Page 72 - Phonebox Magazine August 2011

Churches Together in Newport Pagnell
CTNP AGM 7th July
Churches Together in Newport Pagnell held there Annual General Meeting on the 7th July at the Methodist Church.
The AGM opened with a bible reading and prayers. It then received reports from the various Groups; Ministers Group, Mission Group and Communications Group as well as a Christian Aid Report and a report on the Emergency Help Scheme. The Treasurers report was also accepted.
In addition to the normal business of the AGM there were two very interesting guest speakers:-
Rev Richard Caddell gave a talk on Healing in the Streets which had originated in Northern Ireland and may one day come to the streets of Newport Pagnell or Olney.
Tony Welch gave a presentation on MK Prospects which brings the love of Christ to those with learning disabilities. (See separate article below).
CTNP President Chris Row was thanked for his leadership and hard work over the last two years and was unanimously re-elected unopposed for another two year term as President. Chris made it clear this was his last two year term.
MK Prospects
Local ministry, MK Prospects set up to make the love of God known to people with learning disabilities, celebrated its six month anniversary this month with a meeting dedicated to exploring the strength of Jesus’ love.
Six months of prayer, planning and training last year led to the Group’s inaugural meeting in February. Since then we have continued to meet on the first Saturday of each month at 7pm at the Church of Christ the Vine in Coffee Hall. Each meeting is its own unique celebration of God’s love for us all, and a time for people with learning disabilities to find out more about God.
We are creative in the way the messages are conveyed. This month through music, mime, prayers, a demonstration, video clips and a talk we explored the story of the rich young man who wanted to find out how he may enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The meeting ended with a game of jenga to remind us of our own frailty in the face of the endless strength of Jesus’ love, and some crafts also reflecting the theme.
As MK Prospects continues to grow steadily we have decided that the 6th August meeting will take the form of a barbecue at the home of Tony and Lesley Welch (please call 01908 612351 for more information) and will meet again at the Church of Christ the Vine on 3rd September at 7pm to explore the Feeding of the 5,000.
You are warmly invited to join us in August and September. Please call Tony Welch 01908 612351 if you would like any other information.
Food4Thought (organised by Newport Pagnell Baptist Church)
Food4Thought events take place on the second Sunday of the month from 4pm to 5.30pm and are open to anyone who is retired, particularly those living alone. These gentle events are a time for friendship, singing and praise followed by scrumptious ‘home made’ tea. Transport can be arranged.
Venue: Newport Pagnell Baptist Church Lovat Hall, Silver Street
Newport Pagnell MK16 0EJ
Contact Church Office:
Tel: 01908618898
Email: info@npbc.org.uk Web site: www.npbc.org.uk
Carnival Parade - A close shave, but a good result
rescue and by 9.30 pm we had a suitable vehicle. As it was then too late to build the float, the team of helpers came back at 7.30 am on the Saturday to begin their task, and completed it just in time.
Painted panels on the sides of the float told the story of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat”, and we had not one but two Josephs on the float (one facing each side), as well as other characters from the story, accompanied by the soundtrack from the show. Other members of CTNP, drawn from the various churches in town, distributed balloons and information leaflets – including details of a free Holiday Club – to the throng of spectators along the route. As a humorous touch, the lorry was “pulled” by two Hebrew slaves.
An exhibition of wood carvings – 9th & 1F0th September
COLLOQUY & Newport Pagnell Methodist Church present
CONVERSATIONS IN WOOD An exhibition of wood carvings at Newport Pagnell Methodist Church, Friday 9th & Saturday 10th September 2011; 10 am – 4 pm
A very rare opportunity to see the inspiring work of Methodist Minister Rev David Moore & Santiago Bell (1932-2005), his woodcarving teacher and friend, who came to Britain from Chile, following imprisonment and torture at the hands of the Pinochet regime. This exhibition also features David’s Collaboration with Richard Smith a friend and colleague for 45 years, in making sculptures based on biblical / religious stories.
Sunshine and sports at Baptist Picnic
On Sunday 3rd July many of the Baptist Church congregation stayed on after the morning service to enjoy a picnic lunch together, followed by games of rounders and football on the field. The weather was kind, and a good time was had by all. Some of
those who stayed later helped with painting the CTNP Carnival float, while keeping an eye on progress in the Wimbledon Men’s Final!
CTNP Website – for more information about Churches Together in Newport Pagnell please visit our website (www.ctnp.org.uk).
72 Phonebox Magazine
Churches Together in Newport Pagnell (CTNP) were delighted to win another trophy – 2nd in their class – for their float at the Newport Pagnell Carnival on July 9th. But it very nearly didn’t happen. Despite strenuous efforts by the Carnival Committee to find us a lorry, one had not been located by the evening of the 8th. Fortunately, one of our members, John Ecclestone, came to our