The International Christian Fellowship is in Bradwell-on-sea this weekend staying together at Othona Community, so you'll miss a few familiar faces if you are at worship with us on Sunday.
We'll meet at Abbeygate 2 at 10.30am for worship. Here's a link to Bing Maps showing the venue at 9 Whitewell Rd, CO2 7DE: http://binged.it/z8h3Vi
Carey Watson will introduce opportunities for sponsorship;
Nick Brooke will lead music and praise then Janie Beales will do a dramatic re-telling of the Palm Sunday story and a creative prayer activity. She will be speaking about the story with a focus on the "Scandalous Children!" who shouted out in the temple.
Children's activities will focus on the story, with a craft-making effort that should produce a whole herd of donkeys!
There will be an interview with Luke Moller and prayers to send him on mission, sailing with young people in France.
Coming up next week:
Wednesday 4th April
10am Family Easter Egg Hunt in Highwoods
Friday 6th April
12.00 Walk of Witness in Colchester Town Centre
Sunday 8th April
10.30am Easter Morning Worship and Baptism of Gideon Parker.
5pm Baptisms at St Stephen's, Canterbury Road.
Monday 9th April
10.30am Walk the Wivenhoe Trail - We will meet at 10.30am at the entrance to Castle Park at the foot of East Street by the bridge that crosses the river.
30 March, 2012
23 March, 2012
Sunday 25th March
We will meet at Abbeygate Two this Sunday at 10.30am for celebration worship and lunch together.
Here's a link to Bing Maps showing the venue at 9 Whitewell Rd, CO2 7DE: http://binged.it/z8h3Vi
There is a very limited number of parking spaces which will be for the minibus, the disabled and those bringing in gear, so you are encouraged to find parking nearby. Vineyard Street is 50p- but it gets filled early. Priory St is 50p and still a fairly short walk! Other car parks on St John's St are more expensive. Here's a website with info: http://en.parkopedia.co.uk/parking/colchester/
Worship this week will have a celebration feel with drums, bass, guitar, keyboard and vocalists leading our praises before we turn to prayer, focusing on the work of the various mission units, some of which are entering a new phase with new offices in Abbeygate. The reading of the scriptures- Luke 4, 16-20 and Isaiah 37, 30-31- will remind us of our story together so far and the talk aims to help us discern God's call for the next phase. Check http://davidbeales.livejournal.com/ for a preview.
Afterwards we can stay as long as we like to share lunch together! There are two microwaves to warm food if you need to, but cold food will be especially appreciated! If we can share our food around and have a little bit extra to share with some folks who won't manage to bring anything, that would be wonderful.
Here's a link to Bing Maps showing the venue at 9 Whitewell Rd, CO2 7DE: http://binged.it/z8h3Vi
There is a very limited number of parking spaces which will be for the minibus, the disabled and those bringing in gear, so you are encouraged to find parking nearby. Vineyard Street is 50p- but it gets filled early. Priory St is 50p and still a fairly short walk! Other car parks on St John's St are more expensive. Here's a website with info: http://en.parkopedia.co.uk/parking/colchester/
Worship this week will have a celebration feel with drums, bass, guitar, keyboard and vocalists leading our praises before we turn to prayer, focusing on the work of the various mission units, some of which are entering a new phase with new offices in Abbeygate. The reading of the scriptures- Luke 4, 16-20 and Isaiah 37, 30-31- will remind us of our story together so far and the talk aims to help us discern God's call for the next phase. Check http://davidbeales.livejournal.com/ for a preview.
Afterwards we can stay as long as we like to share lunch together! There are two microwaves to warm food if you need to, but cold food will be especially appreciated! If we can share our food around and have a little bit extra to share with some folks who won't manage to bring anything, that would be wonderful.
17 March, 2012
Sunday 18th March
We will meet at Abbeygate Two this Sunday at 10.30am for the first time.
Here's a link to Bing Maps showing the venue at 9 Whitewell Rd, CO2 7DE: http://binged.it/z8h3Vi
There is a very limited number of parking spaces which will be for the minibus, the disabled and those bringing in gear, so you are encouraged to find parking nearby. Vineyard Street is 50p- but it gets filled early. Priory St is 50p and still a fairly short walk! Other car parks on St John's St are more expensive. Here's a website with info: http://en.parkopedia.co.uk/parking/colchester/
Our worship will include songs, prayers and communion, followed by an open discussion chaired by Carey Watson about how we can use Abbeygate Two to serve the purposes for which God has called us together. We know that some will need to get away for Mother's day lunch, so we intend to end by 12.00pm.
