Ministers Desk 16th June

In the coming weeks our congregation is involved in two significant outreach activities.

From Tuesday 25 June to Friday 28 June members of our congregation are involved in the Presbytery’s annual Day Camp.  Day Camp this year is being held at the CCC Campsite at Samford.  The theme this year is Be Strong and Courageous.  There are almost 200 kids registered for Day Camp from across the Presbytery, including 17 from our congregation.  Many of these children do not belong to church families and are connected with our church through other groups.  We also have 11 people going as leaders or assistant leaders.  Nathan Golding, one of our young adults is also one of the Directors of the camp.  That is a great effort and on behalf of the congregation I thank each of these people for the way that they are embodying their faith through service.

Day Camp is a great way to reach out beyond our congregation and share the love and message of Jesus.  Children have great fun in an outdoor setting.  Through morning and afternoon assemblies and daily devotions they hear the gospel message.  And as a result of the sacrificial love and interest shown by the leaders, assistants, helpers and directors, the children see real Christianity in action.  Parents will often talk about their children who sing Day Camp songs continually during the week and then sometimes for months afterwards.

We need many people to help make Day Camp successful.  There is always a need for people to be involved on the ground during the week.  But if you’re not able to do that there are other ways to help.  Prayer support is essential.  Please pray consistently before, during and after the Camp.  Donations of the following items are also needed:

• Buttons

• Lace off cuts

• Ribbon off cuts

• Home baked goodies for leaders

• Packets of fun size chocolate bars for leaders

Please contact either Helen Smith or Harlee Cooper if you’re able to supply any of these.

 

The other outreach event is a mission trip to Noro, Solomon Islands.  From Monday 24 June to Friday 5 July Maureen Witheyman, Meredith Smith and myself will be sharing with our partner church.  They have asked us to provide training in leadership, evangelism, sermon preparation and PowerPoint.  In addition we will spend time building on our previous relationships, worshipping together and experiencing life in Noro.

 The people of Noro greatly appreciate our partnership and value the trips that we make to them each year.  Please pray for the trip and the partnership that we are building between our two churches.