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3 AGM-NEW DESTINATIONS 6 ASSOCIATE MINISTRY PARTNERS 10 ZERMATT 12 FESTIVAL JUBILATE CORFU 14 BAPTISM 15 DEVOTIONAL MISSION AND MINISTRY IN ENGLISH FOR EVERYONE NOV 17- FEB 18

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Page 1: MISSION AND MINISTRY IN ENGLISH FOR EVERYONEics-uk.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/ICS-News-November-2017.pdf · MISSION AND MINISTRY IN ENGLISH FOR EVERYONE ... and not to succeed

3 AGM-NEW DESTINATIONS 6 ASSOCIATE MINISTRY PARTNERS 10 ZERMATT 12 FESTIVAL JUBILATE CORFU 14 BAPTISM 15 DEVOTIONAL

M I S S I O N A N D M I N I S T R Y I N E N G L I S H F O R E V E R Y O N E

NOV

17-J

AN 1

8

ISSU

E 68

ISSN

205

9-18

61

NO

V 17

- FEB

18

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INTERCONTINENTAL CHURCH SOCIETY MAGAZINE | Nov 20172

Intercontinental Church SocietyUnit 11 Ensign Business Centre, Westwood Way, Westwood Business Park, Coventry, CV4 8JA

telephone +44 (0) 24 7646 3940 email [email protected] web www.ics-uk.orgRegistered charity no: 1072584; a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales no: 3630342

Intercontinental Church Society (ICS) is an Anglican mission agency. Founded in 1823, we have worked in most parts of the world, ministering and reaching out to people from many nationalities and backgrounds. From the early days we have planted churches in mainland Europe where our work is still strong but also in and around the Mediterranean, North Africa, the South Atlantic and South America. English language ministry has a strategic part to play, alongside national churches, in

outreach as increasing numbers for whom English is a second language, attend English-speaking churches.

Design by Greyjones Studio • Printed by Swan Print

A time for everythingEcclesiastes 3 tells us there is a time for everything. For ICS it feels that 2017 has been in a time of ‘new work’. New opportunities, new ministries, new programmes seem to be coming at us from every direction and we have been privileged to be able to prayerfully respond positively and get behind a number of them.

It makes leading ICS both a joy and a challenge. A joy, as it’s always a privilege to see new things birthed, but a challenge as so many new things have teething pains and that movement from idea to reality and then reality to maturity is fraught with difficulties.

As you read through ICS News, you will encounter ministries that are new and those that are established. You will read about people you have met before and others who are just arriving. Two new arrivals are James Buxton and Nicholas Mercer. James Buxton started his ministry at St. John’s, Izmir in September and Nicholas Mercer will be licensed in Christ Church Cathedral in the Falkland Islands in January 2018. I commend them to you and I hope that with me, you will pick up a sense of the dynamism and energy that surrounds ICS.

Someone once told me that the word for enthusiasm has its roots in being inspired by God, something about being moved by His spirit. Our hope and prayer at ICS is that we are moved by the spirit of God to be enthusiasts for those things that burn at the very heart of God. So, I commend to you ICS, I commend this newsletter for your information but also to guide your prayers.

Finally, when reading the history of mission, the nineteenth century can be seen as the golden age of mission, the age within which ICS was born. I am coming to believe we live in the golden age of mission now, with all the opportunities and challenges that God is leading us into.

Nicholas Mercer, FalklandsJames Buxton, Izmir

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INTERCONTINENTAL CHURCH SOCIETY MAGAZINE | Nov 20173

ICS was delighted to welcome so many supporters and friends at the 2017 AGM and Showcase on Thursday 7 September at the St. Aldates Parish Centre in

Oxford. The theme this year was ‘New Destinations’.

The meeting started with Vice-Chair Angela Marshall thanking Council members Dominic Newstead and Keith Robbins who stepped down, for their time and commitment. She referred to the Annual Report and the sense of excitement of the opportunities ICS has. The staff was thanked as were the volunteers, the seasonal and permanent chaplains, as well as our supporters—as we all work together to serve the Lord and work for the growth of the Kingdom.

