2010

CLOTHES COLLECTION FOR MALAWI   We have now resumed our collection of children’s clothes to send to an orphanage in Malawi . We are collecting good quality children’s clothes – anything from baby clothes to those suitable for 18 year olds. There will be a collecting box in the Drew Chapel in Church. Please keep us in mind if you have anything suitable!

FAIRTRADE STATUS FOR WELLINGBOROUGH -  We are asked to make a final push to get the town to be officially recognised as supporting Fairtrade. EVERYONE can help by asking at our places of work and leisure if they support and use Fairtrade tea and coffee or other goods. There are supplies of leaflets to give out to help you in this task. Why not ask at your school, opticians, dentists, the Library, CAB, estate agents, hairdressers etc. Let us know your results and do something positive for Lent.... Love life Live Lent!  Thank you Susan Bedford and Heather Tatam  

INVITATION TO THE FIRESIDE – Somebody once said: “There’s a good time coming, it’s almost here”.  This is certainly so as far as I am concerned, and writing to Fireside members (and any interested in joining with us) I want you to know that the new session is to begin on Tuesday 15th September in the Meeting Room at Salem Hall at 7.30pm.

AN UNRIVALLED OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE – the URC’s General Assembly will be held at Loughborough University (50 minutes away by train) Friday 2 July to Monday 5 July 2010.  Would you like to be a steward, all travel and expenses met? 

The jobs to be done include  -- distributing papers to members of Assembly --  information desk -- car parking and direction -- preparing for communion and clearing after --tidying up after the event

Duties could be from 8am till 2pm or 12noon till 9pm. In between you would be able to listen to the business of the Assembly and see the special presentations that there will surely be. Please ask Claire Ette for a form.

 SYNOD ROADSHOWS - The Synod is trying to make sure that as many people as possible are kept up to date with what is on offer from the Synod and, accordingly, is offering Roadshows in six locations around the Synod in February.  The nearest Roadshow to us is on 8th February from 7pm to 9.30pm at Crossways, Yardley Hastings.  The theme, Powered by Prayer. 

The programme begins with refreshments at 7pm, and worship based on the Vision4Life 2010 theme of Prayer and Spirituality. Then workshops from which one may choose: prayer and spirituality, financing the mission of the local church, creating pastorate profiles of each church for mission, growing in faith.  The Roadshow will be led by our Moderator with the Synod Officers and a number of committee convenors. 

Paul Bedford will definitely be attending this Roadshow and would be pleased to offer 3 spaces in his car.

WOMEN’S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER – Despite the name, all are welcome to the Salvation Army, Salem Lane for this year’s service entitled

“Let everything that has breath, praise God” prepared by Christian women of Cameroon.  Friday 5 March at 2.30pm

KNITTING NEEDLES NEEDED The first consignment were very gratefully received, so the Girls' Brigade are going to send out more knitting needles to the GB company in Malawi with whom they have made a link. If anyone has any spare needles to donate please give them to one of the GB staff or senior girls. Thank you Susan Bedford  

SPRING CLEAN – Many hands make light work so please come to church on Saturday morning 6^th March between 9 and 12 when we can give the church itself a spring clean and sort out.

There will be a list at the back of the church from today indicating jobs needing to be done. Please get a feel for what we are up to and what you could help with and add to it if there is something you see needing to be done.

USED STAMPS FOR GUIDE DOGS FOR THE BLIND My thanks to all who have given used stamps (box in the Drew Chapel) for Guide Dogs for the Blind. We are still collecting – do you have a contact with an office or other place of work who could start collecting? PS A quarter inch border is useful.  Many thanks, Kathleen York

RECYCLING THOSE INK CARTIDGES  - there is a box in church for recycling (all except Epson) computer ink and toner cartridges, and also mobile phone handsets.  If you would like to drop your cartridges etc into the box on an ongoing basis, we shall make sure they get collected.  The scheme benefits “Traidcraft”. For more information, visit www.recyclingappeal.com/recyclenow

 SYNOD ROADSHOWS - The Synod is trying to make sure that as many people as possible are kept up to date with what is on offer from the Synod.  The nearest Roadshow to us is on 8th February from 7pm to 9.30pm at Crossways, Yardley Hastings.  The theme, Powered by Prayer. 

Refreshments at 7pm, and worship based on the Vision4Life 2010 theme of Prayer and Spirituality. Then workshops from which one may choose: prayer and spirituality, financing the mission of the local church, creating pastorate profiles of each church for mission, growing in faith. The Roadshow will be led by our Moderator, Synod Officers and a number of committee convenors. 

Paul Bedford, Sue Scott and Paul Youngman will definitely be attending this Roadshow and would be pleased to sort lifts.

East Area Celebration : April 18th 2010, to be held at Yardley Hastings. See Sue Scott for details

East Area Celebration : led bt Rev Neil Thorogood - June 12th 2010. See Sue Scott for details