Churches for Tunbridge Wells E- News April 2017

CfTW April E-News

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Happy Easter!! Welcome to the April 2017 edition of CfTW e-news. Please pass this information on to others in your congregation or network.
This month we are:

looking forward to the NOISE – the annual youth social action event which, this year, takes place on the Sherwood estate and hosted at St Philip’s from Wednesday 5 to Friday 7 April. For more information visit http://www.twyfc.co.uk/projects/the-noise/
praying for the proclamation of Resurrection Hope this Easter to be heard and received across Tunbridge Wells Borough – for our church buildings to be full of people actively seeking Jesus.
excited about the Week of Prayer for Tunbridge Wells which is taking place from Sunday evening 23 April through to Friday evening 28 April. It is an opportunity for congregations across Tunbridge Wells to gather together to pray for Spiritual Breakthrough. Each congregation should have received further information about this, or see the Mission Highlight section below.

Please note that the deadline for getting information to me cllyallen@aol.com for the May 2017 e-letter is Tuesday 18 April

April Dates:

Saturdays 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 April: ‘Men of Prayer 4 Tunbridge Wells’ Prayer Group, 8-9am at The Gatehouse (formerly Calvary Church) in the Market Square. Men from all churches are welcome to come and pray for one another and for the transformation of our town every Saturday from 8-9am.
Tuesdays 4, 11, 18, 25 April: Lunchtime services at TW United Reformed Church, 12.15-12.45pm.
Wednesday 5–Friday 7 April: The NOISE – Youth Social Action Project taking place at St Philip’s Church.
Tuesday 11 April: Quiet Day at Burrswood. Call 01892 865988 to book
Good Friday, 14 April: Come one, come all, and sing Stainer’s ‘Crucifixion’ with the Broadwater Singers in St. James’ Church at 7pm, with a rehearsal at 5.30pm. Bring your own score if you have one, but if not, copies will be available.
Easter Sunday, 16 April: ‘Sunrise Service’ (8am), in the Hilbert Recreation Ground, east of the bowling green.
Wednesday 19 April: Prayer Meeting for the Persecuted Church, 11.30am–12.30pm at St Augustine’s Church, Crescent Road, TW. This is an ecumenical prayer group which meets on the third Wednesday of every month. Also 17 May.
Wednesday 19 April: Marilyn Baker in concert at Burrswood – join one of Britain’s most popular and well-loved singer songwriters. 01892 865988 to book.
Friday 21 April: Youth Leader Prayer Meeting - 9am at TWYFC Offices, 28 Church Road. Also 5 & 19 May; 9 & 23 June; 7 & 21 July.
Friday 21 April: Central Burn at TW Gatehouse (formerly Calvary Church) - 8pm–2am: a time of worship and prayer. Also on Friday 19 May.
Saturday 22 April: Acorn Training will be at Burrswood: Focus on Forgiveness. This first session will be led by Revd. Elizabeth Knifton. 9.30am to 3.00pm. (second session: Sat 6 May – see Courses, Conferences & Trips below.) The cost is £50 per person per session. Bring your own picnic or book lunch in our Tea Room - please call 01892 865991. If you would like to know more, or wish to book a place, please contact the Reservations Team on: 01892 865988 or email: reservations@burrswood.org.uk
Sunday 23–Friday 28 April 2017: Week of Prayer for Tunbridge Wells. The week will begin at 6.30pm on Sunday 23 April at New Life Church. There will be prayer through the week – mornings at Christ Church in the High Street and evenings at New Life Church in Southborough. Come and join together with Christians from across the Tunbridge Wells area to pray for God’s Kingdom to break through into our communities.
Saturday 29 April: Christian Mindfulness at Burrswood. Call 01892 865988 to book or for more information, or visit www.burrswood.org.uk
Saturday 29 April: Crossteach Quiz Night at St Peter’s Church, Bayhall Road, 7-9.30pm. Cost is £5 per person. To book a team email tunbridgewells@crossteach.com, or just come and join a team on the night.

Local Mission Focus:

Week of Prayer for Tunbridge Wells

The 6^th Annual Week of Prayer for Tunbridge Wells will take place from Sunday evening 23 April through to Friday evening 28 April. We will be praying for ‘Spiritual Breakthroughs’ in Tunbridge Wells, for God’s Kingdom to come in Tunbridge Wells as it is in Heaven. It is an opportunity for Christians from Churches across Tunbridge Wells and the wider area to come together to pray for our communities.

Once again, we will split our sessions between Christ Church, High Street, Tunbridge Wells and New Life Church, Speldhurst Road, Southborough. The running order of the week looks like this:

Sunday evening at New Life Church, 6.30-8.00pm. Graham Kendrick will be leading our time together as we begin the week praying for Spiritual Breakthrough.
Early Morning Prayer - Monday–Friday, 6.30-7.30am at Christ Church, High Street provides an opportunity for commuters and early risers to start the day engaging with God. (Note: Manna Café will be serving breakfast afterwards.)
Midday Intercessions – Monday, Wednesday–Friday, 12-1pm at Christ Church, High Street provides an opportunity to spend an hour of concentrated prayer on a particular theme.
Tuesday midday Intercessions – Each congregation is invited to have a time of prayer at some point during the day for their local community.
Evening Gatherings – Monday–Friday, 8.00-9.15pm at New Life Church, Speldhurst Road, Southborough provide great opportunities to engage with others in prayer for our communities.

Each day will follow a different theme – for example, on Monday we will be praying for Spiritual Breakthrough for Children & Youth, and on Wednesday for where we work.

There will also be a variety of Mission Displays at New Life Church throughout the week, so come early and see what mission engagement is taking place in our town. Doors open at New Life Church each evening (Mon–Friday) at 7.15pm with tea and coffee being served.