The following new members were elected to ICS Council: The Very Revd Dr Stephen Hance, The Rt Revd Richard Jackson, Mrs Elizabeth Skudder and The Revd Canon Dr Gary Wilton. Re-elected were: The Revd Michael Sanders, The Rt Revd Henry Scriven and Mrs Valerie Thomas. Elected as Honorary Treasurer was Mr Christopher Weller. The Accounts were reviewed and adopted, and the Auditors were reappointed for another year. Christopher Weller gave an update on the financial accounts.(The accounts are on the ICS website or a copy can be posted.)

AGM Life Memberships received

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INTERCONTINENTAL CHURCH SOCIETY MAGAZINE | Nov 20174

The AGM is also a time to thank members for their work and commitment to ICS. Life Memberships were awarded to: Michael and Daphne Savage for their work as seasonal chaplains and prayer group leaders and John and Jane Dinnen for promoting ICS in Northern Ireland. David and Jennifer Rouch and Jenifer Pontin were all recognised for their contributions to ICS seasonal mission but they could not be with us in person.

Francis Blight spoke about his ministry in Heiloo. Heiloo is part of the Christ Church Amsterdam chaplaincy located a forty kilometre drive north of Amsterdam—quite a distance away. There are thirty-eight members on the electoral roll and over the last ten years, the average attendance has been fifteen children, thirty-five adults, so fifty in all. It is a family-sized church, it is stable, and has a small committed pool of people looking after the ministry. Heiloo is seeking to become an independent chaplaincy in the Diocese in Europe and recently the Heiloo electoral role voted 24 for and 3 against this proposal.

Francis described that at his appointment in 2012 he was set the goal to grow the congregation numerically and financially to see if a full-time post could be sustained. Four growth goals were set: (1) grow the number of people we minister to, (2) grow the depth of the church through caring, learning, serving and equipping, (3) grow our finances so that we continue to be able to support our ministry cost, (4) grow a new church in Alkmaar. In 2014 we launched the ‘Discovery Service’ a service that friends, family and neighbours can be invited to, we also launched a new brand logo website and since 2013 we have trained leaders to run a range of courses for evangelism, discipleship and pastoral care. In 2015, we hired a venue in Alkmaar where we ran Alpha as a fledgling move to starting a new congregation in the town. We organised a letterbox project, mailing thousands of homes in Alkmaar, Heiloo and Bergen to make ourselves

better known. Since 2014 we have run a stand at the Uit & Zo Heiloo event, an opportunity for not-for-profit organisations to show what they have to offer at the beginning of the school year. It has been great for building a team and for working together with people from the church.

Even though we have invested in all this outreach, the church has not grown numerically and our finances have not quite come up to the level necessary to sustain a full-time chaplain. No-one has been converted to a saving faith in Jesus yet. So, we have had to recognise that at the end of the five-year chaplaincy plan in 2019 the post in Heiloo will need to be part-time again. That has been hard, we had a plan and we have had a serious go at it but in that short timescale we have not succeeded. Church growth is connected to geographical and sociological factors, we can’t just do the right thing and expect church growth. There are not as many expats in Heiloo as there are in Amsterdam, Utrecht or The Hague. It is the reality of ministry on the Continent: some days it is hard and discouraging but it is good to take strategic risks for the growth of God’s Kingdom and not to succeed than to never have a go in the first place. Francis asked for continued prayer for Heiloo’s independence; for God’s wisdom, leading, direction and timing.

Brian Heasley, the International Director of 24/7 Prayer GB was the keynote speaker. ICS is looking to work in Ibiza in partnership with 24/7 and the Ibiza chaplaincy.

Brian started by saying that we can’t do mission without prayer. Just like breathing, if we would stop, we die. We breath in and we breath out, we breath His presence in prayer, we spend time with Him, we come to services, we worship, we breath Him in but we breath the Father out in mission, we breath out in love, in kindness to others. Quite simply mission is about breathing in and out.

