Newsletter

The life and times of a growing church

By Kruger de Kock

Having begun its life as a small bible study group ministering among Afrikaans speakers in the area, our services are currently in the Afrikaans language. However, because we believe that Jesus Christ is the greatest need of everyone, and because we long to introduce the people of this part of London to Him, it is our long term vision to establish a multicultural church with English services as well, in order to serve the various communities here in Canada Water effectively, and express our unity with all God's people in one family under Christ.

It seems that the Lord has provided for us in ways that we could never have imagined! In April 2008 we met with Chris and Zhenya Bear who have heard God's calling 3 years ago to come to London! We pray that they will be helping and equipping us to plant an English congregation in the two years they plan to spend with us. (www.reachengland.org)

If you would like to hear more about Canada Water Church and how you can get involved in praying for us, or if you'd like to be involved in establishing an English language service in the area in connection with CWC, you can contact Kruger.

Southern Mission Support Group (SMSG)

By Barbara Homrighausen

We are delighted to inform you that the SMSG raised £5,800 for India last year. Our church in London collected £1,637 towards this fund which was used for the repair of the manse in Chhapara as well as for the purchase of computers for 2 schools in Lakhnadon and Chhapara. We are most grateful to all those who contributed so generously.

For the 2008-2009 project we are again raising funds for Dumisani Theological Institute and Bible School in King Williams Town, South Africa. Dumisani exists to provide theological training for pastors and other leaders for the Xhosa-speaking churches of South Africa located mainly in the Easter Cape Province. It also publishes Correspondence Courses, booklets for preachers, bible women, youth leaders and Sunday school teachers, and a range of devotional materials. Four churches sponsor Dumisani: The Free Church of Scotland, the East London congregation of the Gereformeerde Kerk, the Free Church in South Africa and the Xhosa-speaking Reformed Church.

After we contributed towards the upgrading and expansion of their Library in 2004, the SMSG will raise funds for the training of Dumisani Administrative Staff this year. Alistair Wilson and the Dumisani Board are very keen on formal staff training since Dumisani is now offering a fully accredited Batchelor of Theology degree in co-operation with the Theological Faculty of North-West University and funds are extremely limited. For further details about the project please pick up the SMSM Newsletter No. 5 on the magazine table.

On Sunday 18 May, Ernest Brown from Knock Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Belfast, will be preaching for us again in the morning service. This will be followed by a fellowship lunch and a power point presentation by Ernest about the word of Dumisani. It will be a great opportunity to get to know more about Dumisani and to get to know each other. As in previous years we shall make Dumisani our special focus of prayer for 2008. Also we shall be collecting funds over a number of weeks in May and June and ask contributors to fill in a gift aid form if they pay tax in this country.

LCPC Spring Conference

By Iain & Bethan Macdonald

On Saturday 26 April a good number of LCPC and Canada Water folk met together at Rotherhithe Evangelical Free Church to consider ‘the Church as a living organism’. The morning session was taken up with a study of the models of the church as described in the Bible, most notably the body, but also the vine, a family, ... how many can you think of? We thought about these biblical church models and applying those, rather than imposing successful worldly models on the church.

In the afternoon we had a short workshop on our ideas of how we could improve a couple of aspects of church life - one on welcoming people to our church, and the other on supporting missionaries in the field with a more personal and warmer relationship - within the context of the morning session.

Sandwiched between the two sessions was an ample hot lunch, an opportunity for fellowship together. The venue was spacious and lent itself well to the day - and the good weather helped too, enabling the children to run around outside.

It was good to meet and spend time together as a congregation in a more informal setting. It would be good to do so on a regular basis, maybe two or three times a year.

Many thanks to Gustavo for organising the day, to Marlene for organising the catering, and to all who helped out on the day and with bringing food.

Canada Water – Outreach

By Suzanne Smalberger

Many of us are moved when we look at the plight of humanity. At the same time the size of the problem compared to the perceived smallness of what we can do as an individual can overwhelm and frustrate us into inaction. Therefore, when I learned of the outreach program Canada Water Kerk planned, I jumped at the opportunity to have a positive impact on a total stranger’s life.

Armed with paintbrushes and (aptly called ‘pistachio’) green paint we arrived with a spirit “to physically be Gods hand and feet” in one person’s life. The charity organisation facilitating the outreach - Besom - have put us in contact with Laurie, who has trouble walking and therefore spends a lot of time alone in his flat - in particular his living room. This was a rundown space with faded brown wallpaper and a window which wouldn’t open - and consequently our focus for the day.

After all the hard work, I can look back and see how a lick of paint and fresh air made a difference to Laurie’s quality of life.  This made me realise again how fortunate and blessed we are, and that through combined action we can move mountains in the Lords name.

New Arrivals

We welcome 3 new baby boys to the congregation – Allan Fraser, Alex Macdonald and Thomas de Kock.  We pray for God’s blessing on them and their families.

Next Newsletter

This will be published in July so if you have any articles to contribute, please let Marina know by the end of June. Thanks.

Henrietta Update

By Murdoch Graham

"During my ten days holiday which I spent in my home territory in Scotland I paid a visit to Henrietta.  She has now relocated to the village of Swordale, Point, Isle of Lewis, to the village where she was born and brought up.  Henrietta is being cared for and looked after by her cousin, Morag Morrison, and by Morag's extended family, who live close by, which includes five grandchildren.  She appears to be keeping much about the same, she looked healthy and well and as usual I was subjected to a barrage of repeated questions.

I was not the only visitor that Henrietta had that week with Cole Abbey/London City connections.  Barbara Homrighausen and Marie-Christine Lux who were attending the Isles Conference in Tarbert, Harris also paid a welcome visit to Swordale.  Another welcome arrival in Swordale was the interesting "This is your Life" Picture Book which Gillian Silva compiled and had forwarded to her.  Indeed I spent some time with both Henrietta and Morag viewing all the photos of friends past and present during the Cole Abbey and London City era.  I hasten to add that I had to correct a few mistaken identities (not on Gillian's part) and Morag took note for future reference.

Highlight of the week was Henrietta joining me for lunch in my new house in Garrabost which we both enjoyed.  I was duly invited to visit her in London should I ever venture down to the Capital! 

May I convey Morag and the family's expression of thanks to the congregation for the help and support that was extended to Henrietta.  Furthermore but not least your continued prayers for her are and will be greatly appreciated"