Jakin

This month, the St Paul's charity is Jakin. On its website, Jakin describes its work to potential clients as follows:

Jakin, Pregnancy Care and Counselling is a local charity (reg no. 1099342) run by Christians.  We opened in 2001 in The Kings Centre, Wigston and now also operate out of other community centres who have invited us in. 

• Ø  We aim to offer a safe place to talk freely & confidentially, whatever your circumstances, race, age, sex, beliefs, culture, or background. Partners or family members are welcome. 
• Ø  We want to provide a service that anyone can access and so we do not charge for our counselling, although donations are always welcome : (link)   
• Ø   Trained counsellors or support workers will listen and offer emotional support - without judging or imposing their own views.
• Ø   Information will be given on all the options and the support that is available for each - including the contact details of medical centres if a client, who has chosen termination of pregnancy, does not want to go to her own doctor for referral.
• Ø  All our counsellors and support workers have been specifically trained in Pregnancy Choices and our long-term counsellors and support workers are specifically trained for Pregnancy Loss. The counsellors also hold diplomas in person-centred counselling.
• Ø   All our counsellors are DBS checked and receive ongoing training and supervision to ensure good practice.
• Ø   Our team work in accordance with the code of ethics of BACP (British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy) & ACC (Association of Christian Counsellors).

We wish Jakin God’s every blessing in this important work.

Jakin website

Reporting the Action!

Becka, one of our young people, who finished university last June has spent the last six months in Mozambique with one of the Baptist Mission Society (BMS) Action Teams. Becka joined three gap year students, Rachel, Steve and Ben. Together, after initial training, they helped in the Kedesh orphanage – getting alongside children, teaching English and being of help in every practical way possible.

Now they are touring Britain, visiting their home and other churches, speaking about the orphanage, the Baptist Church in Mozambique and the country in general. This week they have been based at St Paul’s, visiting the activities here but also in schools and neighbouring churches. Last night, they visited one of the home groups. In the first half, they talked about their experiences and the country. Then, after tea or coffee, they lead a Bible study.

We then spent a time of prayer for them and for Mozambique, and lit candles around the outline of a cross.

Thank you for your visit, and we wish you God’s every the blessing in your future careers.

BMS Action Teams   Blog of the Kedesh, Mozambique Team

Wellspring – The Persecuted Church.

Both the Archbishop of Canterbury’s and the Pope’s Easter messages included their concern for the problems of the persecuted church. Particularly disliked by the Islamic State, but much more widely persecuted than that across the globe, Christians are being much persecuted – with beheadings, bombings, killings of ordained ministers and their congregations and abductions of their children.

Each month, the Oadby churches hold a Sunday evening alternative worship service called Wellspring, which this month was held at St Peter’s Church. The service was led by our rector, Michael Rusk, and one of St Paul's readers, Colin Chettle.

The service included accounts of Christian persecution – both historical and current and a video highlighting the seriousness of the current situation.

There was also music, silence, meditation and prayer.

A retiring collection was taken for the churches which had recently been bombed in Lahore.

Fun@4 - He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands – 4 p.m. Sunday 10 May

Another opportunity – Don’t Miss the Fun

for further details contact Derek Bowering 0116 271 5765

or derek.bowering@btinternet.com

A Great Tea

Afternoon tea and cakes returned to the Barnabas Centre on Saturday afternoon, 19 April. Between 3.00pm and 5.00pm. we invited anyone who wished to, to join us, and a good number took up the invitation.

In recognition of the generosity of all that God has given us, we wanted to share something of his goodness with others. It was a time that many appreciated, with good food, chat and laughter.

Thank you so much to all those who made it possible.

Our Charity this Month

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) works in over 20 countries across Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America, defending everyone’s right to freedom of religion or belief.

They say: "Three quarters of the world’s population lives in countries with severe restrictions on their religious freedom – in fact, it’s one of the most widely-violated human rights in the world.

We think this is unacceptable. We’re working to change it. Our vision is of a world where everyone is free to choose their beliefs – to hold and practise any religion they like, or none at all. 

We’re passionate about everyone’s right to complete freedom in their religious or non-religious beliefs. We believe this right is fundamental to the proper functioning of a democratic society. 

Almost every country in the world has promised to protect, respect and fulfil the right to freedom of religion or belief through the international human rights framework, yet it’s still one of the most widely-violated human rights. So we challenge world leaders, through our advocacy, to keep their promises to protect religious freedom.  We support and stand with people facing violations of their religious freedom. And we train and equip hundreds around the world in how to advocate for their rights themselves.

Our team of international specialists in the field of freedom of religion or belief give us a unique expertise. We are a voice for justice, and we campaign for religious freedom for everyone – for people from all backgrounds of religion or belief. However, because Christians are globally the most persecuted religious group, we prioritise working for Christians of all denominations and traditions. 

CSW Website

Our New Programme, April - June

Happy Easter! On the first Sunday of each month we are Introducing a new gathering called 'Essential'. Here we are planning to share a meal, life and faith together in what we hope will develop into a fresh expression of church. It will be an ideal place to bring friends to and to build community together. I am looking forward to seeing how Essential evolves over time.
At the end of June we look forward to welcoming Gillian Gamble into the parish as curate after her ordination at the Cathedral.

We also look forward to the visit of Becca Tincello and her mission team for a week in May.

Every Blessing,

Steve.

Programme

Still Cheap at the Price

As on every second Sunday of the month, a willing and dedicated team laid on Breakfast at Barney’s in our Barnabas centre before the All Age Service. Serving of organic breakfasts – Continental and Full English – started at 8.30 a.m.

For the first time for several years, prices have had to be raised by 50p, but at £3.50 for the “Full English” and £2.00 for a “Continental,” this seems good value, with friendship thrown in for free!

Try it next month.

Back from Spring Harvest

28 people from St Paul’s have just returned from the Christian holiday celebration, Spring Harvest, based in the Butlin's holiday camp at Skegness. Those who had been there frequently marvelled at the five days of continuous sunshine that we enjoyed –so different from their previous experiences of frost and rain!

Morning Bible studies in the Big Top were given by the Archbishop’s chaplain, Jo Bailey-Wells as she explored the Christian significance of the second half of St Paul’s letter to the Ephesians chapter 3.

The words from verse 17 provided the theme of the celebration – “More.” “And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,  may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,   and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

The theme was studied in greater depth in seminars and there was much else available. The children seemed to have activities from morning to dusk, and they came to the front of the church in last Sunday’s service, to tell us of all their activities. They had obviously had a great time, as well as learning more of the Christian faith.

Another group is planned for next year. Would you like to come?

Evangelism and Witness

A few weeks ago the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby gave the first in a series of talks. The subject of the inaugural 'Lambeth Lecture' was Evangelism and Witness. Click here to listen to a brilliant message that focuses on one of the 3 main themes of the Archbishop.