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INTERCONTINENTAL CHURCH SOCIETY MAGAZINE | Nov 20175

24/7 is a movement for 18-25 year olds who do have a heart and passion for mission, a passion to see Europe transformed, particularly since Brexit. In 2005, Brian and his wife Tracy were called to ministry with 24/7 in San Antonio, Ibiza, with their young sons. The first seven months they just prayed, they did not decide on immediate strategies but prayed. From midnight until 6 in the morning they would go out into the town. There were two teams of six people. One team would go out for one hour and walk around the streets offering prayer and help to people and the other team would stay in the prayer room and pray and then we would swap. We would ask people, ‘Can we pray for you?’ First there would be requests for generic prayers like ‘world peace’ but then requests would become more intimate and it would be for family members, illnesses etc. The openness of people was amazing. When people are on holiday they are more open and relaxed, taking more time to think and ponder. Not only did we pray for people but we picked them up when they were drunk and took them

home, we helped them. It is not only prayer but also kindness that leads people to repent. Connecting to broken people through prayer.

Richard Bromley concluded by saying that ICS has been called to explore ‘New Destinations’ like Ibiza, and in Grenoble where there is this real challenge of trafficked people landing there and so we are planning how we minister to them and that is a new work for us. In Rotterdam, we are looking to set up a ministry amongst Pakistani people, in Corfu we have supported a youth mission, in Algeria we are working with locals who are coming to faith. In Lyon where Ben Harding, the chaplain, is starting to do Alpha in a secular university, and in new locations like Izmir and Kortrijk. Our aim is to be faithful to His call in this, so we appreciate your support, your prayer, the times when you phone and say ‘we are behind you’. Because together we want to grasp the opportunities we are being given today. ICS is on the move!

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INTERCONTINENTAL CHURCH SOCIETY MAGAZINE | Nov 20176

At the end of 2013, as I was coming up to the end of my time in the Royal Navy, we started looking to see what was available ‘outside’. The chaplaincy in Naples immediately caught our eye (Carole was based here in the ‘80’s with the navy) and after a Skype interview from Crete, while deployed on a ship to the Mediterranean, I was offered the job. In October 2014, we arrived here.

Naples is a unique city; vibrant, chaotic, but changing rapidly so that today tourists can feel safe, and most drivers even stop at red lights! It has a declining British expat community, many married to Neapolitans, and about 100 British military personnel and their families at the NATO base (where I also work 1-2 days a week as their chaplain), a tiny contingent compared to the 8,000 U.S. personnel at their Navy headquarters here. At the church, we also get a number of other nationalities and some Italians. So it is a very international, mixed but transient community.

In the past the church has had a traditional emphasis, but as the only English-speaking church in the city, we are keen that it has a broader appeal and also caters for those who are looking for something more contemporary. Change is difficult, both for people and for leaders, especially when resources are so limited. We are running Alpha on the NATO base and at the church twice a year.Bishop Robert suggested joining ICS as associates, and we really appreciate the fellowship and support you give us.

ASSOCIATE MINISTRY PARTNERS

Jon and Carole Backhouse – Naples, Italy

NAPLES

ICS is delighted to have welcomed many new Associate Ministry Partners this last year. Here we introduce four of them.

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INTERCONTINENTAL CHURCH SOCIETY MAGAZINE | Nov 20177

Frank Sawyer is the Chaplain in Lisbon.‘My family and I arrived in Lisbon a year ago and I began my ministry in Lisbon on 1 October 2016. Ginnelle and I are originally from Canada where I began my ordained ministry in 1997. Our two daughters, Maggie and Pippa, were born in the United States, where I spent sixteen years ministering in education as a Chaplain, Upper Division Head and Headmaster in Episcopal Church schools. While in California, I earned a Doctor of Ministry at The Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley with a focus in education. My initial contact with ICS was in 2014-2015 when I took a sabbatical year and served as the Locum Chaplain of Holy Trinity Church in Corfu. This experience affirmed our sense of God’s call to both ministry and family life abroad, leading me to take up the post of Chaplain of Greater Lisbon.

