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Dear friends
Please find below events & items of news that may prove of interest - feel free to pass this on to others.
- Beacon School of Ministry…Fri 21 Jan
- Thanksgiving service - St. Mark’s Shelton…23 Jan
- Mal Fletcher…Sat 5 Feb
- Sy Rogers…Mon 6 Feb
- Healing Encounters tour…Weds 16 Feb
- Celebration Praise with All Souls, Langham Place…Sat 12 Feb
- Epiphany…Sun 20 Feb
- Forum of Faiths AGM + guest speaker…Thurs 10 March
- Pilgrimage to the Holy Land…Tues 13-Thurs 22 Sept
- Tour of the Holy Land…Fri 21-Sat 29 Oct
- Homeless & Refugee Support
- Nightchurch Update
- ‘A Lost Cause’ by Geoff Grand
- English Active – update
- Putting Jesus back into Easter…your help needed
- Free Group Walks
- CAP Centre
- Help Needed
- Lounge Bookings
- Christian Counselling Service
- Healing Rooms
- Challenge North Staffs: reporting hate crime
- Saltbox…practical donations needed
- PhoneLink Volunteers Needed
- Fostering: a career that changes lives
- Vacancy: Youth Development Worker
- Vacancy: Constituency office vacancy
- Stairlift for sale
Every Blessing
Lloyd
Beacon House of Prayer – New School of Ministry
Listening to God & growing in the prophetic
When: Friday evenings during January to April
Time: 7-9pm sessions
Venue: Beacon House, 550-552 High St, Sandyford, ST6 5PD
Tel: 01782 827238
Programme:
21 Jan - God speaking
4 Feb - God weighing
18 Feb - God leading
4 Mar - God dreaming
18 Mar - God acting
1 Apr - God outreaching
Register by email at thebeaconhop@btconnect.com or sign up at Beacon house (no charge but donations welcome)
Invitation to Thanksgiving Service
St Mark’s, Shelton is pleased to announce that Phase 2 of our building refurbishment and redecoration has been completed. This has included a refreshing of the paintwork of the interior of the main worship space, new carpeting, and a renewing of the office spaces within the building. These improvements complement those made in the first phase of the refurbishment which delivered two redecorated and updated meeting rooms, an extended gathering area in the entrance of the church building, a brand new kitchen, and new toilet facilities (including a disabled access toilet and baby changing provision).
We believe that these facilities could provide opportunities for possible community and business uses such as: concerts, public lectures, graduation ceremonies, luncheon clubs, training seminars, language classes, celebration events, art exhibitions, day retreats, and residents’ association events. We would like to invite you to come and view these new facilities and join with us in imagining the way that they could be shared by the local community.
On Sunday23 January at 4pm we will be joined by the Bishop of Stafford, Geoff Annas, for a service of Thanksgiving. This will be an opportunity to meet with members of the local community and to engage with our vision that this will be another significant step towards making St Mark’s, Shelton with Etruria a worship centre fit to serve the heart of Stoke on Trent.
Guest speaker: Mal Fletcher:
Mal Fletcher is a global conference and event speaker, author, media commentator, leadership expert and TV and radio broadcaster. He is Chairman for 2020Plus; a leadership and communications consultancy which is helping business, media and community groups around the world to proactively engage future change. As one of Europe's leading social commentators, Mal has appeared on BBC World News, BBC Breakfast TV, BBC Radio, PressTV and many more.
Date: Saturday 5 February
Time: 2.00pm
Venue: Bethel City Church, leek Road, Abbey Hulton, ST2 8BY
Further details: 01782 537079
FREE ENTRY
Guest speaker: Sy Rogers
Sy's unique life and three decades of ministry have inspired and encouraged audiences from the Royal Albert Hall to many of the world's most influential pulpits such as Hillsong Sydney, City Harvest Singapore and Calvary Chapel Ft Lauderdale, Florida. Regarded as a gifted communicator, award winning talk show host, recording artist and pastoral care specialist, Sy is a leading voice regarding sexuality, cultural themes and God's character.