.....some events coming up for the diary.....
Sunday 25th March
Celebration worship event followed by shared (cold!) lunch in Abbeygate.
Friday 30th March- Sunday 1st April
International Christian Fellowship weekend at Bradwell-on-sea
Sunday 1st April
Palm Sunday Creative Worship at Abbeygate.
Wednesday 4th April
Family Easter Egg Hunt in Highwoods
Friday 6th April
12.00 Walk of Witness in Colchester Town Centre
Sunday 8th April
Easter Morning Worship. Also Baptisms in the sfternoon.
Monday 9th April
Walk the Wivenhoe Trail
Here's a link to Bing Maps showing the venue at 9 Whitewell Rd, CO2 7DE: http://binged.it/z8h3Vi
There is a very limited number of parking spaces which will be for the minibus, the disabled and those bringing in gear, so you are encouraged to find parking nearby. Vineyard Street is 50p- but it gets filled early. Priory St is 50p and still a fairly short walk! Other car parks on St John's St are more expensive. Here's a website with info: http://en.parkopedia.co.uk/parking/colchester/
Our worship will include songs, prayers and communion, followed by an open discussion chaired by Carey Watson about how we can use Abbeygate Two to serve the purposes for which God has called us together. We know that some will need to get away for Mother's day lunch, so we intend to end by 12.00pm.
.....some events coming up for the diary.....
Sunday 25th March
Celebration worship event followed by shared (cold!) lunch in Abbeygate.
Friday 30th March- Sunday 1st April
International Christian Fellowship weekend at Bradwell-on-sea
Sunday 1st April
Palm Sunday Creative Worship at Abbeygate.
Wednesday 4th April
Family Easter Egg Hunt in Highwoods
Friday 6th April
12.00 Walk of Witness in Colchester Town Centre
Sunday 8th April
Easter Morning Worship. Also Baptisms in the sfternoon.
Monday 9th April
Walk the Wivenhoe Trail
11 March, 2012
Moving into Abbeygate
Plenty of things to do to get Abbeygate established over the next few days and weeks! Cleaning, moving furniture and working out timetables for activities are all on the agenda.
DNA Networks, Go For Enterprises and Fresh Beginnings Migrant Resource Centre will all be sharing the property, expressing distinct ministries with a united purpose and common values.
DNA Networks, Go For Enterprises and Fresh Beginnings Migrant Resource Centre will all be sharing the property, expressing distinct ministries with a united purpose and common values.
03 March, 2012
Sunday March 11th
We will be worshipping at Colchester Arts Centre on Sunday March 11th, at 10.30am. Although we have the keys to Abbeygate and the licence has formally begun, the power will not be switched on for a while- we hope this week that everything will be powered up.
The theme will follow on from last week, focussing on Jesus' call to his apprentices; this time John Orchard will speak on a Balanced Spiritual Life.
The theme will follow on from last week, focussing on Jesus' call to his apprentices; this time John Orchard will speak on a Balanced Spiritual Life.
24 February, 2012
Sunday 26th February
This Sunday, February 26th, we meet (maybe for the last time?) at Colchester Arts Centre, 10.30am.
We'll start with some Gospel songs and then have a video-based discussion around Jesus' 40 days in the wilderness. We'll read Mark 1, 9-15 and seek to apply Jesus' experiences to our own.
NB Parents - Although no monthly Messy Church is being currently scheduled, primary aged children will have a special session prepared for them on the stage with story and activities based around the Children of Israel's journey through the wilderness towards the promised land.
News flash: DNA now has a set of keys for Abbeygate! There is quite a bit to sort out over the coming week in terms of cleaning, getting electricity and water reconnected and moving furniture - but if things move according to plan we should be meeting at Abbeygate the following Sunday, March 4th.
On conclusion of our worship this Sunday, we'll pack up quickly and then those who are able are invited to walk down together to Abbeygate at have a look inside!
