A New Face in the Pulpit!

In recent months Karen Johnson and her husband have started worshipping regularly at St Paul’s. Karen has already been licensed as a Reader when she was in her previous parish. We are hoping that Karen will be able to continue her ministry in St Paul’s, and Sunday 22 October was her first sermon, here. However, before preaching she was interviewed by Colin Chettle and she told us of her life (she is a teacher) and her development in faith.

She also talked to the children before they went out to Supertroopers (the Sunday school). She dressed up one of the young people with multiple baggages and used other people to make a gateway (the eye of the needle). She showed how all these encumbrances (“things”) could stop one passing through. This was also true as one approached Christ – things will get in the way   

At the end of the month we reach the 500^th anniversary of Martin Luther proclaiming his ninety-five theses. Karen spoke to us from the book of Romans highlighting his teaching, on the way that salvation is a gift of God, that we cannot earn – but just have to be willing to accept by faith.

We look forward to Karen continuing her ministry among us.

The African International Christian Ministry

The African International Christian Ministry is a government recognised Ugandan NGO, working in the south-west of the country. The Friends of African International Christian Ministry is a UK charity which supports their work financially. It has been one of the charities that St Paul’s supports, and now St Peter’s Oadby is supporting it as well.

The inaccessible forests of south-west Uganda have some of its poorer citizens. In particular, there is a very high percentage of the pygmy people, known as Batwa. The Batwa are a despised group and are often excluded from society.  AICM provides support, training, schools (where there are none), feeding of schoolchildren (who are often undernourished) and Christian ministry.

A link here links to an article by the Archbishop of York which gives the background of the work in greater detail.

 

Last Sunday (15 October) we were joined by the congregation of St Peter’s. We were visited by Colin and Sue Townsend who are AICM supporters. Colin had just returned from a visit to the AICM work in Uganda and was still jetlagged. Sue explained the situation in the area and showed photos and videos of the work. For those of us used to the facilities we have in England, it was quite an enlightenment. But the scenery was magnificent!

There is more about the work with Batwa here.

We look forward to continuing to support this work and deepening the links with it.

 

Principal Services — October - December

Dear Friends,

The busy autumn term moves through the themes of Celebration and Remembering. We have just celebrated Harvest and now we celebrate the Baptism of Samuel & Joel. We think of all the good things God has given us and how we can respond to His generosity as we give our harvest gifts, fill shoeboxes, review our financial giving and give gifts to those in need this Christmastime.
Towards the end of October we will be marking the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. Lou will be remembering her trip to Tanzania and sharing with us some of her reflections. We then come to Remembrance Sunday and we pause to remember those who gave their life. As Christmas approaches we come again to the familiar story of Christ's birth and remember that He is Emmanuel — God with us and we celebrate this amazing truth.

Yours In Christ,

Steve Bailey.
Link to services

http://stpaulsoadby.blogspot.co.uk/p/current-sunday-programme.html

Youth Weekend Away

Lou writes..."We had a great weekend, taking 17 teenagers away for a chance to stop, relax, have fun and explore more about how God loves them, adopts them, walks with them, would give everything for them and gives them a hope for the future. It's great that several want to explore baptism and confirmation, its great that they felt so at home, it was great to see them look after one another and great to see them have some well deserved rest and realise they are precious to God before they do or prove anything. Bring on next year!
If you're missing it already - we have the reunion next Sunday evening with pizza pictures and games to reminisce about the weekend. This Sunday, 6:30-7:45 in the Barnabas Centre "