Date: Monday 7 February
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: Bethel City Church, Leek Road, Abbey Hulton, ST2 8BY
Further details: 01782 537079
FREE ENTRY
2011 Healing Encounters Tour
In 2011, Roy and Lydia Todd will be touring throughout the UK as well as into Europe and America with a brand new event called ‘Healing Encounter’. They’ll be accompanied by Dave Bell and the Grapevine Band. Dave will be performing some of his new music as well as sharing his own incredible story of healing. Thousands of people have been impacted through events led by Roy Todd over the past decade - including many incredible miracles. We are expecting many people to respond to the message of Jesus at this event as well as experiencing healing too.
Date: Wednesday 16 February
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: Bethel City Church, Leek Road, Abbey Hulton, ST2 8BY
FREE ENTRY
Celebration Praise - with the Choir & Band of All Souls, Langham Place
An evening for everyone with good music to listen to, songs to join in with & some food for thought.
Date: Sat 12 Feb
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: St Andrew’s Church in the Westlands, Newcastle-under-Lyme
Tickets: Adults - £8, Children - £4 & Families (2 adults & up to 3 children) - £20
For more information call Bethan on 07962 180755 or Fiona on 07709 958372 or email bethan.thompson@btinternet.com
Join Epiphany for their series of relaxed and entertaining, hour long Sunday evening coffee concerts. Each concert starts at 8:15pm (7:45pm for tea / coffee & cake) at St George’s Church, Poynton, Cheshire
Tickets are £8, £5 concessions / unwaged, free for under 18’s
Special offer for season tickets for 2010 / 2011 series £32 (£20) offering 5 concerts for the price of 4
20 February 2011 – Beethoven Horn Sonata & Mozart String Quintet
17 April 2011 – Spring concert – featuring Beethoven ‘Spring’ Sonata & Mendelssohn Piano trio
19 June 2011 – Mendelssohn String Octet – an exciting climax to our series
Tickets available at the door, or season tickets in advance, please call 01625 858802
For more information, visit Epiphany’s website at http://www.epiphanymusic.org.uk/
North Staffs Forum of Faiths
Annual General Meeting
Guest speaker: Professor Christine King, Vice Chancellor at Staffs University
Theme: “Keeping Faith in Troubled Times”
Date: Thursday 10 March
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: Equality House, 75-77 Raymond Street, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent. ST1 4DP
All welcome.
Further information email Mary Bellamy: if.f.coordinator@gmail.com
Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
Dates: 13 - 22 September
Where: 10 day Pilgrimage to the Holy Land, visiting Jerusalem, Dead Sea and Galilee (Full Board)
Flying from Luton & returning to Heathrow, coach arranged from Stoke.
More information contact Rev Stuart Hickerman, local Methodist Minister, on 01782 255469
Tour of the Holy Land
Led by: John & Linda Marshall, Pastors from Church Lane Evangelical Church, Stafford
Dates: 21 – 29 October (Half Term)
Cost: £1395 – includes all fares, entry to all the sites, 4* hotels (half-board), coach & guide, all gratitude’s
Visiting Jerusalem, Dead Sea, Galilee, Masada, Bethlehem, Nazareth & much more
For more information call 01785 242635 / 254331 or email pastor.churchlane@btinternet.com
Information leaflet is now available to download on the Saltbox website www.saltbox.org.uk
This leaflet includes:
~ Where to get hot food
~ Where to get clean clothes
~ Where to get a wash
~ Where to get accommodation
~ Some important telephone numbers
Nightchurch Update from Catherine Cowell
Hi Everyone!
Thank you so much for all your support this year. 2010 has been a really exciting year for us all at Nightchurch!
This year has seen us:
· Open every Friday Night
· The launch of the Under 18's Nightchurch on the monthly Tuesday night under 18 events at Liquid.
· We have increased our profile in the city, working in partnership with Street Pastors, Saltbox, The Police and the NHS Health Improvement Team and The Beacon amongst others.
· We have also joined the Nightlife Partnership, which connects us to the police and the other night time venues.
· We have done lots of work behind the scenes with our team, including the formation of a steering group and the development of our leadership team, developing health safety policies and working towards independent charity status.
· We've given Nightchurch a facelift. The front of the building looks just fantastic and our team can now be seen sporting their lovely new T-Shirts and jackets!
· And who can forget our launch event in June!
Best of all, we have continued to make a real difference to the people who are out on a Friday night in Hanley. We have kept people safe. We have comforted the bereaved, welcomed the lonely and listened to the broken hearted. We have been a safe space for many people to talk about life and faith. People who see themselves as spiritual, but don't know where else to have those sorts of conversations. Lots of people have welcomed an offer of prayer. Some have encountered God.
