manager for the Dioceses of Chichester, Guildford, Portsmouth and Winchester.  For more information about the work of the Children's Society please take a look at the website. www.childrenssociety.org.uk. Charity Number 221124.
 

                                                                                    Julie Churcher  16/5/19