International Christian Fellowship meets at 18 Hereford Drive 12.30-2.30pm- quality food, songs, Bible teaching and discussion. Call Enoch Kunarajah 07969210284
Barn Church meets 5.30-7.30pm at Assington for the third week of Youth Alpha and Becca Neill will be presenting Why did Jesus die?
Meet at Matalan 5.00pm. Call Isaac Lasky 07429553244 or Sydni Brooke 07572884960
We'll start with some Gospel songs and then have a video-based discussion around Jesus' 40 days in the wilderness. We'll read Mark 1, 9-15 and seek to apply Jesus' experiences to our own.
NB Parents - Although no monthly Messy Church is being currently scheduled, primary aged children will have a special session prepared for them on the stage with story and activities based around the Children of Israel's journey through the wilderness towards the promised land.
News flash: DNA now has a set of keys for Abbeygate! There is quite a bit to sort out over the coming week in terms of cleaning, getting electricity and water reconnected and moving furniture - but if things move according to plan we should be meeting at Abbeygate the following Sunday, March 4th.
On conclusion of our worship this Sunday, we'll pack up quickly and then those who are able are invited to walk down together to Abbeygate at have a look inside!
International Christian Fellowship meets at 18 Hereford Drive 12.30-2.30pm- quality food, songs, Bible teaching and discussion. Call Enoch Kunarajah 07969210284
Barn Church meets 5.30-7.30pm at Assington for the third week of Youth Alpha and Becca Neill will be presenting Why did Jesus die?
Meet at Matalan 5.00pm. Call Isaac Lasky 07429553244 or Sydni Brooke 07572884960
16 February, 2012
Sunday 19th February
Sunday 19th February
As many of you are aware the contract for Abbeygate is currently being amended (one detail only) so this coming Sunday's worship event will be held at the Colchester Arts Centre at 10.30am as normal. (The amendment is advised by our solicitor to guard us from being stung by dilapidation costs at the conclusion of the license.)
With the focus on prayer there will be time to seek God together, share bread and wine during Communion and prepare for our ongoing life together. Naomi leads us in a time of opening worship and Janie brings an interactive message on the theme of prayer and faith. Read Luke 11, 1-13 and Mark 4, 26-29.
As there is no session on the stage this week for primary aged children, quiet activities (puzzles/colouring etc) will be available for children to do at their parents' table.
Barn Church
Youth Alpha continues 5.30-7.30pm across at Assington; David Lasky will be speaking on Who is Jesus?
Meet at Matalan at 5.00pm for transport.
Please pray for each of our young people as they seek to introduce their friends to a living relationship with Jesus.
As many of you are aware the contract for Abbeygate is currently being amended (one detail only) so this coming Sunday's worship event will be held at the Colchester Arts Centre at 10.30am as normal. (The amendment is advised by our solicitor to guard us from being stung by dilapidation costs at the conclusion of the license.)
With the focus on prayer there will be time to seek God together, share bread and wine during Communion and prepare for our ongoing life together. Naomi leads us in a time of opening worship and Janie brings an interactive message on the theme of prayer and faith. Read Luke 11, 1-13 and Mark 4, 26-29.
As there is no session on the stage this week for primary aged children, quiet activities (puzzles/colouring etc) will be available for children to do at their parents' table.
Barn Church
Youth Alpha continues 5.30-7.30pm across at Assington; David Lasky will be speaking on Who is Jesus?
Meet at Matalan at 5.00pm for transport.
Please pray for each of our young people as they seek to introduce their friends to a living relationship with Jesus.
09 February, 2012
Sunday 12th February
This Sunday, Feb 12th, might be the last in the Arts Centre for a while as the Licence for Abbeygate has now been written and we are getting ready to sign!
Be at the Arts Centre at 10.30am for DNA worship, where Janie, Nick, Sifa and Ida will introduce music and Patrick Ramazani will challenge us with a message in response to his reading of Haggai. Naomi will lead children's activities. We expect to be built up and strengthened as we engage with God's Word.
Be at the Arts Centre at 10.30am for DNA worship, where Janie, Nick, Sifa and Ida will introduce music and Patrick Ramazani will challenge us with a message in response to his reading of Haggai. Naomi will lead children's activities. We expect to be built up and strengthened as we engage with God's Word.