In Portugal, we were warmly welcomed by the congregations at St. George’s, Lisbon, and St. Paul’s, Estoril. Although two separate churches, Greater Lisbon is a united chaplaincy that works well together on the council and in the services and events that bring us together. This Christian community spirit was on full display for the visit of Bishop David in September where he confirmed individuals from Brazil, Nigeria, and Pakistan, followed by a reception with foods from several nations. During my first year of ministry we have re-established Sunday Schools at both churches, added bible study and fellowship groups, expanded our outreach ministry to those in need, started a monthly Healing Service and added some more contemporary music alongside the traditional. It is a blessing to see the Holy Spirit at work in Greater Lisbon.’

FRANK AND GINNELLE SAWYER – LISBON, PORTUGAL

LISBON

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INTERCONTINENTAL CHURCH SOCIETY MAGAZINE | Nov 20178

Jeremy Cross is the Locum at Christ Church, Brittany. He writes: ‘How blessed we are that God has put us to live here in Brittany! Twelve years ago Suzanne and I felt that God wanted us to buy a house to retire to in Brittany. We looked to see where the Anglican chaplaincies were, and found Christ Church in Ploermel. We then drew a twenty-minute travelling time circle around Ploermel and knew that God had a property for us within that circle. And he had!

That was ten years ago. We’ve been living here for seven years since I retired, and last year we celebrated our Golden Wedding.

During these years, I have had the privilege of being interim Priest-in-Charge for two interregna, and very much value the support of ICS and its members. Over the last few months we have seen God working in our three congregations—we love our Sundays when we travel to our other two congregations in Rostrenen and Huelgoat. In Ploermel, we have 'La Source' which incorporates an English library, the 'La Source Singers', a salsa group and social evenings, all good opportunities to welcome anyone and everyone. On fifth Sundays we now hold Café Church and yes, during the informal service you can go and get yourself another coffee and pastry! And we are seeing folk come to faith in Christ. What more can you ask for?’

ASSOCIATE MINISTRY PARTNERS

JEREMy AND SUZANNE CROSS – BRITTANY, FRANCE

BRITTANY

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INTERCONTINENTAL CHURCH SOCIETY MAGAZINE | Nov 20179

Adam Boulter and his family moved to France just under a year ago. 'We moved to join this wonderful if rather eccentric chaplaincy. The scale and range of the chaplaincy was initially rather daunting as it covers the whole of this beautiful region of western France, which is larger than Wales, and welcomes a very wide range of church traditions, from none through every variety of church background.

We worship in fifteen worship centres most of which are either Catholic churches or Protestant temples as well as running various house groups. My first priority here was to just get to know my parishioners and their churches which was no small undertaking given the scale, and I have been struck by the deep sense of commitment both to God and to the local communities in all of the chaplaincy.

A year in, we are drawing up plans and working out how to respond to the needs of the English-language communities out here, especially in the light of Brexit. There is nervousness about what will happen in the future, but also much hope, and a desire to serve God and those in need—whatever happens on the international stage.'

ADAM AND BETH BOULTER – POITOU CHARENTES, FRANCE

POITOU-CHARENTES

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INTERCONTINENTAL CHURCH SOCIETY MAGAZINE | Nov 201710

SOS prayer

An unexpected incident happened at the start of our journey to Zermatt on board our plane, a clear indication of the kind of mission we were going to be engaged in. Everyone was safely seated with seat belts fastened when a problem occurred. The boarding steps had become firmly jammed under the door, making it impossible for it to close. All the commotion was very disconcerting to us, being seated on the front seat just next to the door. I silently prayed and suddenly the captain came up with a novel idea. He suggested that the front two rows of passengers should get up and walk to the back of the plane to see if that would tip up the plane enough to release the door. Miraculously it did! The steps were removed, the door was closed and our journey continued. The incident spoke to us in several ways. We saw that our small step to the back of the plane at the request of the captain resulted in the whole plane full of people taking off and heading towards their destination. How much more could God do in response to our obedience to His call to Zermatt. Above all I regarded the venture as answers to prayer. ‘Be anxious for nothing but everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.’

