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In this issue:
- Tim's ramblings
- HOPE '08 UPDATE
- Trumpet Call
- Black Country Prophetic School
- Hope Event with Syd Little (Gornal & Sedgley)
- Phil Collins/Jessica Turner to run the London Marathon-HOPE PLAY
- Wolves' Churches Event with Ian McCormack
- REDEEMING OUR COMMUNITIES 2-DAY CONFERENCE
- justice net? (proposed)
- WWW.UKCHRISTIANS.NET New Christian MYSPACE/Facebook
- Windrush 60th Anniversary Commemoration
- Christians In Property
- Jobs
Les Rambles
Dearest Black Countryites,Spring Greetings! Yes, it finally feels like we're approaching semi-warmer weather once more. March has left us like a lamb, and we can now look forward to 30 days of showers, not unlike the whole of last summer!
I realize that Easter has just been and gone, but here are a few belated thoughts for you to ponder over as you eat your faggots and peas this evening.
Why did Jesus fold the linen burial cloth after His resurrection?
Why did Jesus fold the linen burial cloth after His resurrection?
The Gospel of John (20:7) tells us that the napkin, which was placed over the face of Jesus, was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes.
The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that the napkin was neatly folded and was placed at the head of that stony coffin.
"Early that morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.
She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved.
She said, 'They have taken the Lord's body out of the tomb, and I don't know where
they have put him!
Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see. The other Disciple outran Peter
and got there first. He stooped and looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there, but he
didn't go in. Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus' head was folded up and lying to the side".
Is that important? Absolutely! Is it really significant? Yes! In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you have to understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day.The folded napkin had to do with the Master and Servant, and every Jewish boy knew this tradition. When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it. The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished eating, and the servant would not dare touch that table until the master was finished.
Now if the master was done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers and mouth with that napkin and toss it on to the table. The servant would then know to clear the table,for in those days, the wadded napkin meant, 'I'm done.' But if the master got up from the table and folded his napkin, and laid it be side his plate, the servant knew that the folded napkin meant, 'I'm not finished yet.'
The folded napkin meant, 'I'm coming back!'So, there you go Black Countryites; we await His return, and we hope and pray that He will be pleased with how we have managed what He has entrusted to us, both individually, and TOGETHER.
Have a think on these things, and please see loads of news/items below, and please see web-site for other updates and news.
Love to all,
Tim
For YOUR NETwork of Black Country Christians
HOPE '08 update
Please see www.thenet.org.uk for more HOPE information relating to The Black Country, and feel free to advertize your HOPE '08 events and activities on netnews too.
REMEMBER---please also register your activities for HOPE throughout the year so that we can compile a huge report at the end of '08 which will prove to be very effective when we show the collective and joined-up efforts of THE BODY OF CHRIST in our area to each-other, the media, local goverment and whoever else wants or needs to know.
You can access this via our web-site OR via www.faithsurvey.info
NEXT BLACK COUNTRY CHAPTER--- "hope & pray"
hope & pray
Hi Black Country Pray-ers,
This is just a quick note to remind you that we will be joining in the Global Day of Prayer by gathering in our four boroughs across the Black Country to pray together on the 11th of May between 5pm and 8pm. Yes at last!
We are joining with the rest of the nation and our world on the Global Day of Prayer to pray for our villages, towns,cities,region, nation and nations of the world.
We will meet in four locations, Dudley will meet at Holy Trinity Wordsley an Anglican church that seats 800, in Walsall at the Central Methodist Hall seating over 500, in Wolverhampton at the Civic seating over 700 and the West Bromwich Town hall that seats over 600. We could gather over 2600 to pray on this day!
Exciting or what!
So if you can make it that would great and can I also ask you to promote it in your church and with your friends. Promotional material is now available
Thanks for all your prayer support,
Kind Regards and May the Lord bless you,
Adrian
On behalf of the Net Core Team
TRUMPET CALL VII
Dear Black Country,
It is good to be able to be in touch again as we begin to plan ahead for Trumpet Call VII.
