Prayer Breakfasts

These meetings are not just for leaders but for anyone who would like to meet and share with other Christians from around the town and pray together for what’s going on.

All begin at 7.30 am.

Dates for 2010 are:

January 9th – Salvation Army
February 13th – St Nicolas
March 13th – St George’s
April 10th – St Mary’s, Greenham
May 8th – Glendale
June 12th – St Nicolas
July 10th – Newbury Methodist Church
August – no meeting
September 11th – St Mary’s, Greenham
October 9th – Kennet Christian Centre
November 13th – St Mary’s, Shaw
December 11th – Newbury Baptist Church

CTNA Election Hustings – The Questions

Here are the questions which were sent in for yesterday evening’s hustings event (listed in the order in which they were received). Candidates who would like to answer any of the questions we didn’t have time for are welcome to send responses to info@ctna.org.uk

1. I should like to know what the candidates’ response is to the continued detention of the children of Asylum seekers.  I gather that the Lib Dems have pledged to bring this to an end, what are the views of other local candidates? (Isobel Collyer)

2. I would like to ask the candidates if they support all that is written in the Westminster 2010 Declaration (see here for details). If not what parts can they not support? (Peter Boyce)

3. Hannah Cooper is reported as dreading the thought of a Conservative government as they would cut benefits. I’d like to know what Hannah thinks of the fact that the Labour government has turned the welfare system into a lifestyle choice for far too many who have no intention of working. (anonymous)

4. If no single party gets an overall majority, would you see the result as a “hung parliament” or a “balanced parliament”? (Simon Pike)

5. a. The current school fees at Nick Clegg’s old school, Westminster, are £28,000 a year and it is without doubt one of the best in the country. Why was he so adamantly anti Grammar School on the TV Debate when it is the only way that a very bright child from a poor family can get a first class education and not be slowed down by the slower learners in State Schools? b. Would the Chairman please ask members of the audience the following question: Please put your hand up if having won the lottery, you would still send your children to a State School, and not consider a Private School like Nick Clegg or David Cameron went to. (William Austin)

6. In view of the fact that the Nuclear Deterrent has kept the peace in Europe for 65 years does the panel think that Nick Clegg’s plan, not to update Trident, is taking a risk? (William Austin)

7. Nick Clegg’s comment that Brown must be desperate to want to join his party to the Lib Dems can be taken two ways. Which way should we take it? A good idea, or the last straw! (William Austin)

8. What is your view of the EU refusing to acknowledge God in its Lisbon Treaty, and how long do you think it will be before it becomes an offence to publicly acknowledge God in the UK? (anonymous)

9. With the recent cases of a number of Christian guest-house owners, being taken to court over refusing to let rooms to homosexuals, do you think it is right on moral grounds to refuse a service to someone who, in your view, is corrupt? (anonymous)

10. My question would be to Richard Benyon, to ask why he’s so keen for the Government to encourage and promote the export of arms to countries around the world, and why he opposed the closure of DESO (the Defence Export Services Organisation), despite campaigns in favour from human rights organisations and church leaders. The question could be extended to the other candidates by asking them their opinions on the UK’s role in arms trading as well. (Tom Waters)

11. If elected, will they oppose any extension of Sunday trading hours in shops? Will they support a reduction of 24/7 licensing? (James and Carol Cochrane)

12. The BBC receives £3.5 billion each year. In the light of today’s economic climate, the development of broadcasting generally and recent events within the BBC, do the candidates consider this amount of public money can be currently justified and how do the candidates see the future of broadcasting in this country? (Roy Tubb)

13. I wish to put the following question to the candidates this evening. I realise the issue is sensitive, and so I have put alternative questions on the same topic, to be considered in the order given. a. Going to war is a grave matter. We invaded both Iraq and Afghanistan on the basis of claims which were later found to be untrue. If elected to parliament, will you call for a public inquiry into the invasion of Afghanistan? b. Have party candidates received instructions from headquarters: “Don’t mention the war”, in accordance with the CIA report into shoring up Afghan war support in Western Europe, which was recently leaked by wikileaks.org ? c. If after the election you find yourselves in the cabinet, what lessons would you hope to learn, and at whose expense? (Ian Fantom)

14. I would like that the candidates be quizzed on Health Care services in Newbury. I would like to know if they think it is justified that we appear to have fewer services now than we did 20 years ago when Newbury was much smaller. (Nina Flynn)

15. Recognising that there are many church schools serving this area, what is your parties policy on the future support and development of Faith Schools? (Francis Connolly)

16. It would now be easily possible to incorporate a device in all new road vehicles, that automatically constrains them to travel at a speed within the limit in force on the road where the vehicle is, e.g. by means of GPS. If this system was in general use, it would be effective in improving road safety, and also greatly improve fuel consumption of vehicles, thus deceasing their carbon footprint. In order to ensure that this system was installed and used, it would be necessary to pass legislation in parliament (as in the case of seat belts). Would you be in favour of this, and, if not, what are your objections to it? (Alan Booth)

CTNA Election Hustings

With the General Election taking place on May 6th, we have invited the candidates in the Newbury constituency to an evening when questions from the public will be put to them and we will have the opportunity to see and hear them for ourselves. The date is Saturday April 24th, from 7.30 pm to 9.00 pm in St Nicolas Church Hall, Newbury. We have invited Brien Beharrell, editor of the Newbury Weekly News, to chair this meeting. Questions should be emailed to info@ctna.org.uk in advance so that they can be marshalled in a way which ensures that areas of interest are covered without unnecessary duplication and overlap. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Leaders Conference

The CTNA Executive Committee has been reflecting on how we as Christians in the Newbury area can build on the past and become more effective in what God has called us to be and to do in partnership with one another.

