7th March

A visit to Stapleton Road (Bristol) for their 143rd church anniversary. An exciting multicultural congregation. The service included prizes given to the Sunday School by a local councillor.

6th March

Christian Ministries Committee (No picture!).

28th February

A visit to Rhiwderin, a church which has exchange visits with Kingswood Church (visited last week). They have also called a new pastor. (Dave seen on the right.)

24th February

A meeting of the mission network in Nottingham. (No picture!)

February 21st - Kingwood Congregational Church

A visit to a church which has a very increased congregation due to lots of new arrivals! Currently Kingswood is about to call a new pastor.

Friday 19th February

A stunning drive down from Inverness past the Lochs back to Gloucestershire.

Thursday 18th February

A drive to to Avoch Congregational Church (pronounced "Och!")with Malcolm Muir (chair of Congregational Federation in Scotland) to discuss future ministry there - a warm and welcoming church which is concerned to choose the right style of ministry.

16th Feb (continued)

The Kittybrewster Church meets at the Powis community centre which includes Annie's cafe, dance and football sessions, and so much more.









Charlie, one of the people taking the local training course

15th - 16th February

Meeting, listening and learning about the Aberdeen churches and enjoying warm hospitality.





The "ecumenical" development at Cove and the need for an extension at their children's work.
The ministry at Potterton and Balmedie, Danestone and Woodside, which include so many children's activities.

Sunday Evening

I drove north to Peterhead to bring greetings to the church there and to hear about exciting developments - new members and a Sunday School of twenty-seven, and a thriving cafe lunch club. Here Minister James McMillan enjoys after church fellowship.

Sunday 14th February

I took part in the service in Perth Congregational Church after being welcomed by the Provost of Perth and Kinross Council John Hulbert.








An unexpected reunion with ex-members of Sandford Congregational Church (Devon) now living in Scotland.

Scottish visit Friday 12th February - 19th February

Saturday 13th



A chance to hear how the Scottish area works as I attended their council meeting in Perth. It was interesting to see how they divided into Mission, Ministry, Finance, and children's work groups, and then resumed to report back.







Evening

I enjoyed high tea with office bearers and members from the Perth Congregational Church, and Minister Gordon Campbell.

February 8th

The Dominican Republic (One Respe) team met at the Christian Aid office in London. It was great to meet up (together with Michael Heaney and Sandra Turner) and formulate plans for the forthcoming months to share our message with the Federation.
Please get in touch if you would like us to speak at your church.

February 7th

Visit to Chulmleigh (no photo again) Congregational Church.
A chance to worship in a church which is celebrating its 300th anniversary this year.
The Church meets at 4pm - the Methodists use this building in the morning and often join the Congregational Church in the afternoon. The service is always followed by tea so it was food to share with the Chulmleigh folk.

January 31st

Visit to Narborough Congregational Church (sorry no photo).
An exciting and vibrant church with a dedicated team ministry which is working well.
Great to see a number of children and young families and to hear about new initiates particularly amongst children and in schools.

Tuesday 26th & Wednesday 27th January

Christmas comes late to Sandford Congregational Church with a party for the children on Tuesday and one for the older folk on the Wednesday.

24th Jan - afternoon

In the afternoon a visit to Newton Burgoland Congregational Church (Catherine Booton's other church). A small but enthusiastic congregation in a beautiful little building.

Sunday 24th of January

A visit to Ashby-de-la-Zouch to take the morning service. Afterwards Robert (Catherine Booton's husband) with willing helpers cooked a delicious meal for thirty six people.

Tuesday, 12 January

Having spent over a week with Prospery Raymond (Christian Aid's regional manager for Haiti)during my recent visit to the Dominican Republic, it is only too easy to imagine the desperation that will now drive even more Haitians into the DR. Those already there face the additional anguish of not knowing anything about the fate of their loved ones and the pain of their suffering. Onè Respe needs urgent resources if it is to have a significant impact within this unfolding human tragedy. Prospery himself (see photo) is safe although the Christian Aid office in Port-au-Prince has been destroyed.

Sunday, 3 January 2010

Travelled on icy roads to take a 4 p.m. service at Dowlais (Merthyr Tydfil) Congregational Church, where a number of people braved the elements to join in worship. After a quick cup of tea, drove across the valleys to Pontypool - Emmaus Church (barely arriving on time) to take the 6 p.m. service followed by communion.