Christmas Storytelling Night 2007

It was a very Christmassy storytelling night, with lanterns lit across the garden and the entrance way, to shine through the atmospheric mist that had surrounded our home. The aromic smell of mulled wine lingered in the kitchen, with lots of Christmas nibbles waiting on the table to be nibbled on. Children were the first to take part in the Christmas storytelling, and we all gathered around the fire to hear: Thomas' brilliant version of the nativity (very well read), Richard's very funny 'A Christmas Carol' (complete with a very humourous Scrooge voice), Ros' Syrian tale of a wobbly camel on his way to see the newborn king (complete with cuddly camel), Esme's trick of falling off the chair a number of times and the word 'candle' said wonderously throughout the evening, Oscar's tale of the Bible rolled up into a few sentences (very well done, Oscar), Abi's very own written and coloured-in story of the the birth of Jesus, co-read by Dad, Nick (they made an excellent team, and it was an excellent story) and the grand finale, Claire's reading of 'Twas the Night before Christmas' which made all of us feel very Christmassy and excited!



After that, some feverish work by some elves was needed to get the place ready again for the next set of storytellers, and just in time, the fire was re-lit and the mulled wine was...mulled...Again, wonderful stories were told - funny, moving, thoughtful, magical and inspiring. There were many times where we all had our eyes shut, listening to the voice of the storyteller taking us to a new and wonderful place. To begin the storytelling, we cut the Panettone cake and shared it round...Sue and Drew started us off with a double act of 'Mog's Christmas' - a very endearing tale that was very well told with some first class comic timing, Janet (my mum) read an extract from 'The Dean's Watch' by Elizabeth Goudge - about an angel looking over the earth on Christmas Eve night, remembering Christmas' past - again beautifully told, Catherine pulled out all the stops with various voies with her tale, 'On Angel's Wings' by Michael Morpurgo that had most people very moved by the end of the story, Richard read us the most dramatic part of 'A Christmas Carol', told very...dramatically, Ros read her made up poem about a wobbly stair, and had a fun time getting everyone to say what they thought was under the wobbly stair...We were also very honoured to have 2 friends who I work with come along too, who enjoyed the stories and meeting everyone. One of the girls, Claire, told us the Irish legend of King Lir and his four children, who were turned into swans - a very beautiful tale, told in a very magical way - so thank you Claire!



Thank you to everyone who came and to all who contributed something. Looking forward to next year!
Ros

Poker night at Sue & Drews!

Drew won.

19th December

We had already organised to all get together and pray for the Newmans and Togwells at their new house! Unfortunatly Emma was rushed to hospital very suddenly a day before, heres an extract of what Phil described on his blog...

"...the whole day was a cycle of trolley-trips to the x-ray department, injections (the morphine, an anti-nausea drug, a huge dose of dye just before one of the x-rays, a saline drip...), conversations with the Doc/s, and Emma writhing in bouts of pain or throwing-up. Not a lot of fun,\I must confess. And even less for Emma.

At the moment, they think it's something to do with her kidney. Maybe stones? Although the dye-x-ray didn't reveal what it should have done if that were the case. So now they want to do an ultra-sound scan... tomorrow morning... which means she's still in the hospital, while I'm back home with our girls, and with Helen and Ian."

Ros, Dewi, Jo and I decided to use this time to pray instead, specifically for Emma and protection over the two families. We met in the Togwells and Newmans new living room and prayed! During the prayer we felt a really moving sense of peace in the room and we spent some time sitting in silence in God's presence. Jo found a great verse which she read out as a proclaimation and prayer. (Hopefully she'll be able to add it to this section of the blog).

We returned home that night and barely an hour later we got a text from Phil saying 'I don't know what you guys prayed but Emma's just been discharged from hospital...a good thing :)'

Heres more from Toggie Tales...
"According to the gynae consultant, the blood test was ok... and the fact that she'd had an ok day was a fairly good sign. "You will need surgery," she explained, "but I doubt you want it before Christmas?" Silly question.

Emma's got to 'take things easy', which is easier said than done (we've already told her off a few times today!), but she's feeling loads better. She's got an appointment early in January, and we guess that the surgery will follow on from that?

...if the cyst-mass isn't completely gone by then, of course, which is what we're now praying for. We'd love you to join with us, and with Angel especially... "Jesus, make Mummy better." :o)"
Amen!

TOM & JO!

This is TOM & JO! They are two incredibly giving and exciting people!
They are... 'London-city Farmers'!
In January they will be moving to Malawi to establish a 'model farm', to teach
and train farmers productive techniques to pass on in their villages.

On the 8th Dec we invited them over to ours , where we all squeezed into our front room to pray for them, have pizza together and hear a bit about the amazing stuff they'll be up to!!

