On our Mothers’ Union Global Day of Action, the first day of the #16DaysOfActivism and International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, local Mothers’ Union members and Church family including our Vicar, Revd James Knowles, and Curate, Revd Chris Webster, gathered for our ‘Rise Up against domestic abuse’ Service at All Saints’ Church in Eastbourne.

The homily read was taken from Restored Red Chair resources (Restored are a Christian Charity working with Survivors of Domestic Abuse in our Churches nationwide)  ‘A message for the International Day to End Violence Against Women’ – very powerful. Next we marched quietly with our banners up Grange Road to the Town Hall at the top of Grove Road, and held a 3 minutes silence at 1.03pm to remember those 1 in 3 women who are affected worldwide by domestic abuse during their lifetime –

We have re-established links with the Refuges in East Sussex: One of our Mothers’ Union members commented: ‘I was shocked and saddened to hear that all of the Women’s Refuges in East Sussex are full. It’s sad to think of so much fear and unhappiness especially at this special time of the year. I heard a news report later in the week about the way financial pressures are causing stress in many relationships as people struggle to pay their bills, never mind being unable to provide for Christmas. I know the toiletries we collected and the £10 vouchers we have provided for the women will show them that we care about their plight.

I know that the All Saints’ congregation have provided toiletries in time for Christmas. Meanwhile I am spreading the news that East Sussex’s Refuges are full and in need of prayer and suitable housing for the women and children to move on into.’’ At our Global day we collected toiletries and £260 – changed into 26 x £10 vouchers for the Women. Staff have invited us to share craft and cookery sessions in one of the Refuges in the Spring!

Picture – Sue Lockhart

Crowhurst Christian Healing Centre are holding a series of Prayer Days in 2024.  Using the wisdom of the minor prophets they will be interceding for the world on some of the big issues of the day.  The first of these days is Friday 12^th April where Chaplain, David Mayhew, will be considering the book of Joel.  David says “The book of Joel famously speaks of the land being ruined by locusts, of monumental climatic changes, of the need for repentance and the Lord’s desire to bring renewal as He pours out His Spirit on all flesh…among many other things in 3 short chapters.

We will meet together to sense God’s heart for our nation and indeed the world, and to pray He will bring needed renewal and revival to ourselves, our families, our nation and the world. Come and draw closer to God’s heartbeat!”  Each prayer day costs £30 per person and includes a 2 course lunch and refreshments.  To book call 01424 830204 or www.crowhursthealing.org.uk/retreat.php?retreat=814

 

Crowhurst Christian Healing Centre are holding three Quiet Days this year on the theme of stillness.

 Is quietness the same as stillness? The dictionary defines quietness as ‘absence of noise or bustle; calm, without agitation, excitement and speech’.  Stillness is defined as ‘the absence of movement or sound’. Psalm 46 verse 10 says ‘be still and know that I am God’, suggesting that stillness is desirable, although probably for most of us, we need quietness in order to achieve the possibility of stillness.

 You are warmly welcome to participate, either in person (£30 to include a 2 course lunch and refreshments) or online (£10 via Zoom), in our Quiet Days where we will encourage each other to step aside from our normal routine into a quiet place.  The next two Quiet Days are: Finding stillness in our world – Friday 17th May & Finding stillness in the temple (in our places of worship) – Wednesday 28th August. 

The day will consist of times to come together to be led in a scripture based reflection, followed by individual time spent alone to find stillness.

 Please book by calling 01424 830204 or online at https://www.crowhursthealing.org.uk/programme.php.

 

2024 is very likely General Election year.  With the support of Our Lady of Ransom Church, former Head Teacher John de Waal wants to be ahead of the curve.

He plans to ask all the candidates in Eastbourne the same set of questions from a Christian perspective which will reflect particular concerns of Christian voters.  Hopefully their answers will then help guide people on how they should vote.

John would like to draw up the list of questions in consultation with other local Christians.

You are invited to join him on Tuesday 12th March at Our Lady of Ransom Church Hall at 7.30 pm to help draw up the list.

The Civic Prayer Breakfast is an annual event which connects the Eastbourne Church with key figures in the civic world of the town. Interest is high again this year, but there are still places left. The booking page is open again.  https://forms.office.com/e/Dm0Q1zbeaz

It will be of interest to church leaders, Christian agencies and believers whose vocation involves work in the civic sector of local life. Those with a passion for prayer for the town will also find it helpful. Event ticket information can be found at the link below. The cost of the breakfast also includes a small amount to help pay for the administration of the event and an honarium to our speaker.

Church Leaders can obtain a special discount rate

Full English Breakfast £15
Continental Breakfast £12

Feel free to adjust cost accordingly when you make payment.

