Periodically, The One E-newsletter will be sent out to church leaders and all of those who subscribe, with items for praise and prayer, and information of what is happening across the churches and Christian agencies serving our town.
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Previous editions:
February 19
Honour Your Leaders
At the end of 1 Thessalonians, Paul tells the Christians he writes to about the importance of honouring (recognising, respecting) those who lead them. Even those who have reason to admonish or rebuke them. It is important to identify and be grateful for 'those who work hard among you' (5:12) and, 'hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work...'
I was deeply touched that so much time and attention was given at the recent Second Sunday prayer evening to pray for pastors, vicars, leaders from all the different Christian traditions in the town. Your prayers are very much needed. The church leaders I spend most time with are under enormous pressure, underappreciated and in need of every bit of encouragement they can get.
It is also pertinent that we recognise and honour Janet Hosier, co-founder of Watford New Hope trust, who passed away on Thursday. We thank God for her life, her example, her selfless lifestyle that God used powerfully to touch the lives of Watford's homeless.
The details of Janet's thanksgiving service follow, along with other information and suggested prayer points for you to use in your own intercessions.
In a world so full of cynicism towards leaders (not least those who lead within the Church), may we all take heed of Saint Paul's exhortation and 'live in peace with each other. '
For Christ's sake,
- Tim Roberts (Moderator - Christians Across Watford)
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Minister's Breakfast, YMCA, 1 March - RSVP
Coming very soon - the next minister's breakfast is a week on Saturday. 0830-1000 on 1st March. This invitation is open to clergy and lay leaders in all of Watford's churches. A charge of £5 per head is requested to cover costs. Steve Motyer will be speaking briefly at the breakfast on behalf of the Watford Christian Councelling Service. You must book your place by e-mailing Chris Cottee ASAP.
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HOPE 2008 update - more information to follow shortly including:-
Details of Give Blood Easter on 19 March
High Hopes exhibition
Good Friday Walk of Witness
Watch this space!
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Face2Face
A local ensemble of Christian musicians who have ministered widely in Watford and internationally are proud to announce their next concert:
Come and enjoy an evening of musical excellence and friendship with Face2Face as they share the Father's love through a unique blend of music from classical, rock, jazz, pop, ballads, opera and Christian songs. All welcome.
One FREE place if you book a table of 8 - 10 people - why not invite your friends, family or work colleagues. Saturday 1st March 2008 The Chapel, Porter's Park Drive, Shenley (Near St Albans), Hertfordshire 7.30 pm for 8.00 pm - Tickets 12.00 (Concessions 10.00)Light refreshments included.Contact: Christine on 01727 827092 or Ann on 01707 642193
New CD - Arms of Love - www.face2facemusic.co.uk/face2face-music-CD.html
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Next united prayer event: Sunday 9 March, 8pm at Holy Rood Catholic Church.
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PRAYER POINTS:
Spiritual revival in our churches - ask God for the life and power of the Holy Spirit to enthuse, reawaken and empower our witness in this community for the glory of Christ our King
The family and friends of Janet Hosier as they come to terms with their loss and celebrate her fruitful life
Your church leader(s) - continue to uphold them in prayer - as well as those churches looking to appoint a new minister
Our community leaders including Mayor Dorothy Thornhill, local councillors, policemen and others who serve in public life
Watford Community Church as they pursue further finance and planning permission to build The Wellspring Church Centre on the former Watford Springs site
Unity in our churches including the deeper integration of black majority/ethnic churches - that we might truly serve as one church in this town and for this town.
31st Oct
Stand up, speak up, reach out
Sometimes we get worked about the wrong things. A grumpy Christian man recently approached me and vented his frustration at the moral slide in society, the sinful acts of sinful people. He said the Church should be more openly condemning all that is wrong in society.
I understand his perspective, although he clearly expects the Godless to be Godly - as if 'sinners' should act like 'saints'. I suggest that we might be even more effective as Christians if we channelled our frustration into renewing and changing the culture in the church.
