Back To Church Sunday - 30th September

Millions of people who don't go to church would say yes to an invitation from a friend. What if you were that friend? Who would you invite?

'Back to Church Sunday' has caught on in churches everywhere because it is so simple. Since 2004 a quarter of a million people have said "Yes" to the prayerful invitation of a friend. Each year more churches take part and more people come back per church. In 2011 in the Church of England twenty more people came to each church - across all denominations about 77,000 extra people altogether. And at its heart it is the oldest idea of all, the one that made shepherds leave their flocks, fishermen leave their nets, and tax collectors climb out of trees. Someone invited them.

Back to Church Sunday can help you take the shortest step in evangelism: inviting someone you know to something you love. Taking part is as simple as 1 2 3:

1. Collect an invitation from the church
2. Invite a friend who hasn't been in a while to our Patronal Festival
3. Come with them and then take them out for a coffee or a bite to eat afterwards.

Back to Church Sunday 2012 is on 30th September. Let's get those invitations out now!

More photos from Belize

Toby has sent me a few more pictures since he is struggling to log into blogger!  I post them on his behalf, along with his captions:

"The beach Cabana at Hopkins, where we stayed for 4 nights."

"The Bishop's House, where I lived in 1965/6. Still his house today."

"The home of Sue Harris, who organised the Fyffes boat collections their end."

    
There is one more photo with the caption "Indiana and Mrs Jones at a Mayan Temple site".  I have tried to add it to the blog several times but it only downloads the top half of the image, so I will tease your imagination instead!

Katharine

Toby's Trip to Belize

As mentioned in last week's newsletter, Toby and Madi returned from Belize last Monday and I spoke to Toby on Tuesday.  He claimed to be suffering from jetlag but sounded bright and jolly and any tiredness was certainly not apparent!

I asked him to forward to a few photos since I was sure that others in the congregation would like to see them so he's now emailed a few.  Most don't need any explanation (which is good, since Toby hasn't included any captions!)  Others, I have labelled according to what I can recall from our chat on the phone.

Toby and Madi send their best to all at St Michael's as they now truly begin their new life in Deal.

Katharine

Upmarket accommodation ...  Toby and Madi borrowed a car and went exploring Belize for much of their time before returning to Belize City in time for the celebrations for the 200th anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone of the Anglican Cathedral.





Bed and breakfast on the beach ... Toby commented that the most difficult part of the holiday was mastering the art of clambering in and out of the hammock!

'Cave Tubing' 300 feet underground along a river in a rubber ring.

Zip wiring!

A bar in Belize.  The Belizean national bird is the Toucan however ... and he tells me he's brought one home and named it Lulu ... 

Hmm, not sure where this is but it looks beautiful!

Toby, Madi and the Bishop of Belize at the Festive Service to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Cathedral Church of St John the Baptist in Belize City.

St Michael's Festival

I think that everyone who attended the St Michael's Festival held on 18/19/20 May would agree that it was an enormous success. The sheer variety of events, activities, exhibitions and music is a testament to the talent and energy of everyone who took part, and reminds us of the incredible gifts that God has given us to celebrate the work of the Church and our Lord.

The festivities commenced on Friday with a flower festival and exhibitions of creative arts and crafts, shown in the church and the neighbouring Windhill Chuches Centre. The following day there was a family fete in the churchyard. Attractions included a bouncy castel. face painting, stalls selling cakes, plants books and bric-a-brac. There was also a barbecue and ploughman's lunches available.

During the evening, the entertainment continued with a "Music for Springtime' concert. 

On Sunday, the Very Rev Dr Jeffrey John, the Dean of St Albans Cathedral, was guest preacher at the morning's Parish Communion.

The festival culminated with a Songs of Praise service at 6pm , during which the congregation sang their top ten favourite hymns. The two most popular by vote across across all of the parishioners were Be Still for the Presence of the Lord and Father of Mankind.

Here are are a few of the photos taken at the festival that maybe give a flavour of this joyous celebration.

A selection of the precious silverware used at St Michael's

One of the many flower arrangements

Flowers in the Lady Chapel

Part of the Mothers' Union display

Flower arranging and cake artistry 

Replica historical costumes

Model railway display

A 10ft St Alban

Bishops Stortford Decorative and Fine Arts Society

Rev'd Anthony looking rather fierce!

The Boys Brigade display

An example of cross-stich artistry

All about St Michael's (displayed at the local Library)    

"Infograph" about St Michael's

Display from St Michael's School

One of the studies by Anthony Cleyndert for the Windhill Churches Centre stained glass piece.

Barbecue and drinks