Many thanks!

Your personal invitation to:

Eastbourne Civic Prayer Breakfast

On behalf of Eastbourne and Bexhill Newman Association.

Bob Clark will be speaking about the work of the Eastbourne Street Pastors to the Eastbourne and Bexhill Newman Association at 7.30pm, Monday 18 March, Christ the King Parish Room, 3 Princes Road, Eastbourne BN23 6HT. Street Pastors are trained volunteers from local churches who provide listening and caring help to potentially vulnerable people who are out on the streets late at night. All are welcome. More information from Alex 07957 632208

• God’s Plans and Purposes for My Life (Explore B1)                     1-2 March

We can easily lose sight of God’s plans and purposes for our lives, through our busyness or from our insecurities, fears and negative experiences.

the Scriptures are clear that the only way we can truly fulfil God’s plans and purposes in life are to be an active part of His family.

This course will give an eternal perspective of what it means to fulfil our plans and purposes in God’s family and how we can grow and flourish in that place of belonging and rest. It will look at what it means to share in His work, pray His family prayer and draw strength from the family for your everyday life.

Find out more: Explore B1: God’s Plans and Purposes for My Life – Ellel UK Courses

 

• Time Out for Married Couples                                                7-10 March 

Retreat, Refreshing & Renewal for Married Couples

With marriages facing so many pressures, ‘Time out for Married Couples’ is designed to do just that, to give you some quality time out in order to bless you, acknowledge the struggles, and help you flourish in your marriage.

Whether you’re recently married or have been married for many years, this course is designed to help couples who want to enter more fully into God’s plans and purposes for their marriage and to enjoy their lives together.

Find out more: Time Out for Married Couples – Ellel UK Courses

 

Restoration Week 2 – Rescue from Rejection                15-21 March

Rejection is something we all experience to one degree or another and the reality is it hurts and it affects how we perceive ourselves, our lives, other people and even God. Being rejected or living with feelings from past rejections can steal our enjoyment of life and leave us feeling depressed or with a sense of not belonging which can even drive us to reject others. But God wants us to know that we are totally acceptable to Him, despite our pasts, our fears and our failings, and He longs to heal our hurts and help us move forward into a full and certain knowledge of being loved.

 Find out more: Restoration Week 2: Rescue from Rejection – Ellel UK Courses

 

 

Deeper Intimacy with God                                                                         22-23 March        (Explore A2)

It is an amazing truth that God wants us to truly know Him – not just to know about Him. Many of us would say we long for a deeper and more meaningful relationship with God but we can struggle to know how to attain this.

As we explore the truth of who He is on this course, the teaching aims to expose any distorted views of God we may hold and how they can prevent us from experiencing the deep and intimate relationship our Heavenly Father yearns to have with each one of us.

Find out more: Explore A2: Deeper Intimacy with God – Ellel UK Courses

 

 

March ECAN Meeting – Mon 4th March

Beachy Head Chaplaincy Team will be hosting the next ECAN meeting at St Michael & All Angel’s Church. The evening will begin with a short overview of the work of BHC. Monday 4th March at 7pm for a 7.10pm start at St. Michael’s Church, Willingdon Road, Eastbourne, BN21 1TN NB – there is onsite parking

We keep running short of the several of the items we give out to rough sleepers. 

Eastbourne Street Pastors needs your help

We give out emergency items to rough sleepers and others who are vulnerable and we are always in need of additional supplies of the following:

New or Used (clean)

* Sleeping Bags
* Blankets
* Hats
* Gloves
* Scarves
* Socks

If you can help with any of these please give them to a Street Pastor or Prayer Pastor or contact Graeme at eastbourne@streetpastors.org.uk

Thank you

PS   If you want to know more about becoming a Street or Prayer Pastor please contact us on eastbourne@streetpastors.org.uk

My name is Steve Price, I’m a Christian Illusionist based near Liverpool. The reason for getting in touch is because I’ve been booked to perform in a church in Hailsham on Saturday 22nd June. I’m therefore contacting other churches in the area to see if they would be interested in having me perform on either Friday 21st June or Sunday 23rd June.

You can read much more about what I do at https://christianmagician.co.uk/

There are a few formats I suggest:

1)  Up to 75 minutes of pure entertainment
2)  Up to 75 minutes of pure entertainment followed by either an interview or Q&A (an opportunity to share my faith)
3)  2 x 45 minutes. The first half is pure entertainment, the second half is “Gospel magic” (I present the Gospel using tricks and illusions)

In terms of pricing, I would usually ask £595, but for these specific dates I’m asking £395. Costs are all inclusive.

If this is of interest, or if you have any questions, please let me know. Many thanks,

Steve Price
07986 219997
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