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So far I have been very busy, and loving every moment of it! Working with the CYO team is amazing, we work hard but have a laugh too, which is important in any job. I've been doing youth work training at the office, and at CYM in Ipswich. I really enjoy learning more about the Bible and specifically what it can teach us about working with young people. I have also been experiencing practical learning when we do lessons and assemblies at school. Being able to discuss with the students how faith affects life is such a great opportunity to get them thinking about God.

 

I've been able to take part in Bible Explorer with Eric, and it was so encouraging to see how enthusiastic the children were about participating. Helping out at Discovery Night, Freeway and Sub-Zero has meant that I can work with young people of various ages.

 

I would like to thank you all for your continued support and prayers, it really does make a difference! Thank you to the church for financial support, and also individuals who have contributed in this way. Your love and generosity is humbling.

 

Rachel Kerry

Christmas Services

 

Children’s Carol Service

10:45am

20th December 2009

 

Fellowship Carols

6:00pm

20th December 2009

 

Carols & Communion

11:15pm

24th December 2009

 

Christmas Celebration

10:30am

25th December 2009

Return to Dunwich

 

On Wednesday 19th August the weather forecast was very good - it was to be the hottest day of the year and on that day it was our over 60’s outing, so what more could we ask for!  We assembled at 10.15 am at Stanway Church and our pastor Eric Blowes, attired in his best summer shorts and T-shirt, gave us a “Thought for the Day” reading from the Bible, John 15 v9. After refreshments we sang with gusto the hymn “My Forever Friend” before we boarded Kings Coach.

 

The Lunch Club, Women’s Fellowship members and Church friends had been invited for this annual outing arranged by Eric and Joyce Spurgeon. The coach was full, lunch had been booked at Dunwich Flora Tearooms at 12 noon, so off we sped on to the A12; over the Orwell Bridge, skirting Farnham, Saxmundham and Yoxford, then on the B1122 road through Middleton and Westleton, arriving at Dunwich beach at noon - a very popular place.

 

After enjoying our meal (the fish & chips is recommended) we continued our journey to Southwold on the A12 via Blythburgh. Some folk were dropped off in Southwold High Street and others by the pier. There we stayed until 3.45 pm and then we had a comfortable journey home, arriving just after 5 pm.

 

The Suffolk countryside was at its best and we noted that in several fields stooking had already taken place and awaiting collection and the pigs and piglets were nestling by their styes on a large pig farm - so there will be plenty of bacon!   In spite of recessions the scene presented proves that seasons come and go and that “We are standing on the Promises of God and He will restore us”! - Jeremiah.   As this outing is a non profit venture, some members took part in a quiz and a money prize was given.  Val was the winner.   Thank you Eric and Joyce for this outing. Can we have another one next year?

 

Eunice Stubbs

Summer of 2009 saw the launch of a DJ ministry which wanted to reach out to a community of young people who have developed an understanding of what they think Church is like but not necessarily experienced the love and presence of God.

 

With this laying heavy on mine (Dale) and Nigel’s hearts, God’s plan departed from its platform on its journey to save. We put in an application for a grant to purchase the equipment needed to run a DJ ministry. That list included CD players, headphones, speakers and much more. We wanted to put 110% into the work we were doing for the Lord so our equipment we needed to do this was industry standard. The grant was accepted and we could continue on our journey to save. We placed our order with a local electrical equipment company and the next day it was ready to collect and bring back to Stanway. I stood outside the warehouse door with my small Clio’s boot up in the air waiting the load the DJ ministry’s brand new equipment into, only to find the warehouse folk laughing at me as they didn’t have a clue how I was going to get all the equipment back to Stanway using just my car. There was loads of equipment ready to move and my Clio couldn’t cope but this was God led and my Dad and his van went right past the ware house as I begun to panic about how I was going to shift the gear. All sorted me, my Dad and the equipment travelled back to Stanway Evangelical Church to the home of Word on the Beat DJ ministry.

 

Since the arrival of the equipment myself and Nigel have been constructing a 10 week programme to run alongside Subzero on a Monday night between 8:30pm and 9:30pm. The programme includes learning about the equipment, using the equipment and producing their very own CD, mixing together two songs seamlessly with most importantly putting God’s ‘Word on the Beat’ on the songs they are using.

 

We have a vision of the ministry having secondary benefits and being used not just for a Monday evening. Prayer cover is so important to this outreach ministry which will be a stepping stone for young people to adapt a more positive and more relative Church for an army of young people hungry to learn more about why we don’t lay in bed watching rubbish cookery programmes on a Sunday morning but get up and go to Church.