What gets me angry is not just the prevalence of immoral acts in 'the world' but also the immoral inaction in some part of the UK Church to do what we can to make a difference. Maybe we need to see positive changes in the Church before we will see such changes in society?
I reckon we need to do three things: We need to stand up as Christians and not be ashamed of the name of Christ. As Mayor Dorothy Thornhill often says, the Church in Watford needs to 'turn up the volume.' We need to speak up about issues of injustice and paint a positive vision of true selfless community at the same time as we reach out to those who are asking for help and hope in our community.
Today, may God himself help you and I to stand up, speak up and reach out.
- Tim Roberts (Moderator - Christians Across Watford)
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Urgent info for church leaders:
Ministers Breakfast, December 8
If you are a minister or part of the leadership of your church, you are warmly welcomed to the next Minister's Breakfast. On Saturday, 8th December, 8.30-10am at the YMCA in charter place for a cooked breakfast and a chance for fellowship together. Please e-mail Chris Cottee very soon to book your place. Expected price per head: £5
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Christmas update
Every Christian home in the town will be asked to display the annual Christians Across Watford poster - watch this space for details. It is a way of us identifying with one another and invited people to Church to sing carols during the festive season. Look out for your poster at the beginning of December
The next edition of One newspaper will be published in time for Christmas.
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"Prayer makes no difference."
Disagree? Then come and join others to intercede for our town:
Second Sunday, 8-9pm, 11th November - venue: St Mary's Church.
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Raise Money in Your Sleep! (at the end of this month)
The homeless in Watford need your help. The leaders of youth and community groups are strongly advised to get hold of an essential information pack about the forhcoming Watford Sleepout in the grounds of St Mary's, in aid of Watford New Hope Trust. Friday, 30th November. Registration 9pm.
For info, contact Jamie 01923 227132, jamie@wnht.org.
Welcome back!
There's a good chance you will be reading this having enjoyed some 'time off' this summer; if so, I trust you are rested and raring to go for the new season... we have so much to look forward to as God's work continues in our town, relentlessly. In response to a growing demand for such an event, and as promised in the last edition of One, we are glad to announce a new monthly prayer meeting for every Christian in Watford. It will be called Second Sunday. Between 8pm and 9pm on the second Sunday of each month, a prayer gathering will be held in a central location for Christians across Watford to intercede for our town. Led by a variety of leaders in different styles, we are expecting God's Holy Spirit to meet with us in powerful ways as we seek His kingdom in our town. The first one is coming soon - 9th September - at Holy Rood Catholic Church on Market Street. Bring your friends, and see you there!
Another prayer event is coming up, hosted by the youth leaders of the town: Saturday 22nd September 2007, 1-4pm - afternoon of prayer for the children and youth of Watford, followed by 7.30 pm - RESOLVE, youth service - at Watford Elim Church on St Albans Rd.
Testimonies, information and articles are needed soon for the next One Newspaper, published this Christmas: Please send any ideas/submissions by September 25th by replying to this e-mail.
Attention all church leaders: If you are a minister or part of the leadership of your church, you are warmly welcomed to the next Minister's Breakfast. On Saturday, 8th September, 8.30-10am, we will be meeting at the YMCA in charter place for a cooked breakfast and a chance for fellowship together. A couple of key initiatives will be introduced that day that are of interest to every church in the town; you won't want to miss it. Please e-mail Chris Cottee very soon to book your place. Expected price per head: £5-£6.
There are many events going on in the town not mentioned here... if you have items you'd like to share with other churches via this e-newsletter, just reply to this e-mail. May the Kingdom of Christ be gloriously extended in and through his Church. Tim Roberts Moderator, Christians Across Watford
03 July, 2007
United Praise and Prayer 'takes off!'
What a fantastic joy it was on Sunday morning to gather in the name of Christ and pray for God's blessing on our town. Huge thanks to the team who put the service together, showing great flexibility and grace when the venue had to be changed due to the weather.
Many have commented about the quality of the praise and worship, led by Sam Parker and a team from Soul Survivor Watford. Thank you all! The balloon release was a spectacular sight, as over 250 balloons flew over the town representing the prayers of the Church for our town. Lord, hear our prayers and bless our town.