I think we were all quite blown away and humbled by what they'll be doing. Was great to spend good time with them!

You can keep informed of what they're up to by checking out their facebook page, 'Tom and Jo are off to Malawi'

Bollywood Bonanza

Ros performing with her Bollywood dance class at the town hall in Ilford.

Newmas & Togwells move in!

We've all been praying long and hard for this day and on the 30th November 2007 both families moved into their long awaited community house in Romford!!! It was amazing to step inside the house and have a guided tour around the many rooms, currently filled with boxes but soon to take shape into a place I'm sure God will use for many great things to come! Not too long after, Emmas' new, dream cooker arrived (not for cooking 'dreams' but food :) ) and so I took this picture to mark the occasion! Heres to the Togwells and the Newmans and their Community House!!
For more info... check out Toggie Tales (see link)

J0N

Jons BirthDay!

Thanks to all who came and celebrated with me on my Birthday at Beekash/ Golden Lion!
I had a really great night! I've been trying to upload a great video clip of us all dancing to 'THE BIRTHDAY SONG' but its not been converting to Quicktime too well. For now you'll have to put up with a pic of me with a cigar Dewi brought back all the way from CUBA!

Free Women!

I thought you might like to see a recent restauraunt bill of mine. I know what you're thinking: does he go there for the chicken or for the free women?!

Rich

Christmas DATES!

Thursday 20th DECEMBER - 'No Limits Texas Hold 'Em Poker' event at Sue and Drew's - two Poker tables, a laptop with all the stats you can shake a stick at, and a night to gamble away your fortune.



FRIDAY 21st DECEMBER - CHRISTMAS STORYTELLING NIGHT -
6.30pm - 7:30pm : Childrens Christmas storytelling
8:30pm onwards : Christmas Storytelling, Grown Ups
@ Ros&Jons - ***
Telling tales by a cosy fire with ***Mulled Wine and homemade treats
Please come and share your favourite Christmas tales. Children are very welcome, but please be aware there will be an open fire!!
As part of the night, we would like to ask if anyone wants to contribute a donation
to the Salvation Army, who take care of people who are especially vulnerable at Christmas, they are very welcome :)


SATURDAY 22nd DECEMBER - HUGE All Day Christmas Party (aka house-warming)
40 Kingston Road, 11am till late.


Thursday 27th Dec Annual Games night at Dewi & Sarahs from 7pm onwards

Pub

Due to people moving house, praying to move house, working extremely hard towards final exams, a baby being born, work pressures and more work pressures we decided to try and get together and pray for each other. Unfortunatly, because we're all so busy, none of us could make it...even the hosts! :) So myself, Richard and Dewi met in the pub instead!
Rich had just been to a Fairtrade meeting, and we had some great discussion about Fairtrade boroughs and organic cotton farming!
Looking forward to seeing people tonight!!
J0N

Lewis Newman!

Lewis Roy Newman was born last week on the 17th October 2007, 11:10am!
Congratulations guys!!!

GUANABARA

Storytelling For Small Ones

Storytelling for Small Ones had a theme this time - TREES! We went on a journey to Ghana in Africa and found out about the story of the cocoa bean - with ACTIONS! Then we sat in the garden and drew our favourite trees. As you can see from the photos, we made a forest out of them, with Esme actually BEING a tree, wrapping it all around her!

after that, we listened to a story about The Giving Tree under the lilac tree. It was very beautiful but a bit sad as well, because the tree gave everything she had to a boy she loved...

...Then we dressed up in the TeePee Tent (thanks to Jo) and told our own stories! As it was Will's birthday (hooray!) we also had lovely cakes (thanks to Emma) and sang 'Happy Birthday' really loudly :)

Many thanks for all those who attended - the next one will be on Saturday 20th October at 2pm! Hope to see you small ones there again...

16/9/07

On Sunday Dewi, Rich, Myself, Ros and Catheryn all headed over to Sue & Drews new lovely home for a chance to get down to some serious scripture!
We looked at 2 Kings Chapter 22, which brought up some great discussion about the importance of the Bible.

J0N

PRAYER NIGHT2

Was great to be with Rich, Sue, Drew, Jo, Ros, sharing what we're up to, where we're at and spending good quality time praying for each other! God brought both tears and laughter when we needed it and was wonderful, personally, to be able to hear God speaking to me through the prayers of my friends!

J0N

DREWS HAT

PHIL&LISAs' BBQ!

Was so great to see Phil and Lisa, and an honour that they wanted to spend time with us all on Lisas' last weekend before heading back to Uni! Big thankyou to Mike and Chris for hosting the BBQ in their garden and cooking up a great BBQ!