We will never know how many fights didn't happen because the people, who would have started them, spent an hour with us drinking coffee and chatting in the middle of their evening out. We do know that more and more people are making Nightchurch a regular part of their Friday nights in Hanley. Last Friday, we made a birthday cake for one of our regular visitors. Complete with candles and singing of 'Happy Birthday'. She was overwhelmed by our generosity and left Nightchurch, cake in hand, feeling valued.
Last Friday also saw us working with the Street Pastors for the first time. They were out on the streets on Friday night - and sometimes in The Lounge warming up! This promises to be a really special partnership to enrich the city centre at night.
Over Christmas this year, we have been giving out presents and, together with Simon Sutcliffe's VFX project we have made the bold decision to hold Midnight Mass at Nightchurch on Christmas Eve. Nightchurch will also be open on New Year's Eve, which promises to be a busy night.
I am excited about 2011. There are lots of opportunities for Nightchurch. We often get requests from the young people, who visit, for us to be open on Monday nights (which is student night in Hanley) and we have begun to have conversations with local students about this. And looking to the future, I am sure Nightchurch is a model which would work well in other places as well as Hanley.
In 2011, we plan to strengthen and increase our team, so that we can make the most of the opportunities that are open to us, to reach out with practical love and care to the clubbers of Hanley and beyond.
Thanks for all your support, time and prayers. Unity is one of our core values. We couldn't do this without your continued support and friendship. Thank you!
Best wishes
Catherine Cowell (on behalf of Nightchurch and the team)
Email: cowellcatherine@yahoo.com
PS: For those of you who support us in prayer (thank you so much!); here are some prayer points for the coming months:
- New Volunteers. Especially those aged 18 – 30
- Continued financial support in 2011
- Deeper unity and friendships within our new volunteer teams serving together
- An increase in divine appointments and God ordained conversations with our guests
- That Nightchurch will be a magnet and draw in larger number of young people on a night out in 2011
It’s a short biography by Geoff Grand showing how lives can be changed by the power of God.
Priced at only £3.50 it is available from the Methodist Book Shop in Hanley.
Do you have church members, friends or colleagues at work whose first language is not English? Please encourage them to attend our free English lessons for speakers of other languages (ESOL). English Active is a Christian programme that encourages faith whilst teaching English. Our weekly lessons include interesting readings, songs, discussions, activities and more.
Lessons are open to all, regardless of gender, race, religion or nationality. The course is designed for adults who have at least a basic knowledge of English. It is not a complete ESOL course. This is a special programme because it is faith-based language support. Lessons and resources have a Christian content, including Bible study.
We have a small group who have been attending for two months now. Just to give you a little idea of how things are going, one of the Sri Lankan students wrote at Christmas: “Dear English teacher, You are very kind to me every time. I learned more things in English as well as Religion. Thank you Very much and every blesses to you.”
(**Please note: The day and time has changed in January**)
When: Every Saturday, 10:30-12:30
Where: Hanley Baptist Church, 53 Regent Road, Hanley, ST1 3BT
Cost: Free!
For more information call: 0845 6434084
Email: info@mayihelp.co.uk
Visit: http://www.englishactive.mayihelp.co.uk/
P.S. If you are interested in hosting a class at your church or community centre, participating in or supporting this project, please get in touch!
Putting Jesus back into Easter
It's hard to believe that, out of the whopping 80 million chocolate Easter Eggs sold each year, not one of them mentions Jesus on the box. Until now that is.
The Real Easter Egg is the first and only Fairtrade chocolate Easter Egg to explain the Christian understanding of Easter on the pack. It also supports charity and development projects - buying everything from medical equipment for new mums here at home, to chicken and fresh water for farmers in Africa.
It would be great if all our supermarkets stocked The Real Easter Egg everywhere, but we need to prove demand before they will. This is where you can help...
If you are connected to a school, church or ethical business, then you can help us win over all the stores.
Join the Real Easter Egg campaign today.
http://www.realeasteregg.co.uk/
We are a local charity based in Stoke-on-Trent who offer FREE led group walks to adults living in Stoke-on-Trent. The project is funded by Stoke-on-Trent NHS and we aim to get adults more active, more often by encouraging them to walk in their local area, in order to reduce the prevalence of illnesses and diseases such as diabetes and obesity.