Congratulations to those who made it through the snow last week to the Arts Centre; some of the people in the minibus had a wild time pushing the vehicle out of the service station at Tesco!! Others found plenty of snow outside the Arts Centre to throw snowballs at one another.
27 January, 2012
Sunday 29th January
This Sunday, DNA will meet in the Colchester Arts Centre at 10.30 am. Naomi Snelling will lead songs; following prayer will be the final readings and talk in the series on Rebuilding the Temple, while the children go on the stage to do some creative activities. Check out Ezra chapters 1-6 for a sneak preview!
The International Christian Fellowship will be gathering to hear the story and the songs of Henry Olonga, the Zimbabwean former international cricketer, who famously wore a black armband to symbolise the death of democracy in Zimbabwe. They'll be feasting on an American lunch afterwards while they discuss Henry Olonga's presentation. Call Enoch for info 07969 210284.
Barn Church will be meeting at Matalan at 5.00pm to go to Assington for their usual gathering; the group is preparing to launch Youth Alpha in a few weeks.
On Tuesday evening, 31st January, at 8-9pm, there will be a special prayer gathering about the move to Abbeygate 2, hosted at the Watsons home. Please come along - all are welcome. If you are unable to come, why not set your alarm for 8pm and offer an "arrow prayer" to God? Call Carey on 07809270857 for info and directions.
Wednesday morning 10am will continue with weekly prayer at 52 Wellesley Rd for all DNA mission, people and needs. All are welcome.
The International Christian Fellowship will be gathering to hear the story and the songs of Henry Olonga, the Zimbabwean former international cricketer, who famously wore a black armband to symbolise the death of democracy in Zimbabwe. They'll be feasting on an American lunch afterwards while they discuss Henry Olonga's presentation. Call Enoch for info 07969 210284.
Barn Church will be meeting at Matalan at 5.00pm to go to Assington for their usual gathering; the group is preparing to launch Youth Alpha in a few weeks.
On Tuesday evening, 31st January, at 8-9pm, there will be a special prayer gathering about the move to Abbeygate 2, hosted at the Watsons home. Please come along - all are welcome. If you are unable to come, why not set your alarm for 8pm and offer an "arrow prayer" to God? Call Carey on 07809270857 for info and directions.
Wednesday morning 10am will continue with weekly prayer at 52 Wellesley Rd for all DNA mission, people and needs. All are welcome.
19 January, 2012
Venue Change Sunday 22nd January
The Arts Centre called on Wednesday night to announce that the winter beer festival was about to start today and that the Arts Centre would not be available this Sunday. This was contrary to our earlier advice that the beer festival was on next week!
So........... we have booked the Celtic Rose Centre on the corner of Guildford Road/East Hill for this Sunday, 22nd January, at 10.30am. (Set up team please arrive for 9.30am; leaving time 12.30pm). There are plenty of chairs and a space upstairs for children's activities.
This venue is well known to the families who come to Messy Church and we are very grateful that it is available at such short notice. Parking is not easy on Guildford Road, but you will usually find spaces in the roads off to the left.
It is the week of prayer for Christian unity and our visiting speaker is David House who leads the Salvation Army citadel on Butt Road- yes the same David House who has recently offered us 100 sturdy chairs for use in Abbeygate- so please treat David with great kindness, warmth and friendship! He will be speaking on Luke 9, 1-17- a fantastic message for DNA at this moment about Jesus sending out the 12 on mission and miraculously providing resources to feed the multitudes.
David Beales will be up the hill at St James the Great, doing his best to condense a sermon into the requested 10 minutes!
We know that this frequent change of venue is causing disruption and sincerely hope that we will soon be settled for a while at Abbeygate 2. We await the delivery of the License with eager anticipation. Please keep on praying that God's Spirit will lead us to the places of his choosing and will keep our eyes fixed on Jesus in the meantime.
Janie and Dave
So........... we have booked the Celtic Rose Centre on the corner of Guildford Road/East Hill for this Sunday, 22nd January, at 10.30am. (Set up team please arrive for 9.30am; leaving time 12.30pm). There are plenty of chairs and a space upstairs for children's activities.