 

If you would like to find out more about ‘Word on the Beat’ DJ ministry or fancy yourself as a Terry Wogan or Chris Moyles and would like a spin on the equipment, speak to myself (Dale) or Nigel.  Our journey to save using ‘Word on the Beat’ train is only just leaving and passenger numbers are on the increase.

 

Dale Connelly

Thank you all so much for all your prayers, cards, phone calls, help and offers of help during the summer months. Angela and I are so grateful for all the support that we were given and I am the living proof that prayer really works!  The Lord has really blessed me (twice), it is amazing what He did for me.  I am feeling so much stronger now and am going from strength to strength.

 

David Michelmore

This year camp was incredible.  The camp was mixed, so it was slightly different and everyone was curious to see how the week would go.  We all rekindled old friendships from past years as well as making new friends that would both help, encourage and support us throughout the week and year ahead.

 

Throughout the week we were blessed with many days of beautiful sunshine as well as refreshing rain on other days. However the activities continued and we all enjoyed and benefited from the range that was offered to us. Music, drama, dance, a variety of sport and choice of creative craft were just some of the things available for all ages and abilities.

 

Although I cannot deny that there were some downsides to camp - for example during the day, every day, we had duties and then had to clear out our tent to air the grass which was very tiresome. However these were small prices to pay as there were ninety six people living on site. We also had two trips out of the camp site to Pleasurewood Hills and to go bowling, which were both thoroughly fun and entertaining.

 

I think the best part of camp was Celebration in the evening. This is a time of worship combined with a service, where we sung, praised and listened to testimonies from some of the leaders. We were also very privileged on one night to have a young man called  Rob Joy from “Storming the Nation” (a youth mission) who came to give his testimony (which he has recently written a book about).

 

That night the presence of God was so prominent that it moved people to tears as well as physically healing others. I promise that if you do come to camp you will get an experience. Whether it is meeting new people, making new friends and finding out about Christianity, or whether you are touched and overwhelmed by God.

 

Alice Mead

Rachel’s

Gap.................................................Year

 

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Lighthouse

I was first introduced to what Church was and I loved it. I was then introduced to God and couldn’t get enough of it. My flame had been lit and I wanted to start working for God so I had a vision to follow in the Scott sisters footsteps and head to Africa. Thinking I was doing the ‘right’ things plans dissolved and the recession struck. Lesson one learnt it has to be God led and in God’s time. Since then saving money has begun to get myself and currently Catherine Scott out to Africa to supply the children with the play equipment we purchased. We have spinning plates and bubble sticks. This was all achieved thanks to the kind donations we received when God first put this Africa meal in the microwave. Something which God has made clear to me was I took the Africa meal out of the microwave too soon. I seem to have that problem at home as well, so now that I’ve allowed it to cook and it has still got some time left before it goes ‘ting’, the Africa trip will work to its full potential and spread the love and presence of God from communities sheltered from the most beautiful thing in the world that is God’s unfailing love.

 

Please pray for the right decisions to be made on this mission trip and please if you would like to see what equipment has been purchased thanks to the donations so far come and see me (Dale) and I’ll happily demonstrate the fantastic equipment we will be taking out and leaving for the enjoyment of the children on our forthcoming mission trip.         

 

Dale Connelly

First of all thank you very much for all your support, both prayers and financial, for Beacon House recently regarding our washing machine problems.  Beacon House received two donations from members of Stanway Evangelical congregation, which covered the cost of repairs to the washing machines, and we are pleased to say that they are both working – at present!  The engineers have said that the basic structure of the machines is sound and just to replace the parts as and when they break down.  Some time in the future we will probably have to buy new machines but thankfully it does not appear to be in the immediate future.

 

Our Harvest appeal to churches and schools has been very successful this year and we have been truly blessed with large donations of food and toiletries.  Harvest is the time of year that allows us to replenish our very depleted stocks and hopefully have enough supplies to keep us going throughout the year with the other regular donations we receive.  

 

ECC Mental Health unfortunately has recently changed the criteria of what work and agencies they will support and decided that from September they will no longer fund Beacon House showers and laundry facilities.  This obviously is a big blow to us but with the expertise of our new fundraiser we have been very fortunate to obtain grants to cover the shortfall for this financial year.  However we would appreciate your prayers in helping us seek future funding for this much needed service.

 

Finally in case there are any bargains around in the shops now, our Christmas gift appeal for the clients this year is ‘Take Your Pick’! Presents of hat, gloves, socks (dark colours), boxers (small or medium) and the ever-popular chocolate would be very much appreciated by them.  It has also been suggested that a money belt would be a useful present for the clients to keep their personal documents safe and secure – this can be obtained from Millets.

 

Beacon House is very grateful for all the support that we have received from Stanway Evangelical Church and it is a great comfort to know that we are constantly being prayed for in the work that we do with the homeless.                                   

 

Michelle and Monica