Our walks are for everybody, no matter what their age and capability. We have walks taking place every day of the week across the City and the walks take around 45 minutes to an hour to complete. Every walk is led by our trained volunteer walk leaders and our walks also have a strong social aspect to them, with many of our walkers forming friendships.
For more information about the walks call the team on 01782 831900 or email walks@stadiumcommunities.org.uk or visit the website http://www.stadiumcommunities.org.uk/
Please encourage anyone you know in any amount of debt to call free on 0800 328 0006 to arrange an appointment with a local Debt Coach.
For more information about Stoke-on-Trent CAP Centre email benhodgson@capuk.org or call Bethel City Church's Offices on 01782 537 079
Looking for a person (preferably female) to stay with a disabled lady while husband needs to go out. It could be mornings, afternoons or all day.
This is suitable for someone who likes to make a difference to a handicapped person. It is the northern end of the City. Transport cost will be reimbursed, but it could be the start of a Part Time job.
Telephone 01782 839983 Best times: 5 - 7pm
Invite Simon the Clown to entertain at your special event, party, fun day, fundraiser, fair or fete, indoors or outside (weather permitting)!
Simon is a Christian entertainer, based in Stoke-on-Trent, specialising in amazing balloon sculptures.
Fully insured, enhanced CRB check, featured in the Sentinel.
Check his website for more details: http://www.simontheclown.mayihelp.co.uk/ or call 07843 288434
Need a place to book for meetings or training days?
Why not book the Lounge, £8 per hour,
Venue: The Lounge, Gitana Street, Hanley, ST1 1DY
For more information contact Jyoti Whicker on 01782 207200 or email jyoti@stlabox.org.uk
CCS Counselling Service offers confidential counselling for anyone who feels they need help. It is open to people of any faith or no faith.
It is a voluntary organisation staffed by qualified Christian counsellors. Counselling takes place above the Methodist Book Centre in Hanley and also at the Bridge Centre.
There is no fixed fee, but a donation of at least £15 per session would be welcome.
For more information call 07980 387847
Healing Rooms – No appointment necessary and there is no charge
What are healing rooms? For people in need of physical, mental or emotional healing to come and
encounter the healing power of God through Jesus Christ.
What do we offer? A trained, caring, ministry team who will listen and pray for you.
When are we open? Every Wednesday
Opening Times: 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Place: Beacon House of Prayer, 550 High Street, Sandyford. ST6 5PD
For more info email: thebeaconinfo@btconnect.com
Challenge North Staffs – reporting hate crime
Challenge North Staffs (CNS) is a new organisation which aims to promote the reporting of Hate Crime in the North Staffordshire area. We work with voluntary organisations such as Disability Solutions and North Staffs MIND, as well as the Police and Local Authorities.
CNS works towards the elimination of hate incidents in North Staffordshire to enable all members of the community to live in peace, free from fear, abuse or discrimination.
Hate Crime is defined as any criminal offence committed against a person or their property that is motivated by hatred of someone because of their:
- Disability (including disability due to mental health),
- Race, colour, ethnic origin, nationality or national origin,
- Religion,
- Gender or sexual identity,
- Sexual orientation or
- Age
Hate Crime takes many forms and it can include physical attacks, damage to property, theft, offensive graffiti, threats, intimidation and bullying. CNS will also deal with discriminatory incidents that are not crimes, such as being refused entry into pubs or clubs.
CNS’s first step is to encourage reporting of all hate incidents and then we will offer advice and assistance to those affected. Therefore it is paramount that we advertise our service to the North Staffs community and we would be very grateful if you would allow our publicity material to be displayed on the premises.
It is easy to report an incident and anyone who witnesses or experiences any hate incident should contact us. Our telephone number is at the top of this letter. Any Information we receive is confidential and will only be passed on with permission.
Anyone requiring further information can contact me, the Project Officer, on the above telephone number or by e-mail at julie.wood@stoke-cab.org.uk.
A reporting form can also be completed by assessing the website http://www.blogger.com/www.challengenorthstaffs.org.
Community Chaplaincy Project…working to rehabilitate ex-offenders
Saltbox is in need of bedding, curtains, cutlery, crockery, saucepans and other kitchen equipment to stock their houses. As well as these items we would be grateful for our tenants, such as socks, toiletries, personal products, chocolate and many more. Donations of these items would be much appreciated.
