Week of Prayer – Day 1

Material for this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity originates from the churches of Indonesia, where there is a strong emphasis upon the need for unity alongside the nation’s ethnic and religious diversity. The resources also highlight issues of economic injustice and how religious pluralism can face challenges in the face of radicalisation. The theme is based around Deuteronomy 16:18-20, ‘Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue…’

DAY 1
Amos 5:22-25 Luke 11:37-44

Christians in Indonesia recognize that in their land there are people who passionately try to practise their faith, but who oppress those of other beliefs. In the prophecy of Amos, God rejects the worship of those who neglect justice. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus reminds us that the outward sign of true worship of God is acting justly. Christians can sometimes be very committed to prayer and worship, but less concerned for the poor and the marginalized. When, as Christians, we work together on justice issues we grow closer to one another and to God.

Source: Churches Together in Britain and Ireland Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Resources. Each day there are scripture passages, a short reflection, a prayer, questions for discussion and suggestions for further action (“go and do”).

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2019

We will be joining Churches Together Sandhurst on Sunday January 20th 6:30pm at St George’s Owlsmoor to celebrate the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity that happens between 18th and 25th January each year.

In addition, there are a number of opportunities to prayer together during the week, open to all:
Thursday 17th 12-12:30 p.m. Post Coffee Shop Prayer for Christian Unity (NB arrive by 11:45 if you want coffee first!) at Crowthorne Baptist Church
Monday 21st at 10.30 a.m. welcome tea/coffee followed by a meditation group at 11.00 a.m. at Holy Ghost RC Church
Tuesday 22nd at 10.00 a.m. Worship at Crowthorne Methodist Church followed by CTC coffee morning.
Tuesday 22nd 12-1.00 p.m. informal time for prayer at Crowthorne Methodist Church, Rev Sharon will be available during this time
Friday 25th at 6.00 p.m. Prayer for the sick at St John’s Church

If anyone would like to meet up and pray with someone from your own or another church, please contact the secretary, Carla Lee McLachlan ([email protected]) who will co-ordinate prayer partners.

Each day we will be posting from the excellent material produced by the Churches in Indonesia. You can find these resources at: https://ctbi.org.uk/week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity-reso….

Don’t miss My Country Wept – Weds 7th November 7:30pm

We have been hearing excellent reports of the “My Country Wept” tour so far… “Theo engaged in a way that you could hear a pin drop.” “A GREAT evening.” “Inspiring.” The tour was originally going to only be in the Cambridge area, so we are really excited that they are coming to us. Please do endeavour to come, and bring friends! Call Ali at Quench on Monday (0118 9776715) if you need more details. Thank you.

Harvest Update from Crowthorne Foodbank

Thank you AGAIN to our Supporters and Volunteers for ANOTHER great month. As the well known Harvest hymn says…

“Come, ye thankful people, come,
Raise the song of harvest home!
ALL IS SAFELY GATHERED IN,
Ere the winter storms begin;
God, our Maker, doth provide … ”

…and due to the fact that all of the Schools’ and Churches’ Harvest Offerings have now arrived (or are still arriving) at our Foodbank …and “all is safely gathered in” … our Food Stores are now blessed with plenty! – so the only shortages this month are: coffee, sponge-puddings, bleach, washing-up liquid, and anti-bacterial spray / hand-wash please. Many thanks.

Donations can be made to the Crowthorne Foodbank (open Mondays & Thursdays 12-2pm) Vineyard Centre, 25 Wellington Business Park, Dukes Ride, Crowthorne RG45 6LS.

For further information please email [email protected] or call the Vineyard Church Centre on 01344 780087

Welcome to new residents of Birch Place

Birch Place Churches ‘Cake Welcome’

On Thursday 4th October, members from Crowthorne Baptist, Holy Ghost RC, St John’s and St Sebastian’s churches joined new homeowners at Birch Place to welcome them into their new home.

The lounge was soon buzzing with happy chatter and yes, we demolished the cakes and biscuits that the team brought too!

Our hope and prayer is that all the new residents will be really happy, thrive and be blessed as they make their new home at Birch Place.