Mountain Prayer

I used this story as an illustration in my sermon on Sunday 23 July, as an answer to prayer. Encouragingly, it spoke to a lady in the congregation and prompted her to share her own recent answer to prayer. She and her non-Christian husband had been walking

high up the mountains during the week when a sudden rain storm caught up with them. They were drenched and this caused her husband to get very cold and he began to feel unwell and shiver badly. She silently prayed in desperation and was surprised to see that the clouds began to part, the rain stopped and a warm ray of sunshine appeared. They were able to descend the mountain safely and were even dried by the sunshine by the time they got to the bottom. It was good for her to share her experience which blessed both of us richly, and moved us into a session of pastoral care and prayers for her non-Christian husband, for which she thanked us.

Conversion

The declaration from Acts 6.4 that ‘we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word’ became a reality a few days later when a couple from Singapore called in at the church. The lady converted to Christianity four years ago, when she had a vision of Christ, who embraced her and said that He loved her. She was concerned that her boyfriend was a Buddhist and concerned about their incompatibility. I ministered to them in the church with an exposition on Isaiah 9:6, John 14:6 and John 3:16. Showing that Jesus is the only way to the Father. After this he expressed his desire to become a Christian. I led him through a repentance prayer followed by a prayer of commitment. Both were visibly moved and he described it as ‘a special day in his life’. We gave them some tracts and a copy of my book, One hundred mile prayer walk. They shared with us that they had been staying in Geneva, and that it was a last minute decision to visit Zermatt. They both felt, as we do, that they

by The Revd Canon Herrick and Mrs Judy Daniel

ZERMATT

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INTERCONTINENTAL CHURCH SOCIETY MAGAZINE | Nov 201711

had been brought to Zermatt especially so that he could come to make the most important decision of his life. They have returned home rejoicing and planning a Christian marriage.

Surprise

It has been said that the world is full of surprises, and we experienced one of the biggest of our mission on Sunday 6 August. Half an hour before our morning service was due to begin a Swiss policeman came into the church and informed us that the British Prime Minister, Theresa May would be attending the service. She attended with her husband Philip. Security was quite tight with two security people sitting at the back of church and others patrolling outside. They were even checking the bins outside the church. We found encouragement that our PM finds time to attend worship and communion, even on her holiday, surely a Christian witness. It made

it even more interesting with no musician available, resulting in Judy and I being compelled to do a double act leading worship on the guitar.

Conclusion

Both Judy and myself thoroughly enjoyed our stay and mission in Zermatt in the shadow of the famous Matterhorn. We met and prayed with people from several countries of the world, of different cultures, religions, races, colours, both Christian and non-Christian. We loved and blessed them all, both local and visitors. Our extraordinary journey which started with an SOS prayer, ended with praise and celebration–thanks be to God! The little chorus ‘come on and celebrate His love….’ gives a perfect ending to our unforgettable mission journey to Zermatt. Thanks to everyone who has been praying for us, this is highly appreciated.

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After nearly two years in the works, on 6 August 2017, Mel, Chris and myself (Rebecca) flew out to Corfu to work with Revd Jules Wilson and Holy Trinity Corfu (HTC) to run ‘Festival Jubilaté’. A three-week mission in the hope of reaching out to young people (especially locals) on the island and around Corfu town.

All our events were free and included things like a circus skills workshop, several film nights, a bi-weekly youth café, a pamper evening, taster seminars from Andrioti School, culminating in ‘Corfu’s Got Talent!’. We were able to offer this through the generous support of ICS, the Diocese in Europe, HTC and sending churches. We also had three discussion sessions, looking at topics like: ‘How can a good God exist when there’s suffering?’ and ‘Is Jesus really alive?’. On Sunday evenings, we had a time of worship and prayer ministry.I don’t know what we were expecting when we flew out but God took what we had

planned and ran with it! Although numbers at events were small, they were significant. We established good relationships with the people who came and helped to build up the church (the people, not the building!). We also had other opportunities outside of the events, such as meeting and chatting with the youths who used the church courtyard in the small hours of the morning (the three of us were staying in a flat above the church), and praying with local shop owners.