This venue is well known to the families who come to Messy Church and we are very grateful that it is available at such short notice. Parking is not easy on Guildford Road, but you will usually find spaces in the roads off to the left.
It is the week of prayer for Christian unity and our visiting speaker is David House who leads the Salvation Army citadel on Butt Road- yes the same David House who has recently offered us 100 sturdy chairs for use in Abbeygate- so please treat David with great kindness, warmth and friendship! He will be speaking on Luke 9, 1-17- a fantastic message for DNA at this moment about Jesus sending out the 12 on mission and miraculously providing resources to feed the multitudes.
David Beales will be up the hill at St James the Great, doing his best to condense a sermon into the requested 10 minutes!
We know that this frequent change of venue is causing disruption and sincerely hope that we will soon be settled for a while at Abbeygate 2. We await the delivery of the License with eager anticipation. Please keep on praying that God's Spirit will lead us to the places of his choosing and will keep our eyes fixed on Jesus in the meantime.
Janie and Dave
12 January, 2012
Sunday 15th January
This Sunday worship is at Colchester Arts Centre at 10.30am. The theme is based around Haggai chapter 2, continuing to apply the idea of "Rebuilding the Temple" to our circumstances
31 December, 2011
Sunday January 8th
This Sunday's worship will be at 10.30am at Colchester Arts Centre.
The theme will be build on last week's Treasures of Darkness, looking at Haggai 1.
Barn Church will be on in the evening. Meet at Matalan 5pm.
Happy New Year!
The theme will be build on last week's Treasures of Darkness, looking at Haggai 1.
Barn Church will be on in the evening. Meet at Matalan 5pm.
Happy New Year!
25 December, 2011
23 December, 2011
Christmas Day: 10am (note the time!!)
Please join us for Christmas Day worship at 10am, Colchester Arts Centre.
Worship will include:
Creativity- video, graphics, poetry and photography
Space- for personal reflection and prayer
Christmas songs - old and original
Interactive Bible reading- from Matthew 1, 1-16 (go on, look it up and see if you can get to the end without falling asleep!)
Holy Communion
It should last an hour in length.
17 December, 2011
Dave's blog- Seven O's of Advent
For the next week, Dave will be posting some Advent reflections on his blog at http://davidbeales.livejournal.com/
From early in the Christian era, Benedictine monks focussed their pre-Christmas meditations on 7 titles for the Messiah from the Old Testament.
Each day for a week before Christmas Eve, they looked at one title and prepared their hearts for the coming of Christ by addressing songs to Christ using the titles as names... “O, Wisdom, O, Lord etc.”
This year, rather than write blogs on the 12 days of Christmas, as I have done over a couple of years, I’m going to attempt a bit of benedictine-style reflection on “Who is this baby?” over the next week.
The photo here is "solitude on a sandbar". Lots of revelation happens when we open our souls to the possibility of silence and solitude.
In case you’d prefer to do your own reflections rather than read mine, here are the themes for the week-
Dec 17th Wisdom
Dec 18th Lord
Dec 19th Root of Jesse
Dec 20th Key of David
Dec 21st Dayspring
Dec 22nd King of the Nations
Dec 23rd God is with us
14 December, 2011
Christmas Festivities!
Over the next week a bunch of different groups are gathering to share food, faith and fun in the lead-up to Christmas!Look out for Jessica McCarty who arrives in UK on Friday 16th December to serve with the UWM team. Please make her feel welcome; she'll be around for a few days before heading north for Christmas with friends and will start work in the new year.
Saturday 17th December, 5.30 pm at 34 St Augustine Mews, International Christian Fellowship will meet together for Christmas celebration with African food and a film called Flywheel. Call Enoch Kunarajah 07969210284
Sunday 18th December, 3.00-4.00pm Carol Service at Trinity/CO1, Trinity St. Having rung the council today, they have confirmed that Culver St West will be closed to traffic from 10.30am-4pm this Sunday, so please don't attempt to drive down to Trinity St just before 3pm. Do invite friends and family; there will be a band leading carols, drumming and drama, international music, video clips from 2010's BBC Nativity- all in an attempt to tell the Christmas story in a way to engage people who don't know it well. Please bring some mince pies or other nibbles to share; the young people from Barn Church will help to serve the food at the end. Call Janie or Dave Beales 01206 530934
Monday 19th December, 2.00-5.00pm, Barn Church Christmas Swim at Peyton Hall. Meet for a lift at the Lower Castle Park Gates near the boating pool, at the end of St Peter's St. Contact Isaac Lasky 07715357624
Tuesday 20th December, 2.00-4.00pm, Children's Christmas party at Celtic Rose Centre, Guildford Road. Call Emily Collins 07928969449.
