New research reveals that churches could have a bigger role in their communities as we recover from the pandemic. People who don’t attend church regularly were asked what they have missed while places of worship were closed. The results may surprise you as Dr Dee Dyas told Esther Higham. Listen here
News
Oikos App Will Help You Pray for Every Home
God who is good and who uses all things for good has not been on lockdown. Through lockdown and daily walks God is calling us out of the church building and back to our homes, neighbours and communities. Now we believe he wants us to pray for them.
Find out more at https://www.hopeforeveryhome.org/Groups/336728/Hope_for_Every.aspx
Prayer Breakfast in Parliament – 25 June – Online
The National Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast 2021 Online, will be livestreamed on Friday 25 June from 8:00-8:45am.
The event will include prayers led by parliamentarians, hymns led by special guest singers and a keynote address by The Rt Revd Professor NT Wright.
As we start to think about life beyond the coronavirus pandemic, we want to bring together parliamentarians, church leaders and Christians from across the UK to pray for our country, parliament, government and politics, and reflect on the message of renewed hope that the Christian Faith brings to our society.
Following the event, our principal partner Bible Society will be hosting a webinar for church leaders from 10:00-11:00am, titled ‘Re-imagining Mission’, and this will be followed by a programme of webinars hosted by our partners from 11:00am-3:00pm.
Everything is free to attend, but you must register via the Christians in Parliament website in order to receive access.
If you are a church leader, please consider if you could organise a local event for other church leaders and your MP to watch the Breakfast together (subject to government restrictions at the time) and to discuss ways that you can work in partnership to support people locally. Find out more information about organising a local constituency breakfast here.
More information is available on the Christians in Parliament website.
Crowhurst Healing Centre Cafe Returns
Howard’s Well re-opens with a new menu & extended opening times!
Crowhurst Christian Healing Centre are glad to announce that Howard’s Well will be re-opening on Tuesday May 4th. We plan to be open from that date, Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 3.30pm for breakfast and lunch, teas and coffees and a wide range of sandwiches and cakes. Everyone is warmly welcome to come and enjoy good food and the peace of our grounds. For those who would like, we will also be holding a short service of about 20 minutes in our Chapel at 10am each weekday, and prayer will be available too!
We are looking forward to welcoming residential guests again from 18th May. You can book a stay and enjoy the quiet of the house, the beauty of the grounds and find opportunities to encounter God.
Please see our website www.crowhursthealing.org.uk or telephone 01424 830204 for more information.
It will be lovely to see you!
Steve Thornett Fondly Remembered by Eastbourne Publishers and Bookshop
STEVE THORNETT 1939 -2021
It is with sadness but also some joy that we heard last week of the passing into glory of our dear friend and colleague, Steve Thornett.
For over twenty years Steve was a trustee and also Chair of Trustees of the Helmet Trust, which operated the Christian Resource Centre in Eastbourne. In addition to his involvement with the charity, Steve was well-known across the UK trade from his time with Christian Art, Nova, David C Cook, Kingsway, No Frontiers and the S&J Stationers shop in Winchester. His career in Christian retailing began as a schoolboy working in the SPCK Bookshop in Gloucester in the 1950’s.
His wisdom and experience were of great value to us as Trustees and we shall miss his wise counsel and dry sense of humour. A real man of God, with a heart for spreading the Gospel widely, he will be missed by us all.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Ursula and family.
Rest in peace Steve and as Bob Clark said on Facebook ‘don’t keep fiddling with the cards on the rack’!
Clem Jackson – on behalf of the Christian Resources Centre
OLR Singing and/or Playing 100 Hymns for 5 local charities
Linking Lives administrator Marylou Cockshoot is taking part in a 100 Hymns singathon to raise money for 5 local charities – which include Linking Lives and Kingdom Way. You can find out more about how to give at gf.me/u/zpy9uc
More details below.
Are you a survivor or victim of church related abuse?
Are you a survivor or victim of church related abuse? Could you help the Diocese of Chichester to learn from the past and protect the future?
In line with the national Past Case Review 2 (PCR2) project in the Church of England, the Diocese of Chichester is currently reviewing all its records, across all its parishes, to ensure that all safeguarding concerns and allegations have been identified, reported, and appropriately actioned. Critical to this, is the voice of survivors and victims. The Diocese of Chichester wants to listen to and to learn from your experiences and ensure that your voices are heard throughout this review process.
Information about PCR2 can be found at: Past Case Review 2 (PCR2) – Diocese of Chichester Safeguarding (anglican.org)
Growing Good; Growth, Social Action and Discipleship in the Church of England
This research, done in partnership with the Church Urban Fund, draws on three years of extensive qualitative and quantitative research, including 350 interviews in over 60 parish communities across England and new analysis of existing parish data. It explores the relationship between social action, church growth and discipleship in the Church of England. It finds that social action can be a route to church growth in both numerical and spiritual terms. Further, social action is one of the key ways in which congregations can build wider networks of relationships resulting in people initiating a faith journey and joining the church.
Methodist/URC Coalition Seeks Regional Operations Manager
Operations Manager
Methodist Circuit 36/13
United Reformed Church Area 11
Required from Summer 2021
for a three year fixed term contract.
Salary £30,000.
The post holder will work in partnership with the lay and ordained staff team and 24 church communities, to help coordinate and facilitate the smooth working of the Ecumenical Area and aid us in our future planning.
This will include assisting with our financial, legal and strategic responsibilities.
For details and information pack, please contact:
Closing date for applications: 30th April 2021
The role is subject to an enhanced DBS check.
Eastbourne Christian Bookshop opens again April 14th
The trustees of Eastbourne Christian Resources CIO today issue
the following statement.
Following the easing of Government restrictions on 12th April
the trustees of Eastbourne Christian Resources CIO (ECR) are
pleased to confirm that the Christian Resource Centre in
Seaside Road will be reopening on 14th April at 10.00am.
For the immediate future the Centre will be operating on
reduced opening hours: Wednesday-Saturday from 10.00am to
4.00pm and will be operated by staff and volunteers.
Longer-term the trustees and volunteers are working toward a
fresh vision for the operation of the charity which will entail
changes to the current operation. This will be further
communicated over the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, we are keen to hear from individuals who would be
interested in joining the volunteer team and we are keen to
expand the trustee team further. If you would like to find out
more about volunteering or becoming a trustee please contact
the charity at eastbournecrc@btconnect.com.