Monday 15 February 2016

Laser Easter UK Youth Gathering 24-28th April 2016

24-28th April 2016 God willing
 
*Because He Cares For You*
Studies lead by bro Rick Lower
Court Hill Centre, near Wantage - nearest station Didcot Parkway

Easter Weekend has been running for many years - a long weekend away for young people (secondary school > thirty-somethings), staying together with God at the centre. We used to camp out in schools, now we have been blessed with an independent youth hostel in Oxfordshire.

Come and study, discuss, hang out, walk and party with us. We're going to be thinking about real life issues..depression, heartbreak, relationships, sexuality, and God's ways, his love and his grace. He cares for you! YOU!

Creative workshops each afternoon to explore the theme for the weekend, plenty of sofas and woodland to relax in, and a fancy dress theme night with AMAZING team games.

Book at www.EasterWeekend.org.uk
Cost 45 pounds (or as much/little as you can afford, please don't let cost put anyone off)

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South West Fellowship Weekend 20 - 22 May 2016

English: George Hotel and Pilgrims' Inn, Glast...
George Hotel and Pilgrims' Inn, Glastonbury, Somerset, UK (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The Christadelphian Support Network (formerly Care Group) warmly invites you to the South West Fellowship Weekend (20 - 22 May 2016) to be led by Bro Richard Alleyne (Handsworth). The venue is Abbey House, Glastonbury, Somerset. 

Under the theme of *In the Wilderness - Finding strength in times of testing*, the weekend provides an opportunity to refocus our lives through fellowship, relaxation and refreshment while allowing plenty of time for discussion and quiet reflection in a setting of outstanding beauty. 

The cost is 150 pounds per person and covers accommodation, meals and sole use of Abbey House. Reduced rates are available for those who need assistance.
Further details and booking from Sis Hannah Menty, Tel. 01633 421936 or email: hmenty@btinternet.com 

South West Wales Prophecy Day 2016 September 24th

English: The Gwendraeth Fawr valley A beautifu...
 The Gwendraeth Fawr valley A beautiful corner of south-west Wales. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
South West Wales Prophecy Day, God Willing- Saturday September 24th at the Princess Royal Theatre, Port Talbot,SA13 1PJ.

Theme of Gathering :'Daniel chapter 11 and the time of the end'. Speakers: brother Mike Jenner (Rugby) ' The KIng of the North' and
Turkey', brother Matt Davies (Nottingham. Forest Road) 'The King of the South and Egypt', brother Simeon Guntrip "Thy people shall
be willing in the day of thy power". 

A warm welcome to all brothers and siters, young people and friends. Full details to be sent to local Ecclesias nearer the date. Contact: Brian Woodall. brwoodall@tiscali.co.uk 
 

Bible Learning Centres

English: The Font-Y-Gary, Rhoose, South Wales,...
The Font-Y-Gary, Rhoose, South Wales, UK The coast at the Font-Y-Gary Beach looking east/southeast nearing high-tide. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
If you are able to help staff a Bible Learning Centre in South Wales, UK, then please click on the following link and complete the survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1doSxv0J4RdDl2VsjUVNCdhQ7UXhgfBZqnB0OiwwlTZ0/viewform?usp=send_form

By way of further explanation: the Gorseinon Ecclesial preaching team is currently undertaking a feasibility survey for running a Bible Learning Centre in the Swansea area for up to three months. For more about Bible Learning Centres in the UK, see http://www.biblelearningcentre.org/ 

The impact of BLCs has seen fruit in Nottingham, Stirling and Solihull in terms of people taking the one-to-one seminars, attending meetings at ecclesial halls and also baptisms. Notably, there are fewer Christadelphians in Scotland than in South Wales, and the Stirling BLC was run successfully for two years. We fully believe that the South Wales Christadelphians are able to join together in a three month venture - if we roll up our sleeves and get stuck in.

At the moment, the Gorseinon Preaching Team are investigating whether the proposed Swansea BLC will be feasible both financially and in terms of staffing.
 
Please can you complete the following survey if you are prepared to commit to a shift on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis for a period of three months, God willing. There are short term affordable three month lets in Swansea's main shopping centre that we are exploring. With our Father's blessing, we believe that we could run such a venture for that short period of time - but they need at least 30 committed volunteers.

If the project proves feasible, then shifts would most likely be either for the morning 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. or for the afternoon 1 - 4.30 p.m. There should always be at least two people staffing the centre and full training will be given.

We look forward to your support in this exciting preaching venture in the last moments before our Lord returns.

With love in our Lord,

The Gorseinon Preaching Team
 
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Christadelphian Support Network Meeting: The Age of Loneliness

English: the large hall at ashby de la zouch c...
English: the large hall at ashby de la zouch castle as seen from the top of the tower (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
We warmly invite everyone to a Christadelphian Support Network Meeting:

The Age of Loneliness

Saturday 5th March, from 2pm to 7pm at Ashby Ecclesial Hall, LE65 1BW; God willing.