For further information contact us at 17 Regent Road, Hanley or by phone on 01782 252708
PhoneLink Volunteers Needed - Telephone befrienders needed
Time to spare, regularly or occasionally?
Join our growing band of befrienders – they made 353 phone calls to 121 older people last week
Please consider becoming a ‘friend on the phone’ and help them to make even more!
Please contact Jan Ellor 01782 265651 or email jan@saltbox.org.uk
Fostering: a career that changes lives
Stoke-on-Trent Fostering Service needs to recruit more foster carers for children of all ages. We need carers for babies, brothers & sisters, disabled children who need a short break and foster carers who can look after a child or young person until they move into independence.
We can offer:
- A tax free allowance
- A choice of carefully matched placements
- Full training and support
For more information call 01782 234555 or visit www.stoke.gov.uk/fostering
Vacancy: Youth Development Worker
Salary £17,500 (Year 1)
The Longton Fellowship of Christian Churches seeks a Youth Development Worker, qualified to JNC level 2, to be part of the mission team working among young people in the diverse community of the Longton area of Stoke-on-Trent. We wish to build upon links already established with local schools and colleges, as well as the wider community.
The post is intended to run for one year initially, with the aim of extending this to three years, subject to the availability of funding.
Support will be provided by North Staffs Youth for Christ.
All enquiries and expressions of interest, please contact Revd. John L. Titlow
5, Alexandra Crescent, Uttoxeter, ST14 7LQ or 01889 564482 or john.titlow@btopenworld,com
Closing date: 16 February 2011
Vacancy: Constituency office vacancy - Stoke South Constituency: Rob Flello MP
Key Tasks
To work as a member of an integrated team providing support to me in my Parliamentary duties both in Stoke-on-Trent South and at Westminster. The role ultimately will be multi-faceted encompassing all of the traditional duties of an MP’s assistant, including the following.
· Carry out research into local, regional and international issues as required, ensuring I am made aware of any relevant issues
· Identify any issues to assist me in my parliamentary work.
· Provide advice and support to constituents on a variety of issues through liaison with Government agencies, the voluntary sector and others to resolve matters
· Prepare and issue correspondence and other written material as appropriate, including an ability to design materials so as to be more easily digested.
· Manage diary.
This includes work of a complex nature requiring the job holder to work independently and to liaise with senior level contacts.
Key Responsibilities
- Respond effectively, courteously and independently to routine correspondence and enquiries from constituents, the media, lobbyists and pressure groups
- Undertake research, usually from secondary sources, on complex and difficult subjects. Analyse and evaluate research and interpret data ensuring key issues are identified.
· Prepare and present results both orally and in writing e.g. for parliamentary questions, briefing notes for committees, articles and press releases.
· Provide briefings and potential questions to me and motions to be put to the house.
· Monitor bills, Early Day Motions, legislation, Hansard, debates, etc.
· Monitor coverage in the media, and liaise with the media when necessary.
· Advise and guide me on policy issues.
· Attend surgeries and other meetings to assist me in dealing with constituents’ issues.
· Deal with daily queries from members of the public by phone or in person, taking the appropriate initial action to resolve or document or escalate their concerns or enquiries.
· Gather information from constituents to progress or close the case in a sensitive and confidential manner.
· Progress casework through liaison with local and national bodies, government agencies, lobby groups, etc. and effectively research local, regional or national issues.
· Analyse patterns of enquiries and produce appropriate material.
· Be responsible for design of appropriate material including website.
· Maintain, update and develop knowledge of relevant legislation.
· Ensure records are kept, with details of each issue by adhering to the Data Protection Act principles and respect the confidentiality of data at all times.
· Communicate effectively with both internal and external contacts.
· Competent use of IT including Microsoft Office package, email and internet to: draft correspondence and reports; set up and maintain spreadsheets, undertake research and design material including web-pages.
Salary is £23,000 pa for a 38hr week, usually Monday to Friday although some evening and weekends are expected.
Email applications to include a CV & covering letter explaining why the candidate feels qualified for the post to be sent to Rob Flello MP: flellor@parliament.uk
For sale: Stairlift
Excellent condition.
Open to offers.
Contact Martin Drew on 07757702206 or email: m.drew169@btinternet.com
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