Caring Christmas Trees website

Yes, this year you can help the homeless by buying a Caring Christmas Tree! Please have a look at www.caringchristmastrees.com for all the information on how to buy, how to volunteer and how to tell your family and friends. This is a great opportunity to let hundreds, hopefully thousands about the work that we are doing! There will be a big push at King's Church on the 15th and 22nd of November but it will be personal recommendations that will be so important.

Christmas Cards 2009

Yes Christmas is coming!! This year Peter Dean who started coming to the Feast about 18 months ago has designed Christmas Cards that he is selling with proceeds going to the Project. The cost is £3 for a pack of 8 cards or £5 for 2 packs (16 cards). If you would like to buy some cards they will be available on Sundays shortly or contact the office 020 8690 4646, ask for Teresa.

How social action and sunday meetings merge together!

The longer I am involved in social action the more convinced I am that the church is the answer for our world. In Isaiah 61 there is a promise that those who were once hidden in shame, guilt and in chains will be transformed and become those who strengthen the church. So I know where I want us to get to but I am realistic that there is a journey for people to get there.



So in the last 2 weeks meetings I have seen people who have been at the bottom of the pile (in care, broken relationships, crime, prison, addiction, mental health issues) in society serving at church on our welcome teams, praying out in meetings, taking on board truth they have heard, leading meetings. And at the same time I have seen others who have been at the bottom of the pile (in care, broken relationships, crime, prison, addiction, mental health issues) in society who 'make church meetings more interesting or more challenging' - so threatening to hit someone, angry and tearful about theirs lives, displaying a strong physical response to fear.



All above is the church at its best. In each of the 3 more interesting/challenging scenarios mentioned above I am aware that this could have been a major disturbance on one of our meetings. When I walked towards the person physical throwing himself about I am not sure how they will respond. Thankfully in that situation there was a positive conclusion. We must always be aware that by reaching out and helping those who are in great pain that there will be mess and will challenge some of our normal expectations. I know that when people feel accepted for who they are we have the potential to help them make the journey to the place where they can build the church!

Loads of training opportunities!

Coming up in the next few months

17th October - Mental Health training @ Kings
30th October - 1st Aid training @ King's
Dates yet to be confirmed for the Basic Food Hygiene

Please contact Teresa Montague at King's tmontague@kingscentre.org.uk to book a place.

The following is information about the very good“Prison Ministry Conference”, which is run by Holy Trinity Brompton on Friday 20th November.
Many churches have been experiencing a growing passion amongst members and leaders to reach out to those on the margins of society, including prisoners, ex-offenders, youth in deprived areas and those battling addictions. This conference will help to address the question “what can we do to reach these people in our prisons and on our streets?” and is an attempt to envision, equip and refresh any church/ministry leader, team or volunteer who is, or would like to be, involved in this ministry.
The material will include big picture visions, practical training, and moving testimonies and would suit leaders from churches or organisations of all sizes and denominations as well as their teams and volunteers who want to move ahead in this area.
More information is available from our website:http://www.htb.org.uk/conferences/prison-ministry-conference
Book now Click here to book online

What makes a great Feast night?

The Feast is the outreach meeting that takes place every Wednesday night from 7.30 - 9.30. Last night was a special evening!!
1. A Full room - every seat was taken last night.
2. A peaceful atmosphere - I don't remember a single argument last night.
3. Great Food - it wouldn't be the Feast without the fabulous kitchen team.
4. Rough Sleepers - and whilst I would prefer there to be NO rough sleepers, I know they exist and I want them to be welcome at the Feast!
5. A great talk - Nick was very relaxed and communicated a simple message that God thinks you are important!
6. Prayer - there were many opportunities to pray with people throughout the evening.
7. Linking people on to other events; interviews for our housing project, the Lifegroup on Friday mornings, to Alpha, to language school.
8. Seeing residents and former residents serving with passion and delight. It is a wonderful thing.
9. Friends of the Feast who have moved on positively in their life coming back to say "hello".
10. A journalist doing interviews for Premier Radio asking why do you get involved in caring for the community.
11. I love the combination of Feast and church prayer meeting - for many reasons, here one example. Last night a lad came back to the Feast after roughly 3 years away. Very shortly after he arrived, a family arrived for the prayer meeting who had known him fairly well when he was last around. A conversation then followed about coming back to King's and needing to get right with God. He is planning to be at King's on Sunday.

Well there's 11 things that make a great Feast night. It has been a fabulous start to the term. The Christmas Feast is on the 23rd December and the Choir will be performing again, rehearsals start in November.

Homelessness Training

Introduction to Homelessness training – new dates

Housing Justice runs a one day training workshop on homelessness and related issues. It is particularly aimed at volunteers in churches and smaller homelessness projects or people new to working in the field.

The training covers: Role of the statutory and voluntary sector; homelessness law and local authority duties; mental health awareness; drugs and alcohol awareness; boundaries/dealing with conflict.

Dates Saturday 3 October and Saturday 14 November 10.00am-4.00pm
Venue: Housing Justice 22-25 Finsbury Square London EC2A 1DX
Nearest tube: Moorgate

Please speak to me if you are interested in going. It will not cost you, the project will cover the costs.

ENCOUNTER CAMP 2009

Encounter took place between 17th - 21st August in Lenchwood, near Evesham. There were 18 in our group and it was a great time, for some it was a very significant time! It is always difficult to write about other people's inner healing but I am sure the evidence will be clear to see. People discovered forgiveness, the gifts of the spirit and how to find their identity in Christ.

The days consistes of a morning session on a biblical theme, followed by sports and games until lunchtime. Then a workshop such as drama or art and then a recovery based group at 4.30. Everyone eats an evening meal together before the main evening meeting which consists of worship, teaching and ministry.

The weather was the best yet, anything would be better than the last 3 years of heavy rain, despite this year the strong wind taking out a few tents! It was a very relaxed week and I can safely say that everyone enjoyed it and no-one asked to come back to London! Please pray that those who attended will continue to seek God for their daily needs and continued healing