Not only was it a great time to be with friends but we also managed to rescue missing Cat...'Flea'. Dewi put his newly found cat ownership skills into practice and managed to keep Flea from dissappearing over the fence before the owners' Dad arrived with a cat carrier.




Toggie started up a conker championship contest...(see Toggie Tales)














...and then later... to our amazement... Helen swapped heads with Ian for a brief moment!


















Bless Phil&Lisa! was great to see you guys!!


J0N

Saturday, September 8

Psalm 106:1-5
Jeremiah 37:1-38:13; Titus 2:6-3:2

We ponder your steadfast love, O God, in the midst of your temple. Psalm
48:9

Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not
neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some. Hebrews 10:24,25

Gracious God, we pray that you will draw us all nearer to you.
Strengthen the devotion of those who are falling away and inspire anew
all those whose doubts burden them. In the matchless name of Jesus.
Amen.

Mr T.Umnus

Dewi&Sarahs' Kitten!

DREW&SUE GOT MARRIED!

Propper good photos to follow...
J0N

Storytelling for Small Ones - Sat 4th August

Once upon a time, there was a garden that was bathed in sunshine and flowers. In the middle of the garden was a wonderous tepee, where magical objects were waiting to be found inside. At the bottom of the garden, purple silks hung down from the branches of the lilac tree, with soft blankets lying in the shade, and white flowers grew out of all the green bushes and grass.

Suddenly, the red gate opened into the garden, where 2…3….4 little elfkins and a slightly older fairy called Megan crept into the garden. They all stopped and stared…then the brave Poppy elfkin ran immediately to the Teepee and found the magical objects…

Yes, the first Storytelling for Small Ones took place Sat 4th, and was a very fun and imaginative afternoon! Thanks to Jo for her Teepee and lilac canopy creations – as well as her exciting story about Theseus and his defeat of the horrible monster, the Minotaur (yes we are starting the small ones on epic stories already!) I told the Story of Creation, starting off the run of various Bible Stories that will be told each time, where our love for giraffes became apparent! I also told my ‘Beatrice the Dancing Bee’ story complete with a yellow and black stripy sock puppet (thanks again to Jo’s sock donation!) Amazingly, everyone liked the story and wanted to sing the Beatrice Bee song again (Will asked for the ‘Buzzy Bee song’ whilst we were telling jokes in the teepee – I felt v proud). After lots of drinks and the odd picking of our blackberries, the children all had the chance to play dressing up, where all the ‘magical objects’ were in the teepee. They created ‘mini’ stories themselves, with Poppy and Will taking it in turns to be the ‘wolf’ and Will liked being the rabbit as well – fantastic hopping moves! Abigail collected all the stars and pearls she could find and enjoyed being a ‘star in the sky’. Megan became a very elegant maid in a silk orange cloth, and I think Emma, Mikki and I all had to become queens at some point. Angel blew bubbles everywhere to add to the effect. Poppy chose very interesting characters, including a princess who wore black rimmed glasses with headphones, which was an excellent example of steering clear of stereotypes!

The next 'Storytelling for Small Ones' will take place on Sat 8th September, 2pm where blackberry picking will be apart of the storytelling J We found that children listen more attentively when parents try and withdraw a bit, so that would be something to consider for next time, if possible! Also, babies and children aged 0-2 years, would enjoy the second half of the storytelling, which is the ‘dressing up’ and play fun bit! We will have 2 stories told in the first half. Thanks to all who came and made it a lovely afternoon!



RoSi* xx

Tuesday night - prayer

Man I've really missed this...just sitting with a few freinds, going round the room, sharing what we've been up to, taking up the holy position 'in the middle' :) and simply praying for each other.
This time I particuarly noticed how something amazing happens when we share and listen to each others lives'-stories together.
By the end of the night there was a feeling of greater understanding of each others dreams and experiences and a feeling of excitement and togetherness for what God has done and doing in our lives!
I looked around the room and saw that between us our occupations covered, Sport, Education, Science, Arts, Media, Justice... and began to catch vision again for the difference we could actually make in these areas.
For me, it felt like we all left the living room a little more empowered with Gods' Spirit to usher forth His Kingdom into all of these fields, as well as being aware of areas in which we can support each other in our walk together. What more could you want?
J0N

Join community-whispers e-mail list

Hi all

If you didn't get an invite from me to join our e-mail list (for staying in touch, sharing thoughts and ideas, prayer, news, inspirations, etc.), then you can join here. Just use the thingy below:

Subscribe to community-whispers

WEEKLY PRAYER 17/7/07

This week, I thought I would just upload some of the words of old poems that have been going through my head recently. You may recognise them as having a tune and being sung as a hymn, but see them today as poems, expressions of a writer's heart giving glory to God.