Trumpet Call on 21st June will be the seventh stage of an amazing journey that God is leading us on based on Numbers 10:9 “When you go into battle in your own land against an enemy who is oppressing you, sound a blast on the trumpets. Then you will be remembered by the Lord your God and rescued from your enemies”. From blowing a trumpet to lift the oppression and awaken the sleeping giant in the nation, to releasing the message of grace, praying for the church to arise, launching Redeeming our Communities, then launching the year of prayer for Hope08 and praying for the release of the Gospel and the vision of WPC, God continues to lead us.
As you will have seen from the brochures (available from many sources, including The Net office-Ed), we are looking for the largest prayer journey on the longest day to give a massive prayer push in the middle of Hope08. Leaders from the rest of this family of nations will be welcomed as we formally launch the new Prayer Forum website (Prayer Forum of British Isles and Ireland).
We would be blessed and honoured to have you standing with us on the day as we seek God’s heart for our nation and ask for His kingdom to come and for His will to be done.
We look forward to standing with you for our nations.
Yours in Christ Jesus
Ian Cole
World Prayer Centre, Cornerstone House5 Ethel Street, Birmingham, B2 4BG, UK
Office: 0121 633 7393
Web: www.worldprayer.org.uk
**WE WILL HAVE IAN WITH US AT OUR SECTOR/BUSINESS NET BREAKFAST IN MAY 2008...
Black Country Prophetic School
Hi Everyone,
For some time we have sensed the need to develop a teaching/ workshop environment that facilitates the development of the Prophetic Gift in our believer communities across our region. Working with Martin Scott and Chris Meredith we have developed an initial program running monthly on Saturdays starting in April. If you sense either you or someone with whom you are connected may be interested please read on or pass the email on those who may be interested. You can register for the program by emailing admin@thenet.org.uk
For more information read on!
Adrian Lowe
On behalf of the Core Vision Team of the Net
For more details see flyer
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Prophetic School
Developing a Company of Prophetic People for the Black Country...
Do you feel that God has given you a prophetic gifting to develop? Do others see you as carrying a prophetic gift? If so, then you'll want to know about the forthcoming prophetic training schools coming to the Black Country.
For some time, we have been grateful to God for releasing the prophetic to accompany us here on our journey in the Black Country as church. This accompaniment is mainly manifest in Martin Scott, who God has called to walk alongside us.
Martin is one of the foremost prophets in the UK today, as well as being called to significant ministry in Brazil, Sweden and the USA. Along with us he feels that the Black Country is one the key places in the UK where God is doing something new and pouring out his Spirit in a time of preparation.
Some years ago, Martin was inspired to see a prophetic voice raised in this land. When he met Chris Meredith, a young post-graduate with a clear prophetic calling upon his life, God revealed that here was someone who could carry the inspiration forward in our nation and together they began to develop COPP, a Company of Prophetic People.
COPP for the Black Country is an initiative led by Chris Meredith, which aims to establish a prophetic round table, people from within Black Country church who can grow to mark time, measure the season, declare the tempo of the moment - as we journey together. Regional companies will eventually become a much wider resource speaking into our nation.
"At its core the prophetic is about re-imagining tomorrow, about catalysing spiritual and material change, about releasing destiny to the lives, spheres and landscapes of which we find ourselves a part. These days are about feeding, or even beginning, journeys which develop us towards doing just that." - Chris Meredith, COPP
Sound exciting? Read on...
The first step in developing this company, is to run a prophetic school - right here in the Black Country. The school is essentially an environment for the practical training of those who are inexperienced but who carry prophetic anointing – as well as a place for the development of existing gifts. There will be strong elements of biblical teaching, theological discussion and a safe space in which prophetic ministry can both be given and received. In essence, it is a chance to begin to journey together in discovering what it means to pursue the voice of God.
Phil Collins and Jessica Turner to run the London Marathon.
Not the Phil Collins of Genesis fame, but THE Phil Collins of CEO, Saltmine fame...
