Pastorate 31 October

Looking forward to seeing you all at pastorate this Tuesday (31 Oct). We're meeting as usual at 7.15 in the Crypt.

Julian Marsh (my Dad) will be sharing some thoughts with us but we will be giving priority in the evening to listening to God, and putting into practice what Dave (who will also again be with us) was sharing last pastorate - do therefore come bringing something to share: a prophecy, a song to sing, a verse to share, a word of encouragement for someone... Do be praying about through this as you prepare to come.

Sian's smallgroup are cooking.

**We (as a pastorate) are also doing Ministry Team at church on Sunday morning (29 Oct) - do take this opportunity to be praying for people. If the thought of praying for others as part of a ministry team scares you, why not ask if you can pray along someone else?**


**********************************************************************************
More than a few Woodies up and coming events:
**********************************************************************************

BISC international reception Saturday 28th October

Worship special Sunday evening 29th October

Wholeness Course starts 1st November

Welcome team lunch November 5th

Half night of Prayer for healing conference 9.30-12.30 Friday 10th November

Healing Conference 17th-18th November

Cathedral Carol service 3rd December

Saltmine Theatre Panto @ Woodlands 5th December

Carols by Candlelight & Crib service December 17th
**********************************************************************************

The quiet, domesticated life

Some words from the lovely Ruth Marsh:

"Whilst I was away in Cornwall and had a bit of space to think, I asked God what He might be saying to me from the weeks' experiences, and a couple of pictures and a passage came to mind which I felt were part of God's heart for pastorate that He was sharing with me (us!).

The first picture came from a house-buying TV programme I was watching that morning, and it was of a very sleek-looking fireplace, with metal trimming around it, boxed into a wall. The feature about it that stuck in my mind was that it had a remote control to it, so you could turn the fire up or down as you wished.

The second picture came from a Christian DVD I had also been watching that week called 'Nooma: Flame', and it was one of a HUGE outdoor bonfire; the biggest on I'd ever seen. It was being used in the DVD to illustrate the wildness and enormity of God's love - it certainly was wild and enormous, and you couldn't control it!I felt that God might be speaking to us about the fire of His Spirit - maybe that if we tried to stay in control of things ourselves we'd have a very controlled, domesticated spiritual life at pastorate, but if we dared to invite the Spirit in and obey His leadings and promptings as a pastorate, then fire will burn! (But it might also look quite messy...)

The verse that came to mind was Isaiah 61: 'The spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me; because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the broken-hearted and to announce that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord's favour has come, and with it, the day of God's anger against their enemies. To all who mourn in Israel, he will give beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning, praise instead of despair. For the Lord has planted them like strong and graceful oaks for his own glory.'

Bring it on, God! We love what You do and want to see more of it..."

Amen. A messy life, but a life that brings God's order and God's good news to all who will receive it (me first!)

(Not the band)

... but the place...

After church this Sunday, a bunch of people are going for a pub lunch at the Windmill Inn in Portishead followed by a walk along the coast for an ice cream in Clevedon. All welcome!

Do invite your friends - it's a relaxed atmosphere in which we can get to know one another and have a laugh.

Wilson smallgroup are organising - meeting at the back of church on Sunday morning after the service to grab/offer a lift.

Click here for directions to the Windmill...

Photogenic Dave

He's a good man that Dave, we'll be looking forward to him hanging around our pastorate the next few weeks. Do say hello.

See you at pastorate on Tuesday 17 October, 7.15pm in the Crypt.

Do come on Tuesday with a word of encouragement for someone, a song to sing or a testimony to give. Do come prepared to share the love of God with one another as we work out how to follow Jesus.

Wilson Smallgroup are cooking. See you then!

You can contribute too!

Pastorate Flickr Photo Pool

You can post photos in the PhotoPool too! If you already have a Flickr account, sign in here. If not, it's free to register.

Newcomers Meal

Thursday 12 October

8pm
Upper Hall
Woodlands Christian Centre

A chance to meet the leaders and hear about the vision and values of the King's Arms Pastorate: what we're about, why we do what we do.

RSVP with any dietary requirements to Clair or Amy.