Together – let’s pray for the transformation of Tunbridge Wells and surrounding communities.
For more information about the Week of Prayer for Tunbridge Wells, email cllyallen@aol.com. Follow us on Facebook at ‘Week of Prayer for Tunbridge Wells’.

Courses, Conferences and Trips

Creation and Creativity at Burrswood: Four separate retreats: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter, each focusing on the inner spiritual growth associated with the seasons. There will be opportunities to explore the beautiful grounds at Burrswood and to express a spiritual creative response to the beauty and grandeur of God’s creation through a variety of different media. There will be times for quiet reflection and opportunities for worship.

Spring: New Life Breaking Forth - Fri 24-Sun 26 March
Summer: Growth towards Fullness - Fri 30 June-Sun 2 July
Autumn: Harvest and Abundance - Fri 20-Sun 22 October
Winter: Dormancy and Expectation - Fri 8-Sun 10 December

Bookings and pricing: Residential - staying in our lovely Guest Rooms, including 2 nights full board: £198. Guests arrive in the afternoon of the first day and leave after lunch on the final day. Non-Residential: £66 pp (2 lunches) Guests attend 10am-5pm and a final morning Discounts: Individuals - 10% off if booked more than 2 months in advance. Groups – 20% off for groups of 10 or more (no early booking discount applies for groups). Each retreat stands alone, but together they reflect and celebrate the diversity and beauty of nature’s annual cycle. If you would like to know more, or wish to book a place, please contact Reservations on: 01892 865988, or email: reservations@burrswood.org.uk. We look forward to seeing you.

Acorn Training will be at Burrswood: Delivering training days designed to equip individuals, churches, chaplaincies and community groups in the ministry of healing and wholeness:

Saturday 22 April - Focus on Forgiveness. Led by Revd. Elizabeth Knifton.
Saturday 6 May - Health and Wholeness: Authentic Living. Led by Jennie Fytche.

Each day runs from 9.30am to 3.00pm. The cost is £50 per person per session. You are welcome to attend an individual event or the whole series. Bring your own picnic or book lunch in our Tea Room - please call 01892 865991. Hot and cold drinks will be available throughout the day. If you would like to know more, or wish to book a place, please contact the Reservations Team on: 01892 865988 or email: reservations@burrswood.org.uk. We look forward to seeing you.

LAST CALL - Holy Land Trip: Jim & Parvin Stewart are leading another trip to the Holy Land in September 2017. Do take a look at the brochure if you would like to join them (http://www.stjamestw.co.uk/holyland.htm), and feel free to email Jim if you have any questions: JPStewart4@gmail.com.

Job Opportunities...

West Kent YMCA is looking for full-time and part-time youth workers. Please visit www.westkentymca.org.uk for more details of each post, email info@westkentymca.org.uk or ring 01892 542209.

Save the Date...

Tuesday 9 May: Quiet Day at Burrswood. Ring 865988 for more information.
Saturday 13 May: Burrswood Boot Camp. Ring 865988 for more information
Sunday 14 May – Margaret Rizza Concert at Burrswood; Ring 865988 to book or for more information visit www.burrswood.org.uk
Monday 15 May: Schools Prayer Evening, 7.30-9.00pm at TW Baptist Church.
Saturday 20 May: TW Men’s Breakfast; 8.15-10.30am at St James’ Church Hall. Join with other men from across Tunbridge Wells to enjoy good food and fellowship and also to hear 2 inspiring presentations from Oasis India and TW Street Pastors. A voluntary contribution of £4 is suggested. To book, please email cllyallen@aol.com
Sunday 21 May: UNITE Youth Service, 7-9pm at TW Christian Fellowship, Hanover Road. Also on Sunday 18 June and Sunday 16 July.
Saturday 27 May: Christian Mindfulness at Burrswood. Ring 865988 for more info.
Tuesday 6 June: Self-Harm Awareness Training for Parents and Youth Leaders.
Saturday 29 July: Shakespeare Open Air Theatre Illyria presents ‘A Comedy of Errors’ at Burrswood. Call 865988.

We need your help

Crossways Community is recruiting for new trustees, including a Chair and a Treasurer. Closing Date is 31 March, so you need to hurry. Click below for more details. http://www.crosswayscommunity.co.uk/who-we-are/directors/trustee-recruitment/

Calverley Hill needs you! Do you love kids and are looking for a fun new activity for 2017? Do you have a few hours spare on Wednesday mornings? We have new opportunities for Crèche volunteers at Chapter 1, Supported Housing in Tunbridge Wells. Please contact Fretha or Jac on 01892 530676 for more details.

Office Space Available: A local Christian organisation has some shared office space available at very reasonable rates in central Tunbridge Wells. If you are interested in finding out more, please contact Tony on tonyjoyce55@gmail.com.

Premises needed: Charity looking for space in the TW area - Empathy Action is a local Christian charity whose vision is to see an end to poverty, brought about by concerted, compassionate community action.
We do this mainly through a number of experiential activities (simulations) that build empathy and spur people on to compassionate action for those living in extreme poverty, refugees and other disadvantaged groups.
We are currently looking for suitable premises, incorporating office space, meeting rooms, storage and retail space that will enable us to embed our presence in the Tunbridge Wells community. It would also be helpful to have space (linked or otherwise) from which to run some of our ‘lighter’ simulations.
If you are aware of any premises which may be suitable for our requirements we would be delighted to hear from you. Please contact Ben Solanky or Matthew Gurney on 01892 576336 or email: contact@empathaction.org www.empathyaction.org

House Required: A 2-bedroomed house is required asap in the TW area, in the price range of £925. Mum and 2 daughters aged 8 & 5 require immediate housing. Please email Marianneshaw2014@outlook.com if you can help.