Saturday, September 05, 2015

News from Churches Together in Kent

 
Many Christians across Kent have become involved in issues surrounding the camp of ayslum seekers, refugees and economic migrants in Calais.There was a very good BBC Songs of Praise from Calais. Watch it here until 14th September. The Baptist Union, Methodists & United Reformed Churches have published a joint statement on the issue, asking that public debate is grounded in values of compassion and that decisions are made on the basis of facts, calling churches to a prayerful response. Read it here. Canterbury Cathedral is receiving donations for those at the camp. More info here. From chaplains at the Port of Dover, to a proposed centre for unaccompanied minors in Whitstable, to those seeking to offer practical aid to those in need in the camp from Folkestone and other places, many Christians in Kent are engaging with this issue. It would be good to hear from any who are actively involved. Please ring Chris Ruddle, the County Ecumenical Officer, on 07808 728670 or email me.
Roch Tech are running a free training day for those who operate the Sound System at their local church. It is completely without cost, taking place in Dover on Saturday 12th September. To book your place or for more information go here.

Ride and Stride. Saturday 12th September.
Raise money for your church or chapel in partnership with 'Friends of Kent Churches'. Get sponsored and visit as many churches as possible on the day by bike (or walking). All denominations welcome.
£2.5 million has laready been raised over the last ten years. Churches are open all over Kent. There are sure to be some in your area which you will be very welcome to visit. Click here for more information, then plan your own route to start and finish any time between 10am and 6pm.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2016. Resources are now available to download from the CTBI website.

Christian Aid resources for Harvest, focussed on the Dogon Plateau in Mali, are available to download here.
The South East Ambulance Service are in great need of chaplains, especially in the Petts Wood, Ashford and Thanet areas. If you are authorised for ministry by your denomination and could help with this please call or e-mail Gary Colville, the Lead Chaplain for the emergency services on 01634 685098, interimcolville@hotmail.com

Earthyear: The Conversation,
we will hear from Church leaders from the Pacific nations of Kiribati and Tuvalu.  There will also be contributions from the UK church, the world of politics and the oil industry.  Christian organisations working in the field will be there to resource your thinking and action further.  It will be a day to change your life and … perhaps … change the world. Saturday 26th September, St John's Church, Waterloo. Details here.

Global Climate Petition: ACT Now for Climate Justice
Christian Aid are encouraging us to ACT now for climate justice. Watch the youtube clip here, Sign the petition to be presented to world leaders in Paris in December. Or hear more as Christian Aid's theology advisor, Rev Dr Susan Durber talks on the link between Climate Change and Poverty at Trinity URC church in Bromley on Tuesday 29th September. Contact Anne Rowan for more info.
Toolbox is back in November. The excellent conference, which attracts 100s of workers, is for all youth and children's workers. It is organized by KEYCOG (the Kent Ecumenical Youth and Children's Officers group). There are many great seminars including... the spirituality of boys, forming a vision & strategy for your work, engaging children in their faith in a digital world ... and dozens more! More info here.

Please pray for the National Triennial conference of Churches Together in England at the end of the month, 28-30 September. It is a gathering of all 43 member churches, 49 county & intermediate bodies. Together we represent the 2600 local churches together groups and 900 ecumenical partnerships. Please pray for wisdom as we meet together. There are a few spaces which have just opened up today, so anyone would like to go you can sign up here. Do let me know if you're going.

Please put the Forum of Churches Together in Kent in your diaries: Saturday 5th March 2016. This forum is for all Local Churches Together Groups, Single Congregation LEPs & the various 'arms' of county level ecumenical work to meet together with the denominational leaders.  Details to follow...

The Rugby World Cup is a great opportunity for reaching out through sport to our local communities. Download resources here.
Please feel free to contact me if I can be of any help at any time. I continue to be encouraged by the good work going on across Kent as Christians spread the good news of new life in Jesus Christ, across denominational boundaries. If you've received this email from someone else and would like to get it direct, click on 'update subscription preferences' below.

Your servant in Christ,

Chris Ruddle
County Ecumenical Officer
07808 728670

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Churches Together in Kent
252 Dover Road, Folkestone, United Kingdom
Folkestone, CT19 6NS
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