The day will focus on providing an environment to support the self-help of those attending and will include social time for mixing, a visit Ashby Castle, facilitated discussion on the issues on loneliness, ending with a hot meal prior to departure. Booking is essential.

To book and for further information visit www.chsn.org.uk/loneliness or contact Liz Downes on 07879 242740 or lizjdownes@gmail.com
 
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2016 Prophecy day and The Final Great Earthquake


Rugby town centre.jpgTo help us on our walk, waiting for the return of our Lord and Master the Christadelphians intend to hold their annual Prophecy day again this year on 27th February at the Benn Hall, Rugby CV212LN.

If you have a facebook account you can register your interest here to give them an idea of numbers.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1745232629030218/

This year they have again invited 3 speakers to speak under the theme
'The Final Great Earthquake!''

STUDY 1
The first speaker at 11.30am will be Bro Stephen Palmer (Mumbles) and the title of his address is 'Jerusalem, the Burdensome Stone'

STUDY 2
Second study at 2.15pm is Bro Jonathan Cope (Cov West) who will speak on
'Babylon, the Stone Destined to Sink'

STUDY 3
And the third study at 3.55 is Bro Don Pearce (Rugby) who will present his Latest 'Milestones Update'

 
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Doors open at 10am and light refreshments will be served.
Lunch will be at 12.50pm and you are encouraged to bring a packed lunch ( Liquid refreshment will be served).
Alternatively, the town center is very accessible, where a wide range of food outlets can be found.

Again the organisers are providing a Creche with a live videos link and DVD's and Audio will be available to purchase after the event by order form.
Books, magazines, video displays and craft stalls will also be in situ.

God willing, the day will also be broadcast live on the internet here...
https://www.youtube.com/user/CPDLIVE

You will also be able to watch the video from the Prophecy website on the day http://bibletruthandprophecy.com/rugby-prophecy-day-2016/rugby-prophecy-day-2016-live-broadcast/ (password 'TFGE')
Please contact editor@christadelphianvideo.org for more info.

They also hope to add the videos to the www.Christadelphianvideo.org site after the event here... https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsmUZDApxHVEZS09leXuM27FxsiESOMKb

Christadelphian Voice conferencing will also be broadcasting again this year, Please register beforehand at http://cvc.christadelphianmeetingroom.co.uk/

Sis Rachel Wadsworth has also kindly informed that they will also be broadcasting at Southport meeting room. Anyone who would like to come and join them is very welcome. They will be listening to the audio and watching the slides on the big screen.*

Ample parking is available at the Benn hall for just 3 pounds all day.

For further information please contact Bro Don Pearce
Email Milestonesuk@aol.com
Call: 01788 542408
Fax: 01788 824256
Don's Milestones website has been revamped and can be viewed here.. http://milestonesuk.org/

Visit the dedicated facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/ChristadelphianProphecyDays/

All arrangements are subject to the will of God.
 
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Priest, scribes and others with authority

John Bunyan
John Bunyan (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

For the orderly functioning of life we need to have some order and functions. Our world is divided by different hierarchical posts.

In the world of the churches there are also several posts and in many denominations those in such positions often think they are higher than others and people have to listen to them and have to do what church dictates to them.

In Christianity we can see that at the beginning it was part of Judaism.
Jesus was a respected rabbi and considered by his followers as the sent one from God who had received the authority from the Most High in heaven.

When Jesus was gone the apostles were given special Holy Spirit powers to exercise authority as well. An outstanding example was the drama with Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11) who told lies to the Apostles, but Peter said, “You have not lied to men but to God” (verse 4).

In today’s reading of the 11th chapter of Mark we read
“as he (Jesus) was walking in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and elders came to him and they said to him,
‘By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?’” (verses 27-28).
Priest and scribes were considered as the highly placed ones having authority to dictate to the people. According to them no one was supposed to teach unless they gave them authority. This is one reason why John the Baptist went into the wilderness to preach. It was this exercise of authority that saw the disciples thrown into prison when they taught in the temple (Acts 4:1-3) although later, such was the prestige of the Apostles, created by their miracles, that dramatic scenes unfolded. (Acts 5:12,13,17-20), but “none of the rest dared join them”.

History shows that as the early believers evolved into large established churches these churches too began to exercise an attitude of authority climaxing in the power of the Pope and the cardinal system. In the Middle Ages, if you were not appointment by church authorities to minister in a church, you had no authority to preach.

Some, such as John Bunyan, were put in prison for doing so.

When we look at the gospels we can find examples where it is made clear by Jesus that his followers will have to take up tasks. He also sent them out into the world, something which is too often forgotten today.

We read at the end of Mark’s Gospel, Jesus said,
 “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved …” (16:15,16).
That authority is given to everyone, so we all have the responsibility to share our faith.

Paul challenges us when he expresses this responsibility in the bluntest terms,
 “Woe is me if I do not preach the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:16).
- based on the Today's thought “Who gave you this authority?” (February 15) by the Christadelphian

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Nieuwe websites voor hen die op zoek zijn naar God en God willen vinden

Op 11 februari 2016 hebben de Belgische Christadelphians twee nieuwe Nederlandstalige websites geopend.