At the youth café, we had one teenager who came with his mum to most of the events, and we saw him really come out of his shell and join in with games and other silliness. ‘Corfu’s Got Talent!’ (our last event) pulled the biggest crowd, as one of the young performers brought several of his friends to watch; he only came because his neighbour, a lady from church, ventured to give him a leaflet advertising the event.

For me, personally, the times of worship and prayer ministry were the most uplifting.

By Rebecca Coatsworth and Revd Jules Wilson

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The Holy Spirit really moved among us, and blessed those who were there. Jules’ vision for the church and for how they can bless the local area seems to be limitless! We have seen significant, purposeful connections and communications during our time there. A young man, who came to our discussion sessions, left with a totally different perspective on prayer and how to pray. A young girl, who’s 10 years old and came with her grandmother, became a Christian on the very last weekend after hearing Mel’s testimony! We’re overjoyed that so much good came from a few free, fun events. Mel, Chris and I are looking forward to hearing more from the church in the following months.

I’ve stolen the last paragraph just to add a few words of thanks for Rebecca, Mel and Chris and to say one or two things they can’t! They are very spiritually gifted young people with a true passion to follow Jesus. Their faith and ministry brought a renewal effect upon the church (beyond

the young people they met) and was significant in helping us turn ourselves ‘inside-out’. Their confidence, fun and prayerful faithfulness is an inspiration. My prayer now is that the Holy Spirit will guide us in our next steps together… and that there is more to come… next year? (Jules)

Chris, Jules, Rebecca and Mel

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Ogechi is 17 years old, of Nigerian parents. Her family lived in Athens until she was about 11 years old before moving to Belgium. She speaks fluent Greek, Dutch and English.

The weather was not very warm or sunny as to associate the special reflection of light on Ogechi. Amazingly, as it truly was, or rather to symbolise one of her given names, she was ‘miraculously’ blessed by the presence of a heavenly light in vertical shape that came just before she went into the water. This light stayed profoundly and continuously on her throughout her baptism.

During her testimony in church, before her baptism, she expressed her deep desire to follow Christ for the rest of her life not minding what that may bring on her way. She spoke of God’s love and friendship as something to be sincerely reciprocated with love and devotion and not to be taken for granted. Speaking after her baptism, she said: ‘Being baptised is not just going into the water and coming back, it is taking a step, a decision of wanting to follow God and being one of his disciples. I am so glad I made the step. I feel I am closer to God and I am happy to know he loves me so much. Now I am working on knowing more about God and coming closer to him.’

Ogechi is the only one that goes to church among her friends and schoolmates. Like St. Paul, she is not ashamed of being the only one that believes within her circle of friends. However, she believes that God would use her to draw her friends and young people

of her generation to come to faith in Jesus Christ. She is now volunteering to assist at Sunday School and is also looking forward to being confirmed by Bishop Robert Innes in the Confirmation Service on 15 October at the English Church in Ostend.

Weekly church services in Kortrijk began in March this year. The congregation draws members and visitors of various cultural backgrounds. Revd Augustine Nwaekwe, who pastors the churches in Ostend, Bruges and Knokke, is being supported by a few lay and ordained volunteers who help to take weekly services in Kortrijk. Services are held in the Bidkapel of Sint-Jan-Baptistkerk at the Sint-Jansplein in the centre of Kortrijk. The planting of the English Church in Kortrijk is strategic and timely, and is expected to help serve the needs of English speakers within the southern part of West Flanders. This is a mission initiative of the chaplaincy of Ostend-Bruges which promises to enrich the mission of the Church in Belgium.

First Baptism Service in KortrijkOgechi is the middle name of the newest congregation member baptised in Kortrijk, an Igbo name that means ‘God’s time’. It was a joyous occasion for the family of Truth Ogechi Miracle and the new congregation in Kortrijk on Sunday 6 August 2017, an Adult Baptism Service by immersion. She was fully prepared for her baptism, and for her it happened at God’s timing.