SHOCK: UNICEF have recently reported that out of 21 European Union member states, the UK is BOTTOM in child welfare...
ACTION: Support Phil and Jessica in the London Marathon in response to this report
Their aims:
Phil and Jessica aim to to raise money for the 'Hope Play’.
The 'Hope Play' will go into as many primary schools in the Black Country as possible. The more money raised, the more schools that can be reached with this important message of Hope.
The 'Hope Play’ takes the story of Joseph and propels it into the 21st century. Joseph struggled with family pressure, cultural clashes and rejection but managed to hold onto the dream that God had given him.
This production communicates to children that they can be themselves, have freedom in God and aspire to change their world.
.The money raised will go towards funding:
1) Getting the production into 200 schools in the Black Country and being seen by up to 30,000 children
2) Producing and distributing follow up material so that local church workers are able to continue the message of the production in schools
3) The three Saltmine Theatre Companies that will rehearse and perform the production
4) The team of writers who are producing the script for the production
.WHAT SHOULD I DO NOW ?
To pledge money to Phil or Jessica please email your name, address, contact telephone number and the amount you want to give to philc@saltmine.org or jessicat@saltmine.org
REDEEMING OUR COMMUNITIES 2-DAY CONFERENCE
This 2 day conference, on April 29th-30th, at Ashburnham Place, East Sussex, is for anyone wanting to know more of the details and the practical "how to" of community transformation.
The conference will prove to be invaluable for those who are planning initiatives for Hope 08 and for anyone who would like to find out more about working in partnership with the police towards community transformation and setting up and maintaining an effective inter-church prayer network.
The conference will include a chance to "meet an expert" for a 15 minute consultation. Many police officers have already booked into the conference & will be available to consult with delegates.
Guest speakers include:
- Matt Baggott, Chief Constable of Leicestershire Police.
- John Kirkby, MD of Christians Against Poverty, specialising in debt counselling, with 66 centres throughout the UK.
- Mike Royal, National Director of The Lighthouse Group, and advisor to Street Pastors.
- Debra Green, Director City Links, founder of Redeeming Our Communities.
There are still some residential places and plenty of non-residential places but please book as soon as possible.
To book a place for this conference please visit the City Links web site:
http://www.citylinks.org.uk/Group/Group.aspx?ID=44667or email info@citylinks.org.uk to request a brochure.
Also.....
"JUSTICE NET" (proposed?)
Anyone interested in praying for the police and the criminal justice system in the Black Country? Please contact Nicola Martin at nfm@wassellgrove.co.uk
Mini-bus for hire anyone?
We are looking to take a young group of people away from our Sunday School on the 25-27th July 2008 and would like to know if you know of any organisations that may hire out there minibus, for us to use for our weekend away.
I appreciate your help in this matter.
Best regards.
Paul Westwood (Tel: 01384 74286).
33 Margaret Close , Brierley Hill, West Midlands ,DY5 2XD. Tel: 01384 74286
WWW.UKCHRISTIANS.NET is a brand new site similar to Facebook and Myspace but for Christians with a focus on the UK. Launched in January it has grown rapidly to 900 members.
On the site you can chat with friends, meet new ones, create your own blog, add photos, video and music and discuss lots of topics in the forum. The current debate about God TV in the forum is particularly interesting!!
Get your free membership today and join in the action at www.ukchristians.net
( Ed......this was created in the Black Country! )
Windrush 60th Anniversary Commemoration – 22 June 2008 – Town Hall, Birmingham
I am pleased to inform you that tickets for the above event are now on sale on Town Hall website: www.thsh.co.uk and because all seats are the same price (£5 in advance, £7 on the day), you have the best choice of seats if you book early.
