infusenews

Fresher Fare Plans 2008

Although exams have only just finished University is already getting ready for next year going.  We’ve had a meeting with Churches Together representatives to think about our preparations in the Christian community for the arrival of new students in Sept.  Last year we offered a free Sunday roast dinner, with stalls from the local churches.  This was a new venture and although successful we need to learn from it.  The feeling this year has been that there are really two things that we are being called to do here – one is to help Christian students connect with local churches and the other is the calling to a ministry of welcome and service to all the student population.

It took a little time to tease these things out in our preliminary meeting so plans are still a little vague but the consensus was that we should offer:-

•    A Churches Together stall at the Freshers’ Fayre (25th – 26th Sept.)
•    An event with food and information from the local churches on the afternoon or evening of Sun. 5th Oct., targeted at students who are looking to get in touch with a local church or find an Alpha Course etc.
•    Continued contact through the year via e mail with all the students who give us details at the Freshers’ Fayre altering them to what is going on in the local churches
•    Possibly a second event at the very beginning of the summer term with a more outreach focus– this is a point of considerable stress for many students as exams approach, and often proves more of a crisis than the arrivals period.  It would be a good time for us to be expressing the concern and support of the Christian Community.

We will keep you posted – for more information contact me at chaplaincy@kingston.ac.uk or Richard James:t richard@oxygen-online.org

Bank Holiday Hope: Roy Crowne's Message

“What did you do over the May Bank Holiday?” is the familiar question asked the length and breadth of the UK each year, as many respond by mumbling the benign mantra “We had a barbecue and then did some DIY.” How refreshing for many of us to answer this question differently, by citing the many projects we’ve helped organize or taken part in as part of Hope08.

Early May Bank Holiday saw Hope08’s One Million Hours Of Kindness initiative roll out across the UK. The Hope website highlights a few other events below that took place or are scheduled to run over the next few weeks, to encourage you that Hope08 really is building in missionary momentum.

What next? Well, fast approaching on the horizon is the next key initiative: Summer Activities. Here we’re going to see some amazing Hope social action projects taking place. For exampleBath YFC are running a huge BBQ in addition , there’s the usual summer festivals scheduled in, but this year the feel and sense of practical urgency is going to be tangible as we hear many youth feedback all they’ve been doing so far in Hope08 and together thousands more are inspired and commissioned to lock into the remaining initiatives: Hope Explored - Harvest & The Gift Of Hope - Christmas.

The Hope Revolution continues to go from strength to strength, with so many young people feeding back on our social networking sites the amazing and the inspiring times they had encountering God at Spring Harvest.

Take a look at the messages left on their Bebo site.

What’s God got to do with it?

The very word ‘theology’ is a turn-off for many activists. Too often, theology seems abstract and disconnected from the reality of day to day community work. Often a gap emerges between the activists and the reflectors to the detriment of both sides. But we believe that for social activists good theology can be like the roots of a healthy tree –it can resource, nourish and sustain effective community mission. This interactive and fun day will offer an alternative to an academic approach. It will help you reconnect your work to your deepest convictions and gain vision for how to integrate a down to earth theology into your front line work.

The day will include:

• Unpacking key theological ideas that underpin community mission
• Maintaining the Christianity in our Christian community projects
• Inspiration for seeing success through Jesus’ eyes rather than our funders?
• Practical ideas to help you and your team think theologically in your community work
• The facilitator for the day is Mark Perrott, who has worked in the inner city for 18 years.

He spent six years working for the Earls Court Project with those caught up in homelessness and life-controlling issues. He is now Chief Executive of the Catalyst Trust and pioneered Urban Mission Toolkit, a year-long practical course for Christians who want to learn to put their faith into action in the midst of urban poverty. He has helped many people gain fresh vision and excitement for urban mission. To book: Contact Jill Clark on 020 7452 2018 or jclark@livability.org.uk Takes place Wednesday 11 June 9.45am - 3.30pm

(We start promptly at 10.00am) £10/person to be paid on the day (includes lunch) Salvation Army Territorial HQ, 101 Newington Causeway, Elephant and Castle, SE1 6BN

Living as an ordinary radical?

Living as an ordinary radical: A dialogue with Shane Claiborne

Faithworks, Livability Community Mission and Tearfund are hosting a free discussion evening with Shane Claiborne, author of The Irresistible Revolution and founder of The Simple Way community in Philadelphia.

It takes place on Wednesday 30 April 2008 Church.co.uk, 1a Kennington Road, London, SE1 7QP 7:30pm Free To book: In difference to our normal events, booking is not necessary. Arriving early is recommended, though, as this event will be popular.