Let the words soak into you, as they have soaked into the fabric of the church for the past couple of hundred years

Read them to yourself.
Read them to your spouse.
Read them to your friends.
Read them with power.
Read them with drama.
Read them awe.
Just read them aloud.


-----


Crown him with many crowns,
The Lamb upon His throne;
Hark, how the heavenly anthem drowns
All music but its own!
Awake, my soul, and sing
Of Him who died for thee,
And hail Him as thy matchless King
Through all eternity.

Crown Him the Lord of life,
Who triumphed o'er the grave
And rose victorious in the strife
For those He came to save:
His glories now we sing,
Who died and rose on high,
Who died eternal life to bring
And lives that death may die.

Crown Him the Lord of love;
Behold His hands and side,
Those wounds yet visible above
In beauty glorified:
No angel in the sky
Can fully bear that sight,
But downward bends His burning eye
At mysteries so bright.

Crown Him the Lord of peace,
Whose power a sceptre sways
From pole to pole, that wars may cease,
And all be prayer and praise:
His reign shall know no end,
And round His piercèd feet
Fair flowers of paradise extend
Their fragrance ever sweet.

Crown Him the Lord of years,
The Potentate of time,
Creator of the rolling spheres,
Ineffably sublime!
All hail, Redeemer, hail!
For Thou hast died for me;
Thy praise shall never, never fail
Throughout eternity.



-----

Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart
Nought be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best thought in the day and the night
Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.

Be thou my wisdom, be thou my true word
I ever with thee, and though with me, Lord
Thou my great Father and I thy true son
Thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one.

Be thou my breastplate, my sword for the fight
Be thou my armour and be thou my might
Be my soul shelter, and thou my high tower
Raise thou me heavenwards, O power of my power.

Riches I need not, nor man’s empty praise
Thou my inheritance all of my days
Thou and thou only, thou first in my heart
High King of heaven, my treasure thou art

O high King of heaven, when battle is done
Grant heaven’s joy to me, bright heaven’s sun
Christ of my own heart, whatever befall
Still be my vision, thou ruler of all.

-----


Great is thy Faithfulness, O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided,
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided,
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided,
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!



-----


Abide with me, fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens, Lord, with me abide;
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.

I need Thy presence every passing hour;
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me.

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.

Reveal Thyself before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies,
Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me


(From Rob)

12 Marks of New Monasticism

Several of us have been reading and discussing the book “12 Marks of New Monasticism”. Here are just a few of the thoughts in each chapter for us to meditate on and pray about each day, while considering our own lives and walk with Jesus.

Chapter 1: Relocation to abandoned places of Empire

• Resist pride, power and reduction of all values to “the bottom line”.
• Express our conversion and commitment.
• Say “yes” to a new way of life (or the search for it) in Jesus.
• Rework the clay – fresh potential for beauty and service.
• Seek first the Kingdom of God.
• Prayer integrated with life and witness.
• Resist non-godly trends and issues (e.g. militarism, poverty and homelessness) and engage in search for solutions.
• Live not dominated by numbers of finance.
• Transformation (of society) that starts with ourselves.
• Ordinariness rather than impressiveness.

Chapter 2: Sharing economic resources

• John Wesley: “If I should die with more than 10 pounds, may everyone call me a liar and a thief, for I have betrayed the Gospel”.
• Do we know the poor or just know about the poor.
• Generosity.
• Redistribution (of wealth) is what happens when people fall in love with each other across class lines.
• When we truly discover love, capitalism will not be possible and Marxism will not be necessary.
• Theology of “enough” – there is enough for everyone’s need but not for everyone’s greed.

(Next 2 chapters next week!)

David.

Daily Prayer: Prayer for 9th - 15th July

Walking in a beautiful pine forest at the weekend, I took some photos and felt God speak to me about each one. I thought I would share them with you as our prayers for this week.

GOD'S HOPE



God's Hope for us and everyone we know and are praying for:

"The people who walk in darkness will see a great light - a light that will shine on all who live in the land where death casts its shadow." Isaiah 9 v.2

STRENGTH IN PRAYER



"But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint." Isaiah 40 v.31


THE BEAUTY AND POWER OF GOD IN THE FACE OF MY UNBELIEF:



Towering trees can sometimes remind me how Almighty God is, and how anything is possible with Him. I ask him to help me overcome my unbelief!

"What do you mean 'if I can', Jesus asked. 'Anything is possible if a person believes."
The father instantly replied, 'I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!'


Amen.

WEEKLY PRAYER 2/7/07