| |
|
|
| North Korean refugees |
 |
|
Countless Christians and religious minorities live under the cruel grip of repressive regimes.
Join the Cry Freedom Campaign to call for change in North Korea, Burma, China, Cuba, Iran & Eritrea.
It’s time to speak up for religious freedom!
North Korea:
Take action to save the lives of 30 North Korean Refugees!
A group of 30 North Korean refugees who were recently arrested in China are facing the threat of being returned to North Korea by the Chinese authorities.
Send an urgent email to the Chinese embassy and CRY FREEDOM for the lives of these North Koreans and their families!
Visit CHRISTIAN SOLIDARITY WORLDWIDE to find out more.
|
|
| We journey to Easter |
|
|
Lent is not traditionally a time that Baptists have paid much attention to. But over the last few years, keeping Lent has spread into the free church tradition as well, as a way of helping us deepen our discipleship, and prepare more fully to encounter Easter.
This year we have a series of ways in which we will mark Lent.
|
|
| Beyond 400 |
|
|
Can you join us at Central Hall Westminster, London, for our Baptist Assembly 2012?
Everyone is welcome.
It’s an important event in the life of our denomination as we explore together what it means to be Baptist in today’s world and celebrate together 400 years of Baptist witness in the UK and beyond with our Baptist family in London.
Gathering in the heart of London 400 years after the first Baptist church on home soil began, the Assembly will give delegates a tangible experience of how our worldwide faith impacts the whole of life.
Friday 4 May – Sunday 6 May 2012
Download a programme here and go here for more details.
|
|
| The gathering of the nations |
|
|
Can you remember where you were when you heard that London had been chosen to host the Olympic games?
Robert Draycott writes: In July 2005 I was the Chaplain of Eltham College and I was just outside the school Chapel at Eltham College. I mention this because one of the features of the Chapel is the stained-glass window which features Eric Liddell, a former pupil, the 400 metres gold medallist from the 1924 Paris Olympics. The artist depicted Liddell lighting a torch from the flames of missionary zeal to hand on to the present generation of students. Liddell’s story is one of many inspirational stories from the Olympics, and having been invited to prepare a Lent course it occurred to me that some of those stories and themes could be food for Lenten reflection. Thus my aim was to relate the Christian journey to both the great Biblical themes and to the celebration of humanity that the Olympics offer.
The aim of the course is to reflect on the aspects of the two great Biblical stories of Creation and Redemption in a way that enables Christians to relate them to contemporary life. I am pleased that Louise and Travis will share in leading two of the sessions, which will be part of the Disciples on the Way programme during Lent. The five sessions are designed to enable participants to engage with questions that arise from the Biblical, theological, and contemporary issues.
The five themes are:-
GATHERING : London hosts people from every nation
GIFTING: Sporting gifts: the Paralympics
WITNESSING: Focus on Eric Liddell, athlete and evangelist
SACRIFICING: The heart of Christianity
HEALING of the nations
More than Gold is an interdenominational Christian organization which seeks to enable Churches to engage with the 2012 Games. Its origins date back to the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, since then valuable experience has been gained of how to use the opportunities presented to communicate the good news of Jesus in word and action.
Thus ‘More than Gold’ sets out to help Christians catch a vision of what they can do or offer, as individuals and as churches. It seeks to make connections between the many agencies involved, and also aims to co-ordinate the production of resources, which are available, and of the actions needed.
There are three main areas for Christians to be involved in: Outreach, Hospitality, and Service. As an example volunteers will be needed to offer hospitality to the families of athletes who could not afford to stay in hotels.
Do look at the website for more details: http://www.morethangold.org.uk
One of the intriguing thoughts I found on their website was the following ‘the Games will enable churches to be seen for what they really are’. Now there’s a thought to end on!
............and if you are looking for advice on travel during the games, try this: http://www.getaheadofthegames.com
|
|
| Out of many, one people - Cultures in Communion |
|
|
This is the title of the evening celebration to be hosted by Edmonton Baptist Church, London on Saturday 19 May 2012 from 17:30 to 21:00.
A team of four ministers from the Jamaican Baptist Union, including Revd Karl Johnson, the Jamaican Baptist Union General Secretary and the Assistant General Secretary, Revd Merlyn Hyde–Riley will help us consider the importance of cultural difference, and ways in which it can be celebrated to strengthen Baptist churches. The Revd Jonathan Edwards, The General Secretary of the BUGB and Revd David Kerrigan,The General Director of BMS World Mission will also be contributing to the event, and worship will be led by the young people from Edmonton Baptist church.
For those actively developing multicultural churches, this practical evening event aims to provide churches with some of the tools to build culturally creative communities.
Please save the date for a free, informative and multi-cultural celebratory event.
More information will be posted here as it becomes available.
You can find location details here: http://www.edmontonbaptist.org.uk
If you have any further questions please contact Wale Hudson Roberts at the BUGB
|
|
| Prayers on a balloon for the New Year |
|
|
During morning worship on New Year’s Day, the congregation was invited
to write their prayers for 2012 to attach to a balloon.
Please click here and spare a moment to share the prayers that were offered.
|
|
| Christmas greetings from afar |
|
|
Our Christmas website has brought greetings from afar.
from Barrie Hibbert
Warmest greetings from Adelaide.
from Carmen Butcher in California
Merry Christmas to you all! Sean was baptized at Bloomsbury, and you are special to us! We love you all! Carmen
from Jane Ross, USA
Season’s Greetings to Bloomsbury – just love the modern Christmas website.
from Ulla-Martina Bauer
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!! Greetings from Germany. Ulla
from Sally Calimoso in the Philippines
Christmas greetings to all our Bloomsbury family. With love Sally.
from Anne in Malta
Dear Friends,
Since the last Christmas, many things have been changed dramatically…
Last year, I had no idea what was about to come.
