There are some great "DNA teams" starting up all over the place at various times with various groups of people. People gathering to support one another and find out what God wants to reveal through his Word, and putting it into action.
In short...
D is for Divine Truth
N is for Nurtuing Relationships
A is for Apostolic Mission
We are encouraging everyone to participate, so if you need more information, do email back or ask. Don't be shy!!and news on courses about to start......1)
Celtic ChristianityConsidering the influence of Celtic Christianity for our time on Sunday evenings, 23rd September – 7th October, St Martin’s Church, West Stockwell Street, Colchester
6-6.45pm Looking at how the Celtic saints are inspiring present day spiritual seekers.
6.45-7pm Hot choc etc.
7-8 pm Sacred Space: An opportunity to reflect and enjoy the space in silence. We end the evening with read prayers.
Both sessions stand alone so feel free to join us as you like.
2)
DEEP STUFF!! Saturday nightWould you enjoy the chance to explore some current spiritual issues in a little more depth?
We are going to meet on a series of four Saturday evenings (at 7:30 on 29th September and 6th, 13th and 20th October) for some engaging, wide-ranging and fun discussions.
Our aim is to open up some key topics by meeting up (with some food and drink) to listen to an opening presentation and then having some discussions and questions. Our thinking (subject to change) is that we will explore the following issues:
1. How has our society changed over the centuries, what are the dominant philosophies in our society and how do they affect our own thinking?
2. What happens when politics and religion get close to each other, from the Roman empire to right wing politics in America?
3. Are science and faith (as suggested by Dawkins and others) incompatible? How should we view the Genesis accounts of creation?
4. How should we then live? From the monastic to the materialistic?
Our intention is that we listen carefully to each other in a humble and open spirit. Our inspiration for this is from James 3.17 which says
‘But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.’Please let Simon Musgrave (579864) or David and Janie Beales (530934) know if you are interested in coming.
3)
This Sunday September 23rd, come early to the Arts Centre at 10am for BACON SANDWICHES and the DNA CONKER CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!The theme this Sunday is SERVE AN ACE!, taken from Matthew 12, where Jesus is identified as The Servant prophesied by Isaiah
Be early in the evening at St Martin's, 6.00pm, where Catherine Musgrave kicks off the series on Celtic Christianity. Hot chocolate at 6.45, then Sacred Space.
4)
The Marriage Course begins at Plume Avenue URC on Tuesdays for the next 8 weeks or so. Call Paul and Karen for details: 01206 791986
5)
The Marriage Preparation Course begins on Friday 12th October- 5 sessions to prepare couples for marriage. Call Paul and Karen for details: 01206 791986
6)
The Alpha Course begins in early October. Call Paul and Karen for details: 01206 791986
7)
Colchester Street Pastors InitiativeThe Colchester Street Pastors Initiative gets underway this autumn with an evening of prayer and the start of the training programme. We are still working towards having an official launch event in mid December so that teams can be out on the street in the run up to Christmas. The application process for people who want to be Street Pastors will begin soon. Over 40 people have already expressed an interest and others are welcome to apply. Forms will be available at the evening of prayer on 21st September or you can get in touch and we’ll send you one. One important part of the preparation for being a Street Pastor is to spend at least one evening out with the Friday night street prayer teams. The main aim is to pray rather than chatting to lots of people but the experience will be really valuable to anyone who wants to be a Street Pastor. Dates Friday 21st September 8pm - 10pm at St. Botolph's Church An evening of prayer for our town and for the Street Pastors project. Friday October 5th Friday October 19th Friday November 2nd Friday November 16th 8pm - 10pm Street Pastors Training at St. Botolph's Church.
We have yet to finalise the content of these training evenings but please put these dates in your diary. We will confirm the details soon. Saturday 17th November 10am - 4pm. Mt. Zion Salvation Army, Ipswich Road Street Pastors training, "Roles and responsibilities" with Les Isaac (founder of Street Pastors) from Ascension Trust Saturday 8th December 10am - 4pm. Mt. Zion Salvation Army, Ipswich Road Street Pastors training, "The Good News" with Simon Thomas from Ascension Trust Street Pastors are people from local churches who have been trained to care for, listen to and help people in town at night - the Church on the streets, demonstrating God's unconditional love. Street Pastors is just one aspect of the mission of the Church in Colchester - a practical demonstration of the good news reaching people where they are. Street Pastors, Colchester, management group James Collitt, Revd. Alison Finch, Jim Howard, Katy Smith, Tim Abbott (Until we have finalised a Colchester Street Pastors email address please contact Tim Abbott at CYO for more information or to register interest tim@cyocolchester.org.uk)
www.streetpastors.org.uk