Finally, we thought you'd like to know that the offering was over £1700! A good chunk of this will go to help the work of the Watford Schools Trust continue and expand in coming months. May every penny help the children of our town clearly understand the message and ministry of Christ.
We hope to be in touch soon with some news about a monthly prayer gathering for Watford's Christians, as well as another date for Praise at the Palace. Watch this space.
And of course, keep praying - that the Father's will be done in our town, in our time, as it is in heaven. Amen and amen!
19th June
Dear friends, brothers and sisters in Christ.
What a joy it is to be part of the wider Church in Watford - we sense God's pleasure in our working, serving and praying together as the prayer of Jesus resounds in our heads and hearts.
As you know, Christians Across Watford exists to express and encourage Christian unity.
One of the ways this happens is by calling together people from across all denominations for times of public praise and prayer.
The next date you should be aware of is:
Sunday morning, 1st July
11am
at the Watford Bandstand
Plans are coming together for a service led by local church leaders, with a focus this year on praying for Watford's children and the work of the Schools Trust.An offering will be taken in line with this for those want to give as well as pray!
We are planning a service that will appeal to all ages, with a 'prayer balloon' release as we intercede for the people of Watford. Some chairs will be provided for the elderly/infirm, and if the weather demands it we will be making cold drinks available so no-one wilts!
I am sure it will be 'good and pleasant' to join together in this way, with one voice, singing praises to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ!
Spread the word - follow this link to get hold of poster designs to copy and distribute in your church/organisation: EVENT RESOURCES
May the Lord be praised, and may our town be blessed.
In His name and for His sake,
Tim Roberts
5th May
Dear friend in Christ
I trust this finds you well and looking forward to the long weekend.
What a wonderful evening we enjoyed recently at the Palace Theatre - I hope you saw the coverage in the Watford Observer today, and sense the encouragement of God to his Church here to grow in faith and unity.
I wanted to thank all of you who recently joined the list for this e-newsletter; the more people we can draw together in prayer and communication about issues and events, the better. It is not enough to send information just to busy ministers! (Please pass this correspondence on to anyone you think might be interested.)
Some items for you:-
Please remember to pray for the many 'Noise Across Watford' events across the town this weekend. Pray for good weather, and for many in our communities to be blessed.
Several churches in the borough are also facing the challenge of appointing new leaders, due to ministers retiring or moving away. Please pray for God to bring to Watford the right leaders for each church, and that they will be open to working in unity with others.
St Luke's Watford are planning an outing to AFRICAN SNOW, a presentation by the Riding Lights Theatre Co., at the Hackney Empire on Wednesday, 30th May at 7.30pm. African Snow is a meeting of two men, cast from opposite sides into the hell of the slave trade – Olaudah Equiano, stolen from his home in West Africa, and John Newton, the converted slave-trader, who later gave the world its most famous hymn, Amazing Grace. Dr. John Sentamu, Archbishop of York. said it "turns history into a pulsating human story.“ Tickets cost from £12.50 - £17.50, with reductions for pensioners and under 25’s. If you would like to be part of the party, contact Jean Hogg by next Thursday 10th May. Tel. 01923 231076 or mail bandjhogg126@tiscali.co.uk
The Christians Across Watford bandstand service this year is on Sunday 1st July, 11am. All churches are encouraged to cancel/reaarange their services and join together for this event.
MINISTERS please take note:
The next CAW minister's breakfast, open to all those in church leadership, is at the YMCA on Saturday 9th June at 8.30-10am. This will be a forum for fellowship, and a chance for those running the YMCA to share briefly about their ministry in the heart if Watford. Please e-mail Chris Cottee soon if you wish to attend.
If you would like more copies of the One Newspaper, please reply to this e-mail and state how many copies you require.
If you would like to submit an event/item of news/relevant prayer request for the next One e-news, please reply accordingly to this e-mail.
May God be near you at this time,
Tim Roberts
on behalf of Christians Across Watford