Tickets can be purchased:- on-line www.thsh.co.uk
- by phone 0121 780 3333
- in person at Town Hall and Symphony Hall Box Offices in office hours (and also on evenings/weekends when there is a show on)
It will be an inspiring evening of reflections on the legacy of the Windrush generation with focus also on the Caribbean today, 60 years to the day that SS Empire Windrush discharged her Caribbean passengers at Tilbury, Essex. The evening will have many exciting features, including Gospel singing led by Deseta Davis with music directed by Vince McCalla, a reflection from a Christian Aid partner from Jamaica, plus an extract from LET MY PEOPLE GO - Praise Poems and Pentecost, a theatre production commissioned by The Churches’ Racial Justice Network focusing on the theme of Migration. The event is organised by The Development & Missions Network and Christian Aid.
Tickets are likely to be snapped up very quickly, so don’t delay if you intend to go. You are one of the first to be notified about the tickets being on sale, so it’s your opportunity to take advantage of that ahead of the increased publicity that is to follow.
Best Regards,
David
David King
Black Majority Churches Liaison Coordinator
Christian Aid, 403B The Big Peg, 120 Vyse Street, Birmingham B18 6NE.
Tel. 0121 200 2283
Christians In Property
Hello all,
Well, this is my second preliminary message to you, AND THOSE WHO YOU KNOW who either own property, or know those who do......whether commercial, BUY-TO-LET or even holiday homes abroad.........
....................................................whichever, who MIGHT be interested in NETworking for various reasons...ie;
SHORT TERM....
--to share ideas....eg, how to find/keep/advertize together for GOOD tenants;
--insurance/mortgages/solicitors/accountants/etc (get better deals if not alone);
--share best practise/good ideas/experience;
--maybe share a common C-I-P website if we can sort ssomething out;
--motivational concepts/ways of developing entrepreneurial ideas and processes;
--TOGETHER we're stronger....LONGER TERM....
--continue in all of the above....and maybe....;
--help the poor to find quality/affordable homes;
--offer local councils a list of reliable, quality and ethical landlords, and maybe a glimpse of what God is like!
--help the poor to find ways of taking themselves and family on affordable/quality holidays;
--offer assistance to excellent Christian Social Enterprise groups/organizations, eg, GREEN PASTURES;
--can you think of a few more things here guys????If you're interested in a no hassle, no obligation association or network of people who can make a difference in practical ways to real people, please let me know in confidence......maybe we could arrange a time to all meet up in the Spring....who knows?? I will follow up as soon as possible to see where this might lead us......am convinced that it is The Lord who gives us the ability to create wealth or resource, and property is a large part of this in modern times, so maybe He has some ideas for us to think about in terms of how we USE this wealth for His purposes as well as ours, and how we enable each other to maximize each-others' potential.
There is so much we could do TOGETHER if we want to make a difference in our world.
Yours together,.
Tim Fellows.
ps......please let me have contact details of those you know who might be interested to be involved...I have deliberately hidden e-mail addresses so as to protect data, so please respect this and assume that I don't know who you might be thinking about at this stage, no matter how large or small their property experience may be.
Key things we will cover:
q Re-imagining the Prophetic
q Good and bad beliefs about prophecy
q Protocols and Pitfalls in ministering prophetically
q Dreams, the Visual, and issues of interpretation.
q Receiving / Weighing the prophetic
Each session will be a day long (4 Saturdays, once a month). Morning sessions will be based around teaching with much of the afternoon given over to practical ‘activations’, which are designed to help us push progressively further in praying / prophesying over one another with insight.
We anticipate that their will be a huge response to this opportunity to develop our own prophetic voice under the covering of Chris Meredith and Martin Scott and have made 75 places available on the first school which will be taking place at Amblecote Christian Centre in Stourbridge.
The dates for the schools will be:
Saturday 12th April 2008
Saturday 17th May 2008
Saturday 14th June 2008
Saturday 12th July 2008
Bookings can be made via admin@thenet.org.uk
Costs each day will be £15 per person which will include lunch, coffee, tea and materials. If you book and pay for all four sessions in advance a £10 discount will be available; four sessions, normally £60 - reduced to £50.
We are excited about this move in the Spirit as we continue to journey 2gether4theBlackCountry and we commend it to you in Jesus' name.