Uproar in Libya, sudden leave from Libya with just a couple of bags after 9.5 years of eventful life there, moving to Malta, Tsunami in Japan, becoming exile in London, working with Divewise in Malta to look after Japanese diving market…
The year 2011 has become unforgettable in my life. With wonderful friendship and God’s blessing, all the new challenges have become my great experience.
Although all my family and relatives were fine, there were tragic losses during the war in Libya and Tsunami in Japan including our family friends and acquaintances. I’d like to ask for your prayer for those in grief.
The year 2012 will be another eventful year for sure.
The first big event for me, I suppose, will be going back into Libya for a week or two.
I’m already excited about it. I really hope the situation in Libya at least stays as it is so that my trip won’t be postponed again.
Let me thank you again for your friendship, my dear friends, throughout the year.
I wish you Merry Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and lots more for you in the year 2012!!
May the Lord bless us all. Lots of love, Anne Hoshi Furuya
|
|
|
|
| .............and the Hallelujah Chorus |
|
|
At the end of the Carol celebration on Saturday, some of the audience joined the choir to sing “The Glory of the Lord” and the “Hallelujah Chorus”.
Much enjoyed
Can you spot James Dunn, almost hidden by his wife, Marilyn? Probably still jet-lagged but clearly very pleased to be here.
|
|
|
|
| A new world record |
|
|
UPDATE,UPDATE, UPDATE….........Thursday 22 December
A message from the Co-ordinator:
The final number of participants is 18, 414. Once all supporting documents are received, they will be sent off to Guinness. Guinness usually takes 6 to 9 months to investigate and confirm world records… Plenty of patience required. So, the earlier we can get all the proof to them, the better. Once the record is confirmed, all participating churches will receive a certificate….........and our supporting evidence has been despatched.
For now, we just want to thank you and your congregations for taking part.
I have started to receive your supporting documents, so thank you for that.
A bientot.
Miss Hortense Julienne
220 Churches, 18400+ Carollers, 1 Guinness World record how about that for a great end to 2011.
Thank you to all participating churches…YOU ARE WORLD RECORD BREAKERS!!!
HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A GREAT NEW YEAR!!!!
“WE’VE DONE IT…. So far we are at 17117 carol singers….
We are still waiting for 57 churches to text in their numbers.”
This message has just arrived.
It’s 2334h on Sunday 18 December.
We took part and there is now a new Guinness™ World Record for the Largest Group of Carol Singers Across Multiple Venues.
More to follow when final numbers are published.
|
|
|
|
| Peace Pathway for St Pancras |
|
|
The Week of Prayer for World Peace (WPWP) is creating a circular Peace Pathway in the historic St Pancras Old Church Gardens in London. The Pathway is designed to celebrate diversity and for different communities to work on a peace project together.
In its centre will be a map of the world. It will be surrounded by the word for ‘Peace’ in each of the 232 plus languages spoken domestically in London. Around the circle the names of the continents and the days of the week will be displayed. A solar-powered World Peace Flame is featured in the centre of the globe. This is interactive and by turning a handle, one can make the light shine even more brightly onto the world showing how each individual can make a difference.
WPWP welcomes any help with the project. For further information please contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or go to http://nfpb.gn.apc.org/Prayer/
Mike Stygal
Chair
Camden Faith Communities Partnership
|
|
| News from Naivo |
|
|
Those Bloomsbury folk who have been praying for Naivo’s son will rejoice to hear that Ntsoa is now able to walk a bit on ‘canes’ and is beginning to tackle stairs.
He goes to school when possible, around daily rehabilitation sessions, and should take his Baccalaureat exams in August.
Everyone is clearly amazed at Ntsoa’s progress and feel this has been facilitated by much prayer as well as good medical treatment.
Given the general state of their very poor country, it does seem almost miraculous that the special materials for the surgery were available quickly, and that they have been able to access modern electro-stimulation to back up the surgeon’s skill.
Naivo also seeks prayer for their pastor’s daughter who is having brain surgery in France.
|
|
| Playing at Prayer |
|
|
There are many different ways of praying, and many different parts of our personality and skills that can come into our prayers. All too often, we get very accustomed to only one way of praying, and there are times when it no longer helps us.
These mornings are times when we can explore other ways of praying, and see what God might do with us.
Each morning runs from 10.30-1.00. We start with coffee from about 10.30 and some days, we bring lunch and eat together after the session ends.
The mornings are open to anybody who would like to come and share.
The crucial and liberating truth to grasp is that it is actually me-as-I-am that God is wanting to meet when I pray. The incredible fact is God wants to meet me. What a wonderful truth! But how rarely it sinks in. It is because of this that we may have the freedom in prayer to be just who we are, and how we are, with no super-spiritual act, no pretence. It is because God has reconciled us to himself that we are able to meet him in prayer—not because of how we are or the way we feel. This means, then, that I don’t have to wait until I am feeling “good enough” or “spiritual enough” to pray.
Paul Wallis.
|
|
| Bloomsbury’s Birthday |
|
|
On Sunday 10 July we celebrated being one hundred and sixty two!
Revd Dr Patricia Took, President of the Baptist Union, and one of our own members, led our morning service.
In the afternoon we held our Annual General Meeting when the Annual Report was presented.
|
|
|
|
|
|