Vacancy: Youth for Christ Theatre Company

Do you have the skills, passion and creativity and drive to pioneer an all new Youth for Christ Theatre Company working in Schools across the UK. You will need proven Acting, Leadership and Directing experience and ability to motivate, support and recruit staff and volunteers. You will be working alongside a vibrant creative team using theatre and drama to communicate the good news of Jesus to young people. The successful candidate will be well organised with excellent communication skills.

Salary in the range of: £16,621 – £22,962

The deadline for the application is 21st April. for more contact www.yfc.co.uk

The POWERHOUSE returns

Last year prayer was at the centre of all that took place as right in the middle of the year, during the month of May a non stop prayer room, called POWERHOUSE was opened at the prayer chapel in the YMCA in Victoria Road, Surbiton. The results of that week or prayer were obvious for all who took part, with lots of brilliant stories, times of blessing and some wonderful unity. Then straight after the week when the prayer was transferred to the healing fields at Kingston’s Green Fair the result was huge, and in words echoing a story of Jesus, at times there was not enough “labourers” to pray with those requesting it!

The good news is that this year POWERHOUSE returns, once again leading up to the Green Fair. As with last time, there will be 1 hour slots that can be taken by individuals, groups of friends, church groups, prayer groups or house groups and lots of other issues can be prayed for. This year the room opens at 6pm on the 18th May and finishes at 6pm on Sunday 25th May. The Green Fair is on 26th May during which people will be invited to come and join the prayer team

You can download a POWERHOUSE poster by clicking the link below, or for more information and how to book your prayer place email Paul Jacobs

Download Powerhouse08 poster.pdf (130.1K)

BBC’s Passion

The BBC’s new drama series The Passion goes out in prime time on BBC1 this Sunday 16th March (Palm Sunday). This is an amazing series, it is high budget and brilliantly acted. Joseph Mawle plays Jesus Christ with panache. He isn't the wimpy "Gentle Jesus meek and mild" of the hymn, he is a bold, radical, exciting, charismatic man, who also loves all whom he meets, and constantly seeks to make people's lives better. His parables are delivered with wit and a smile, and he wrong foots the religious leaders all the time. I watched these films and thought if I was around 2000 years ago, I would have followed this man too! I really encourage you to watch this show, and re-live the greatest story ever.

For more info on BBC1's The Passion ,the official site is HERE

The programme schedule is

Palm Sunday 16 March, BBC ONE, 8-9pm (after Eastenders)

Monday 17 March, BBC ONE, 8.30-9pm (after Eastenders)

Good Friday 21st March, BBC ONE, 9-10pm (after Question of Sport)

Easter Sunday 23rd March, BBC ONE, time TBC (around 8pm)

taken from Mark Russell's reflections

An Evening of Music

You are cordially invited to ST Pauls Church, Kingston Hill on 26^th April 2008 to an evening of high quality music featuring Marilyn Hill Smith, Adam Daye, Gillian Tingay (on Harp), Alison Renvoise and the

St Paul

's School Choir. Tickets from the evening cost £7 (on the door) and proceeds from the event go to support the work of Street Pastors Kingston (Oxygen).   

This event is the latest in the ‘Tony and Friends’ concert that regularly feature a wide range of classical and operatic pieces and draw on a wide range of musicians from professional performers to Tony's pupils and local schools. For more information and to book tickets contact the church office 02085495444

Download Event Flyer.pdf (128.3K)

The Future of Christian Youth Work

FYT and Worth Unlimited have produced a paper after their 'The Future of Christian Youth Work' consultations. (thanks to Rob Ryan for pointing me to this)

http://fyt.org.uk/userpdfs/2c61f7900a7a64c0b1a7.pdf

Contraception: Why not?

Professor Janet E Smith

Thursday 6 March 2008, Westminster Cathedral Hall, 7-9pm

Why does the Catholic Church keep insisting, in the face of the opposite position held by most of the rest of the modern world, that contraception is one of the worst inventions of our time? Thirty years ago the case in favor of contraception seemed eminently reasonable. But the widespread use of contraception has had so many devastating effects on marriage, the family, and society as a whole, that the Pope's predictions about it make him now look, it retrospect, like a modern day prophet.

Professor Smith offers a stimulating opportunity to seriously reconsider the modern enthusiasm for contraception. her message has captivated audiences all around the world, particularly married couples, those considering marriage, catechists, counsellors, doctors, priests and seminarians.

Janet Smith teaches Life Ethics at Sacred Heart Seminary Detroit USA.

Places are limited. Entrance fee: £5.
Please register at cathmacgillivray@rcdow.org.uk
020 7931 6064  
see more at 

            Download janetsmith.pdf (75.2K)