Who is Chris Meredith?
Chris lives in Leeds where he is an actively involved in the Body of Christ in a city wide context. He has a degree in modern history and is currently involved in postgraduate research into spatial-literary readings of Biblical Narratives. He has been Involved in personal prophetic ministry for some years, as well as long distance prayer walking across much of the UK and into Europe. More recently Chris has been involved in prophetic input into city-contexts both in the UK and Africa.
Who is Martin Scott?
Martin Scott was born in the Orkney Islands, Scotland. He moved to London to pursue studies in theology and received a B.A from London Bible College. He later completed a unique research project on “The Eschatology of the New Church Movement” for which he was awarded a Masters in Theology from Brunel University. He entered full time ministry in 1986 as a pastor and itinerant evangelist. Martin is widely recognized as an important prayer leader and strategist with a strong prophetic gift. In 1998, he initiated the ministry of Sowing Seeds for Revival in order to encourage groups of churches to come together under a single unified prayer strategy for their city and/or region. Martin regularly leads prayer teams that travel to cities in the USA, Britain, Germany, France, Sweden and Brazil.
John Whitehouse Admin The Net 01384 370365. admin@thenet.org.uk
GLOBAL DAY OF PRAYER---SPECIAL UPDATE
Newsletter no. 2 2008 - British Isles (April 2008)
Dear friends
With only 33 days to go, momentum is building for the Global Day of Prayer. More places and churches are wanting to link in and it is good to see how many different prayer initiatives are linking together in this May/June season of 2008.
News from South Africa
There are now 201 nations participating so far this year of the 220 nations of the world. Please continue to pray for registrations from the remaining nations – Saudi Arabia, Aruba, Cuba, Dominica, Grenada, Martinique, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands of the USA, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Montenegro, San Marino, Falkland Islands, French Guyana, St Pierre & Miquelon, American Samoa, Cook Islands, Nauru, Wallis & Futuna. The 10 day prayer guide and the prayer for the world has been translated into 35 languages and there are also 24 official GDOP websites now linked to the International site.10 Days of prayer – new UK prayer guide available
Many places have indicated that they are taking part. We have been working with
GDOP London and there is now a UK version of the 10 day global prayer guide. Thanks to the generosity of Nationwide Christian Trust we have 50,000 copies available. We have followed the major global themes based on Acts 1-5 and added in focussed prayer points for the UK linking with current issues and events (i.e. police, government, youth, families, environment, education) with prayers for each day and a prayer response based on 2 Chronicles 7:14-16. Sample pages will be available on both the UK and London websites. Order free print versions from the GDOP London office (www.gdoplondon.com) on 0845 652 8600 or info@gdoplondon.com. The guides are also available from Southwark for Jesus offices on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9am-5pm or by other arrangements. Contact: Mark Tomlinson admin@sfj.org.uk or
020 7703 1033.Global Day of Prayer www.globaldayofprayer.co.uk/events
There are now 24 events formally registered for the Global Day of Prayer. Birmingham is hosting its first GDOP event in the grounds of St Philips cathedral and the World Prayer Centre are holding a Day of Prayer on Saturday 10th May linking with GDOP. There are other cathedral events at Chester, Norwich, Beverley Minster and York Minster; Edinburgh is holding a “7 Hills” prayer event; Redditch and Gillingham are having events in stadiums; There are other outdoor events at Northampton and Tamworth and there are joint church events happening at Langport, Sunderland, Doncaster, Hastings & St Leonards, Luton, New Forest, Peterborough, Sheffield, Shropshire, Southampton, and Warrington. The Black Country is hosting events in 4 locations – Dudley, Walsall, Wolverhampton & West Bromwich! (Ed....hoorah!!!!)