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INTERCONTINENTAL CHURCH SOCIETY MAGAZINE | Nov 201715

At the ICS AGM and Showcase we were pleased to welcome a new Chairman, The Right Revd Richard Jackson who was ordained Bishop of Lewes in May 2014.

Originally from Wiltshire Richard studied at Oxford and trained for the ministry at Trinity College, Bristol. He has a scientific background and specialised in working in agriculture and worked as an agricultural consultant advising farmers across a range of issues. When he was ready to be ordained it was to Sussex where he served his curacy in the Parish of Lindfield.

He became Vicar of Rudgwick in 1998 and then was Rural Dean of Horsham from 2005 before taking up the role of Mission & Renewal Adviser and Leader of the Church Growth Team within the Diocese. The Bishop of Lewes has responsibility for most of East Sussex (apart from some parishes to the north of Brighton, and east of East Grinstead), the parishes of Shoreham and Southwick and a few small areas of Kent. His interests and passions are Mission and Church growth, lay ministry development and away from church: mountain walking and riding his motorbike.

At the ICS AGM on 7 September, Bishop Richard spoke on Luke 5: ‘The calling of the first disciples’ and this extraordinary catch of fish that the disciples brought in.

By this time, the disciples had seen quite a bit of Jesus’ ministry and were inspired by Him but were still involved in their existing occupations. The disciples were daunted to be called to follow Jesus. They would have asked themselves questions like ‘who will support and look after our families when we leave’ as they were the main breadwinners.

We ought to see this miracle that Jesus performs in the context of God providing the resources required for those He is calling. A regular catch of fish would be just a few fishes stuck by their gills in the net. Here though we have nets full to bursting, a veritable fortune in terms of the value of these fish. When the disciples hear this call to obedience, of following Jesus, what Jesus is demonstrating here is the wonder of His provision. That everything they could possibly need as provision for their families, has been provided right here, right now.

It is wonderful to be reminded of God’s provision as we think of the work of the Society, looking forward to new opportunities some of which might be quite stretching in terms of faith, some of which may be slightly daunting in terms of the financial implications of taking on specific projects. So, we are reminded here that our God is a God who provides for who He calls, who provides for the work of the Kingdom to which He is calling us. This is not an invitation to be foolish or slapdash in the way in which we go forward and engage in new projects but it is an invitation of encouragement to be open to the future and to be confident that God provides for us.

It is wonderful to celebrate the good things that are going on at ICS but also to look forward with confidence to what God is calling us to do next.

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DEVOTIONAL

The Rt Revd Richard Jackson

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Cambridge Impington Church Hall, Impington CB24 9ZUContact Dennis Sadler 01223 232 194

CheltenhamContact Audrey Martin-Doyle 01242 510 352

ExeterMonday 8 January at 11 amContact John Philpott 01395 225 044

EdinburghWednesday 10 January from 10.45 am10 Kirkhill Terrace, Edinburgh EH16 5DQContact Chris Martin 0131 668 4071 [email protected]

KeighleyFriday 12 January from 10.30 am for coffee and 11am-12 noon for prayer.42 Hollins Lane, Keighley, BD20 6LT Contact Michael Savage 01535 606 790

NorfolkThe Vicarage, 37 Church Road, Tilney St Lawrence, Kings Lynn PE34 4QQContact Martin Dale 01945 880 259

North BirminghamThursday 7 December, 8 February at 7.30 pm12 Trinity Close, Shenstone, WS14 0NU Contact Tim Cox at [email protected]

Northern Ireland74 Demesne Road, Seaforde, Ballynahinch, BT24 8NSContact John Dinnen 028 44 811 148

South EastThursdays 9 November, 14 December and 11 January at 10 am The Rectory, Cock Lane, Hamstreet, Kent TN26 2HUContact Rod Whateley 01233 732 274

WarwickMonday 15 January at 7.30 pm11 Verden Avenue, Chase Meadow, Warwick CV34 6RXContact Anna Hopkins 07745 223 580

The WirralMonday 13 November at 7.30 pm 11 Stanford Ave, Wallesey CH45 5APContact Peter Jordan 0151 639 7860

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