Christmas Day 25th December, Christmas Communion, 10 -11am at the Arts Centre.Our Christmas donations this year will go to Beacon House centre for the homeless. You will find information about what is required below. DNA is growing a close relationship with Beacon House as we seek to serve some of the needs of homeless people in the area. Feel free to bring donations over the next three weeks leading up to New Year.
Below is a list of our current needs. If you can help
please bring along to DNA or contact Beacon House.
MEN'S JOGGING BOTTOMS, MEN'S TRAINERS
SIZES 8 - 12,
DETTOL ANTI-BACTERIAL SPRAY URGENTLY
REQUIRED
Desperate
Men's Boxers Small and Medium Size
Men's Shoes sizes 8 - 12
Men's T Shirts
Men's belts sizes 30 - 36"
Ladies knickers sizes 10 and 12
Ladies T Shirts/Tops
Men's socks
Kitchen Roll
Need
Shampoo
Men's Spray Deodorant
Ladies shoes/trainers sizes 7 - 9
Toilet Rolls
Cup a soup
Dessert plastic spoons
Travel size toiletries (not soap please!)
CHRISTMAS APPEAL
We would be grateful for boxer shorts (small/medium),
socks and chocolate to be given as presents to our
clients. For some of them it will be the only presents
that they will have - and we would be very grateful if
they could be wrapped as well!
90 - 91 East Hill, Colchester, CO1 2QN
01206 761960
Web:www.beaconhouseministries.org.uk
09 December, 2011
We gather for Worship event this Sunday, 11th December, at Colchester Arts Centre, 10.30am.
After learning an unfamiliar song, there will be a brief video introduction to Advent, then community prayer inspired by a "What would Jesus do?" banner photographed outside St Paul's Cathedral last week.
Holy Communion will follow and further worship music.
John Claydon will be speaking about a vision for the Body of Christ, taken from Ephesians 4, 11-16.
There will be time to respond prayerfully before a final song.
Advance notice:The Arts Centre is unavailable again on December 18th. Because of this, the DNA Carol event will take place at 3pm on Sun 18th Dec at Trinity Church, CO1 cafe on Trinity Street.
Our Christmas donations this year will go to Beacon House centre for the homeless. You will find information about what is required below. DNA is growing a close relationship with Beacon House as we seek to serve some of the needs of homeless people in the area. Feel free to bring donations over the next three weeks leading up to New Year.
Many thanks,
David and Janie
After learning an unfamiliar song, there will be a brief video introduction to Advent, then community prayer inspired by a "What would Jesus do?" banner photographed outside St Paul's Cathedral last week.
Holy Communion will follow and further worship music.
John Claydon will be speaking about a vision for the Body of Christ, taken from Ephesians 4, 11-16.
There will be time to respond prayerfully before a final song.
Advance notice:The Arts Centre is unavailable again on December 18th. Because of this, the DNA Carol event will take place at 3pm on Sun 18th Dec at Trinity Church, CO1 cafe on Trinity Street.
Our Christmas donations this year will go to Beacon House centre for the homeless. You will find information about what is required below. DNA is growing a close relationship with Beacon House as we seek to serve some of the needs of homeless people in the area. Feel free to bring donations over the next three weeks leading up to New Year.
Many thanks,
David and Janie
01 December, 2011
Sunday 4th December
This Sunday, 4th December, DNA will host students from Essex University at the 10.30am worship event in the Colchester Arts Centre, which will include a shared lunch.
John Orchard will be overseeing the worship
Viv Critchley has been masterminding the menus
Naomi Snelling will be leading music
Isaac Lasky will be sharing a message about God's Comfort from 2 Corinthians 1
Enoch Kunarajah is managing the transport- if you can help please call him on 07969210284
Look forward to seeing you then!