Other events are being planned in Northern Ireland and Exeter cathedral is also planning a Pentecost Prayer Picnic on the cathedral green with balloons released with prayers for the nations. If you find yourself in Paris over the Pentecost weekend, we have just had the details from the international church in Paris. Please let us know how you are proposing to join in your area.We are working in London to fill Millwall football stadium with 30,000 people. Please pray for us (I am one of the Trustees) as we continue to build the bridges across the different parts of the Church across the capital and for wisdom as we look to a stadium in North London for 2009 on our journey together to Wembley sometime in 2010.
www.gdoplondon.com. If you find there is nothing in your part of the nation, do feel free to come down to London and join at Millwall Stadium!
90 Days of Blessing
Here in the UK, many churches and groups are involved with Hope08 and the million hours of kindness which individuals, churches and organisations are giving to the nation in this season, links well into this part of the GDOP vision.Bible marathon - read the bible in 90 days!
God has given a brother from the Middle East a clear vision/instruction to issue a call to Christians around the world to read the Bible cover-to-cover in 90 Days. This vision was an answer to GDOP South Africa’s prayers for something to bring deeper impact in the 90 Days of Blessing (12th May – 10th August) and something that will enable every individual to participate. God reveals Himself through His written Word (Luke 24:27). Therefore, a better understanding of who God is, His character and what His will and purpose are for us and the peoples of the world, we need to prayerfully read and study the Word of God. The vision is 100,000 people to read the whole bible in 90 days in 2008, 10 million people in 2009 and 1 billion people in 2010! Many nations have already signed up to be a part – Egypt, India, Indonesia. If you want to commit to the bible marathon, you can register and find info and tools - www.globaldayofprayer.com. You can also join an initiative in Egypt that will commence on 1 October 2008 - www.bible-marathon.com.Resources: www.globaldayofprayer.co.uk
Prayer for the World – the revised 2008 version is available to download in PDF, Word & PowerPoint from the website.
Resource DVD - We have now sold all the DVDs and will not be copying anymore here. If you need more, find someone who has one and make copies (it is copyright free). The DVD label is available to download from the website.Prayer season May-June 2008:
National Day of Prayer for the Police Service: 1st May www.CPAuk.net
Prayer Week: 4th-11th May www.prayerweek.com;Week of Prayer for Parliament and Whitehall: 5th-11th May www.christiansinparliament.org.uk; Deborah Company UK 7th May www.deborahcompany.org.uk; Redeeming our Communities prayer event: 3rd June www.citylinks.org.uk; Trumpet Call VII: 21st June www.worldprayer.org.ukLet’s continue to press on as we pray and work together to see transformation. The 2008 Global Day of Prayer is coming at a time when many nations are facing incredible pressures and we have a part to play to see God’s kingdom come. Isn’t that awesome?
“If my people who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
With thanks for partnership in the gospel!
Jane
Jane Holloway, National Prayer Director; UK Global Day of Prayer Co-ordinator
World Prayer Centre, 5 Ethel Street, Birmingham B2 4BG
Email: prayer@worldprayer.org.ukTony Campolo/YFC Event
Dear Church Leader,
On Wednesday 7th May 2008, Dr Tony Campolo will be speaking twice in Renewal Community Church (Solihull, B91 2JR).
Firstly, at 12:30pm at an invitation-only lunch for Church Leaders, with an opportunity for Q and A afterwards.
Then again at 7:30pm, he will be speaking on “How our faith can offer solutions in our communities” at a large event aimed at Christians - being held in aid of Youth for Christ’s evangelism and work with marginalised teens and young offenders. Flyers are available on request.
We hope to sell upwards of 1300 tickets to this evening event.
Please let Darren Richards know if you are able to:
§ Attend the Church Leader’s lunch with Tony, at 12:30pm on Wed 7th May 08.
Just call Darren Richards on 0121 502 9640 or email Darren.richards@yfc.co.uk to book your place/s.
§ Promote the Evening Event to your church in the coming weeks, and encourage them to buy tickets in advance – to give Darren an idea of numbers. (7.30pm, Wed 7th May 08, £2.50 person - tickets are available from www.yfc.co.uk/campolo or from Darren).
Many thanks
[The lunch is free of charge, but donations to YFC will be gladly accepted if you wish to contribute]