To this end we would like to convene a gathering of the leadership teams of member churches and organisations to give us an opportunity to get to know each other, to worship and pray together, and to consider what we currently do and what we could do in the future to further CTNA’s aims:

To provide means of communication between the churches
To facilitate common witness to Christ by member churches and organisations
To work and pray for Christian unity
To represent Christians within the community in Newbury

We have set aside the morning of Saturday November 20th 2010 for this. Full details will be announced in due course.

Dates for 2010

Please click here for details of CTNA’s plans for the year.

Would churches and member organisations also like to email info@ctna.org.uk with details of big events in the diary for 2010 so that we can avoid clashes in planning? Many thanks.

Shoemakers

Shoemakers is a Christian presence in the heart of the commercial life of the town. It can only continue with the active support of every Christian; without your help it cannot survive. A Fundraising Dinner has been organised for Friday 12 March – an opportunity for you to enjoy a three course meal, listen to an entertaining Speaker, Peter Walker, and learn more of Shoemakers plans for the year ahead. Please promote this to your friends, but even better, come and show your support: tickets available at Shoemakers now.

Also we really do need help in promoting Shoemakers activities to churches. If you feel you could support the shop by being the contact for your church please let Steve know by emailing office@christophershoemaker.org.uk

Mr Darwin’s Tree

Mr Darwin’s Tree is the latest collaboration between Murray Watts and Andrew Harrison. Writer/Director Murray Watts is known internationally for his work as a dramatist (he was a founding director of Riding Lights Theatre Company), screenwriter (The Miracle Maker), film-maker and author. Andrew Harrison has appeared many times in theatre productions ranging from the fringe to the West End, and has had a long career in TV, Film, Radio and Stage. He is regarded as one of the country’s outstanding solo performers.

Mr Darwin’s Tree was commissioned by the Bible Society and written during the bicentenary of Charles Darwin’s birth. It was premiered in Westminster Abbey to great acclaim. The play is already attracting considerable interest because of its focus on the relationship between Darwin (an agnostic) and his wife Emma (a Christian), and its bold treatment of issues around science, faith, love and human destiny. The play is aimed at a general audience of all beliefs and persuasions. It intends to entertain, challenge and move all who encounter it and is suitable for anyone over the age of sixteen.

It will be performed at St Nicolas Church, Newbury at 7.30 pm on Sunday May 23rd. Tickets £7 (£4 concessions) available from Shoemakers or on the evening at the door.

An Evening with Shell Perris

Shell Perris is coming to Newbury to perform a concert with an acoustic band, in partnership with YFC (Youth for Christ) at Newbury Baptist Church on Friday 14th May from 7.30 pm to 9.00 pm (approx). This is being organised by Sue MacIntyre (Newbury Family Church) under the banner of CTNA. Tickets will cost £2.50 and will be available from April 24th at Shoemakers or from local church contacts.

Shell Perris is an evangelist, singer, songwriter, speaker and author. Her passion is to get people excited about God and to let the world know that he is head-over-heels in love with every single one of us. Her bubbly personality and powerful life-story challenge and inspire the hearts of many. She became a Christian at the age of 15 whilst suffering with an eating disorder and after being told that she had only 8 weeks left to live, God miraculously healed her and transformed her life. For the last 7 years she has travelled all over the UK and beyond telling people about God and his unconditional love. She has had 4 books published, including her autobiography ‘Made To Be Me’ and in November 2009 she released her second solo album “Beautiful Life”. She is also a trustee for Girls Brigade Ministries.

Here’s how we can help…

1. Shell will lead a response time at the end of the evening. As a group of churches we are asked to provide a prayer/response team made up of men and women (who will need to be duly authorised by their appropriate church leaders) willing to spend time with those who answer the call to give their lives to Christ or who renew their commitment to Christ at the end of the evening.

2. Sue is also looking for people who are either involved or in contact with schools/youth groups/mother & toddler groups etc who she could contact to arrange for them to promote and sell tickets. She would especially like someone from the Girls Brigade as Shell is a Trustee of this organisation.

3. Are there a couple of people over the age of 18 who would be available throughout the evening to sell Shell and Youth for Christ merchandise on a couple of tables at the back of Baptist church from 7.00pm to 9.30pm on the evening of concert?

4. Shell and her team will provide posters to advertise events and also the artwork for flyers and tickets. Is anyone able to take this on and print flyers and tickets?

Please contact Sue Macintyre directly at smacintyre@westberks.org

Spiritual Direction

Saturday 8th May 2010, 10.30 am – 4 pm, at Douai Abbey, Upper Woolhampton. A Taster Workshop facilitated by members of the Oxford Spiritual Direction Network. Have you ever thought you would like some help with your spiritual journey or your prayer life? Is Spiritual Direction talked about in your local church? Come to the workshop and discover resources and ideas to take away. For further information ring Jane Booth on 01635 30343 and to book see www.soulfriend.org.uk.

Easter Sunday

The traditional SUNRISE SERVICE at 7.00 am will take place at the new venue of Donnington Castle this year and gives us the opportunity to pray over Newbury on this uniquely special day. Please allow up to 15 minutes to walk up to the Castle from the car park. Please contact Marion Drobig (mariondrobig@hotmail.com) if you would like to take up the kind offer of breakfast at St Mary’s Church, Shaw after this event.

The music team at St Mary’s, Shaw was hoping to host a couple of hours of outreach in Victoria Park on the afternoon of Easter Sunday but, sadly, this event has had to be cancelled.