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05 May, 2012

Activities coming up during the week

Monday May 7th: The Wivenhoe Walk, meet at East St Bridge (by Siege House) 10.30am for a walk along the Wivenhoe trail. After lunch in Wivenhoe (byo or visit local hostelry) walk back to town or take the train.

Wednesday May 9th: DNA cricket match, 6pm at Essex University v West Mersea. If the rain stops the T20 season begins! (& don't forget practice at 4.30pm on Fridays).

Saturday 12th May: History Maker Film Quiz Night 7pm at Abbeygate Two. For information about the History Maker chairity, see http://historymakerfoundation.co.uk/History_Maker_Foundation/Welcome.html

Sunday 6th May

DNA worship at 10.30am, Abbeygate Two, 9 Whitewell Rd, Colchester, CO2 7DE. Including... Refreshments; Music led by Janie Beales with African singers; Prayers led by Redina Kolaneci; Children's activity led by Mamie Ramazani; Reading Acts 8, 26-40 and talk on "Philip's Bump" by Nick Brooke; Interview with John and Kerry Clayton. Barn Church will be at 5pm at Abbeygate Two. Coming up on May 20th- Shared Lunch and AGM.

01 May, 2012


International Christian Fellowship - April 2012

26 April, 2012

April 29th

Sunday 29th 10.30am Abbeygate Two.
Theme: "Prayer for Boldness" Acts 4:13-35
Speaker: Alex Parker
Worship leader/co-ordinator: John Orchard
Children's activity: Emily Collins

International Christian Fellowship
12.30-2.30pm: Kunarajah's home, 18 Hereford Drive, Colchester
Persian food, testimonies, African/English songs, Bible and prayer
contact Enoch: 07969210284


NB no Barn Church this week - resumes next week

20 April, 2012

This Sunday, April 22nd, we will meet for worship with Communion at 10.30am at Abbeygate Two, 9 Whitewell Rd, Colchester, CO2 7DE. Best parking is in Vineyard St at 50p only (but get there early!). Priory St is also 50p and just a 5 minute walk.

Enoch Kunarajah will be speaking on Acts 4, 1-12 continuing a series on Acts over the period from Easter to Pentecost. Young people are helping the set up and preparing the music; there will be space for open mic prayer and we'll find out from Luke Moller what happened on the Pathfinders sailing camp.

12 April, 2012

Sunday 15th April

This Sunday we will meet for worship at 10.30am at Abbeygate Two, 9 Whitewell Rd, Colchester, CO2 7DE. Best parking is in Vineyard St at 50p only(but get there early!). Priory St is also 50p and just a 5 minute walk.
Enoch Kunarajah will co-ordinate the worship, Naomi Snelling will lead music and we will have opportunity to pray for Sandra Butcher's forthcoming run in the London Marathon. Isaac Lasky will be speaking on Acts 3, highlighting Peter's transformation from pre-resurrection wimp to post-resurrection history-maker. This will introduce a series on Acts over the next 7 weeks.

05 April, 2012

Good Friday and Easter Sunday

Good Friday's Walk of Witness begins at 12.00pm at the Salvation Army on Butt Road. The walk will follow the Salvation Army Band who will play for some of the route and then lead in silence.The walk will conclude at the Castle gates with a short act of devotion, to be addressed by Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Chelmsford.

It is always a moving experience to be among the group of walkers marking Good Friday at exactly the time when Jesus went to the cross.

In the evening there is a combined service at the Mercury Theatre beginning at 7.30pm. This is a free event, but an offering will be taken up at the end.

Easter is traditionally the season for new baptisms and renewal of Baptism promises and this Easter Sunday will feature a bunch of Baptisms!

In the morning at 10.30am at Abbeygate Two, Gideon Parker will be baptised as part of the Easter Worship. This will be a Communion Service with a reflection on John 20, 1-18, together with Romans 8, 11 and 1 Corinthians 15, 20. Amanda Parker will be explaining why she and Alex are bringing Gideon to baptism as a child- this will be interesting, as she used to think baptism was only for adults! We know that our community embraces different views about baptism; whatever your views, someone else will think differently, but we have all respected one another's take on this matter. Some of the Barn Church young people have been busy practising some music to lead off the worship and some actors are warming up so that the Apostle Peter and Mary Magdalene make an appearance.

Later on at 5pm, Mandy, David, Sheri, Betty, Glory and Isaac will be baptised in the pool at St Stephen's Church, Canterbury Road, Colchester. They will each make promises of commitment to Jesus and will explain why they are choosing to be baptised before heading into the pool. Guaranteed to be interesting and moving stories! Once they have dried off, we will have opportunity to pray for each person and to bring scriptures, prophecies and words of encouragement to them. Please be in prayer already to listen out for words to share. The church will be open from 4.30pm.

30 March, 2012

Palm Sunday April 1st

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.

24 March, 2012



DNA Service on 18/03/12


Football Church - 24/03/12


Nick at work

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.

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

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.

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.

28 February, 2012








International Fellowship - March 2012

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

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.

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.

Barn Church Youth Alpha starts this Sunday!!!!! The young people are buzzing. We will be meeting at matalan at 17:00 and returning home the normal time. We will be playing a game outside in the woods so bring warm clothes and good suitable shoes. David Lasky will be sharing a small talk and then we will have small group discussions followed by food.

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.

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

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