Met een Welkomstboodschap werden zij die zoeken naar antwoorden achter het ontstaan en doel van deze wereld en haar organismen welkom geheten op "Op zoek naar God".

In deze tijd zijn er misschien niet zo veel mensen geïnteresseerd in God, maar wij geloven er sterk in dat er toch nog steeds bij enkelen die behoefte heerst om meer te weten te komen over dit leven, het hoe, waarom en waarheen. 

Ook moeten wij beseffen dat ook al is de grote meerderheid van de mensheid meer geïnteresseerd in het zoeken van aardse dingen en het liefst diegenen die zoeken naar andere waarden, mee sleuren in hun materiële dromen . Mensen zijn uit op geld en streven de bezittingen en genoegens na die met geld te koop zijn. Of ze steken al hun energie in hun carrière. Hun levenswijze verraadt dat ze hoofdzakelijk met zichzelf, materiële dingen en genoegens bezig zijn. Als ze al in God geloven, dan komt hij in hun leven op de tweede plaats. (Mattheüs 6:31, 32).

Voor hen die God ernstig willen gaan zoeken voorzien de Belgische Christadelphians vanaf 11 februari 2016 "Op zoek naar God" met een beperkt aantal artikelen en doorverwijzingen naar onze meer uitgebreide sites.

Als eerst op het rijtje stonden artikelen als:
 

Als aanvulling of tegenpool komt na het zoeken het vinden, zou men kunnen zeggen. Aldus heeft de volgend site als tittel mee gekregen "God vinden"
Daar zijn de volgende eerste artikelen geplaatst:
  1. Vinden komt pas na goed zoeken
  2. De Schepper God wil gevonden worden
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Friday 12 February 2016

Mencap – 2015

English: Hungerford - Kennet And Avon Canal Go...
English: Hungerford - Kennet And Avon Canal Going under this bridge leads to Hungerford Wharf. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
During 2015, members of Newbury Christadelphians have continued to support
West Berkshire Mencap.

2015 as well as the last few years, has seen individuals involved in The Friendship
Group which meets every Wednesday, and Grow4all at Cottismore Garden Centre,
as well as bigger activities either held at the hall or supported by the Christadelphians.

The first of these activities in April was the 2nd successive Canal Trip in Hungerford,
organised by our late brother Phil Ashforth. The ‘Hungerford Rose’ was commandeered
for 2 ½ hours and 25 clients and their families were taken for a trip
along the Kennet and Avon Canal.

On the 16th May a Spring Fayre was held at the Christadelphian Hall in Lower Way,
Thatcham. This is an annual event, but this year, rather than raising funds for Mencap
– the Mencap organisers wanted to raise money for another worthwhile local
charity. It was decided in Friendship Group to raise money for Naomi Hospice. The
total amount raised was £690.00 - and Vodafone match funded to the value of
£350!

Sunday 5th July saw Mencap take part in Newbury Carnival, which was supported by
a member of the meeting, also acting as First Aider, and again, a First Aider and
support was provided by the meeting for their annual summer outing, in September,
to the Cotswolds Wildlife Park. ( even though I was there as a support – I
had a fantastic time!!)

The Mencap Fashion show on 27th October was supported by members of the meeting,
and both models and audience had an enjoyable time, as we did in December
at the Carol Service, again in the Christadelphian Hall. Unfortunately, due to other
events, not many from Mencap where able to attend, so our signer for the evening
was rather redundant!

The highlight for me was the annual Mencap Ball. Held at the Chequers Hotel in
Newbury at the end of November. It was for clients and their helpers, was a black
tie event, and was just magical!

To see the enjoyment that we can give, whether it be by our money, time or experience
is truly humbling, and God Willing, is something that we can continue to do.



- Jane Edwards

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Jehovah Witnessess Making sure all records relating to child molestation are in harmony

Kraków, Poland; Anti-paedophilia logo from the...
Kraków, Poland; Anti-paedophilia logo from the National Revival of Poland (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Religious organisations, as well as schools, colleges and other institutions, have been told by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse – led by Judge Lowell Goddard – to keep hold of any documents which could be useful to the investigation.

How much should agendas and minutes of eldersmeetings being available to outsiders? at many congregations personal notes may be taken at elders’ meetings.

Referring to the congregation file an edict distributed to Jehovah’s Witnesses congregations around the UK ordered the destruction of “all agendas and minutes of elders’ meetings (other than business meeting minutes)”, “all personal notes taken at elders’ meetings (except those based on discussions of outlines from ‘the faithful and discreet slave’ and that do not mention any particular individual)” and “any other personal records, notes, or correspondence that refer to particular individuals”.

Hearing about this ti is also very strange that is written

 “make sure all records relating to child molestation are in harmony”


Read more about a former church elder in South Wales who has claimed the church has gone against the request made by Judge Lowell Goddard:

Jehovah's Witnesses 'ordered destruction' of notes which could have been used during child sexual abuse inquiry

“Why, when an organisation says it abhors child abuse, would it go and destroy documents that can assist in bringing a child abuser to justice?


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