John Sherbourne

Next Monday and Tuesday – November 25th and 26th – MBC will be hosting its traditional Rewind to Christmas project. For the uninitiated Rewind is MBC’s largest children’s outreach venture. It’s the time when almost 400 Year 4 pupils from nine local primary schools call in to see us and learn through a mix of drama, craft, story telling and teaching what we as Christians believe Christmas is really all about.

This year, however, with Shelley Dring at the helm it’s fair to say that each and every one of our young visitors and their teachers will be in for an extra special treat. That’s because next week Shelley who is not only vastly experienced in children’s work but also in theatre, dance and performance art is introducing a number of new features which without breaking with almost two decades of MBC tradition will breath new life into this much loved project.  

Please pray for Rewind to Christmas, pray for Shelley and her team but most of all pray that over each of our four, ninety minute sessions our visitors, children of all faiths and none will see and hear a presentation that is rooted in a story that is as relevant today as it was over 2,000 years ago.  

Oh, and if you have time to spare next Monday or Tuesday it’s still not too late to join us. For more information contact  Shelley either via the MBC office (0113 2693750) or by emailing shelley.dring.mbc@btconnect.com 

Rewind is brilliant for the kids and equally so for the team – don’t miss out.

Ben Powell has devised a brilliant plan to incorporate sport, bible study, prayer and food. However, for this to work Ben needs your help. Here’s Ben’s suggestions together with his contact details.

We are looking to build a group within the Church who might be interested in the following:

Structure:

– meeting to play some sport

– going back to someone’s home for food and conversation

– some time in prayer and focused study of the bible 

Ethos and accessibility:

– anyone is welcome to be part of the group

– there is a commitment to play, eat after and study 

– if you are part of the group you feel OK to host at some point

Logistics:

– a core team need to coordinate activity, hire a sport venue and ensure someone can host for food and study

– meet once every 6 weeks

– different types of sport (e.g. football, badminton, bowls, table tennis, snooker, squash etc- rotational)

– roughly 3-4 hours of your time

– the group co-fund the sport venue

Could you email Ben Powell (benpowell_10@hotmail.com) if you are: 

1) interested in being part of this group

2) you would like to be a core team member who will help coordinate 

3) outline any sports/activities that you particularly enjoy

Ben will then arrange an initial core meeting to set up the first number of dates/venues/homes and then communicate this to the wider group. 

Sunday’s Commissioning Service for Shelley Dring and James Wilde was far more than a time of welcome and blessing for two new members of staff. As the centrepiece of a service based around the theme of how ancient stones designed for one purpose can come to life and take on a new role the event was actually a recognition and celebration of all the work carried out by MBC’s Children and Youth teams.

In what might perhaps be described as a cross between a high five conga and the age old children’s nursery rhythm Oranges and Lemons the entire congregation were invited to weave their way between two columns of youngsters before those who actually serve on team (upwards of forty people) found themselves standing at the front of church.

I’m sure that for Shelley, our Children and Family Worker and for James, our Pioneer Youth Lead it was a very special day. However, I’m equally certain that for the whole MBC family it was a reminder of just how much emphasise the church continues to put on the nurture, spiritual growing and support of all.

The gallery below shows some more pictures taken on the day. To see a larger copy of any of them simply click on the image.

Okay so maybe it’s not the most energetic game of table tennis you’ve ever seen but you have to agree that with a combined age of 186 both of our players deserve gold!

John Hornby kindly sent in this video which he shot at this week’s Lunch Club, and which shows Raymond Newton and Jean Hiley.  Who won remains a mystery.

What next I wonder: hurling, curling, quoits?  

Sam’s Safaris visited Lunch Club this week to provide an interactive handling session. Sam’s Safaris is an animal education company providing  amazing animal encounters with exotic and rare animals from all over the world.

Our Lunch Club regulars enjoyed meeting a selection of creatures including Milly the millipede, Jaffa the tortoise and Tony the tiger salamander amongst others.

Here are a selection of photographs from the session.

What and exciting morning we had today (Sunday September 15th) as a packed church celebrated a baptism and seven people being welcomed into membership.

The baptism was that of Rochelle Peter, a lovely young woman who is currently studying dentistry abroad but who’s family are long standing MBC regulars.  The picture above shows Rochelle with friend and supporter Kathryn Thompson and Co-Minister Rev Graham Brownlee.

The picture below, meanwhile, was taken at the start of our monthly Communion Service when Graham, fellow Co-Minister Shona Shaw and the whole congregation warmly welcomed seven new members.

To view a larger version of any of our gallery pictures simply click on the image.