the red pill

So, Let's be gracious with each other. Thanks to Jon @ ASBO Jesus for this

The Two agencies I'd like to point you to for making a donation are the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) and Baptist World Alliance . Clicking on the picture for each agency ought to take you to thier site. The DEC is a coalition of 13 humanitarian aid agencies: ActionAid, British red Cross, CAFOD, Care International, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide, Help the Aged, Islamic Relief, Merlin, Oxfam, Save the Children, Tearfund and World Vision. Baptist World Aid (BWAid), the relief and development arm of the BWA, is mobilizing search, rescue, and relief teams. A team from BWAid Rescue24, the search and rescue arm of the international Baptist aid organization is in Florida in the United States awaiting clearance to fly into Port-au-Prince, or to travel via the Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti. Negotiations are under way to have another BWAid Rescue24 team of 12 person s, who are experts in search and rescue missions, to travel from Hungary to Hai

Over on the God's Politics Blog, Jim Wallis written a thoughtful piece about the current crisis in Haiti. I'm republishing here, but if you look at the original article, you'll find the comments as well. Haiti: God Is Suffering With Those Who Are Suffering by Jim Wallis 01-14-2010 There are times when events make everything else pale in comparison. I’m in Los Angeles today on my book tour, but the news of Tuesday’s 7.0-magnitude earthquake hitting Haiti is one of those times. Over the past few hours, I haven’t been able to take my eyes off CNN. The tragedy in Haiti is unbelievable — the pictures of the pain and destruction are haunting. My heart breaks for the families and the victims of this tragedy. Information continues to develop, but what we already know staggers the imagination. Both the Haitian prime minister and consul general to the U.N. have said that as many as 100,000 people are likely to have died. The International Red Cross estimates that one-thi

Tonight we'll be praying about the small groups and nurture that takes place at Tab, and so topics we'll pray for include: The current HouseGroups (Claregate 1, Claregate 2, Dorcus, Lower Penn, Parkfields, Virtual HouseGroup, Whitmore reans, Wolverhampton North) The Nurture Group Future groups (a youth housegroup? A Finchfield / Penn 2 housegroup?) Other smaller groups in the church The meditative / reflective space will be available again, and we look forward to seeing as many of you as can be there, but recognice that the snow might put a few off, so do please pray at home.

John, our Deacon for Administration, will be leading the lunchtime session today, and will be focussing our prayers on the administration of the church, and for some the wider networks to which we belong. Topics for prayer will include: Admin support for the Pastor Deacons' elections in 2010, when we'll be seeking new deacons for Maintenance, Pastoral Care Looking forward to 2011 when we'l be looking to appoint a new Deacon for Administration Baptist Association relationships - Heart of England Baptist Association (HEBA) & the Baptist union (BU) The Charity Registration process we are currently involved in. Tonight we'll be praying for nurture and small groups in the church, I'll post topics later today.

The snow is falling once again, so if you decide not to come to the prayer meeting, or if you're unable to but would like to join others in prayer, then these are some of the topics we'll be covering this evening: The power of God’s Holy Spirit to enable, inspire and embolden us in evangelism That we make the most of opportunities we currently have (Stay and Play, Unity1, Contact, Mayday Festival, Football Car Parking) That people grow in confidence in sharing faith That we’d have wisdom about the right next steps in evangelism for the whole church For the creation of a team to work alongside Christina, Deacon for Evangelism For wisdom in choosing the right introduction to Christianity course (Alpha, Christianity Explored, Essence, Journeys etc) The use of the church website, and other possible online ways of doing evangelism Another evangelism course for church members this year (Contagious Christianity, or Just Walk Across the Room) Alongside this you may

Well, the snow has stopped falling, and the roads seem to be clearing, so if you're able to join us then we'll be praying from 13.00-14.00 today around the theme of Community Development. Topics we'll cover will include: To be ready in love and action to minister the gospel Being clothed with the armour of God Local & wider Community Integration within the community Good partnerships with other agencies Mayday festival & other outside events Those who utilise the church building for events The marginalised Those with addictions Cross Cultural mission Schools Vulnerable adults Older generation Tonight, from 19.30-21.00 we'll be meeting to pray about the evangelistic life of the church, as well as having the reflective / meditative prayer space open once more. I'll post prayer points later for those who are unable to join us.

Our Week of Prayer is here, with themes of confession, repentance, renewal, revival. We're referring to 2 Chronicles 7, and using that great reply of God as a basis for much of what we share, as well as praying over the wide range of activities and interests of the church here. This morning we had 10 hardy souls brave the very icy conditions for a time built around Morning Prayer from the Northumbria Community. Today at 13.00-14.00 we'll be focussing on prayer for our Children's ministries. Included in the topics we pray for will be: Thanksgiving for growth in numbers and spiritual growth in all sections of Children's work on Sundays (Bubbles, JAM and Sprouts) Prayers for expansion of our outreach i.e Stay and Play, Messy church, a possible youth house group, links to local schools etc. Prayer for leaders, especially those starting this term and for new leaders to be called to work in Sprouts and new areas of work. This evening we'll be meeting from 19.30-21.00