Bill Hybels, Andy Stanley & Pete Scazzero

 I'm sitting in Caffe Nero in town reflecting on a hectic but amazing two and a half days with Bill Hybels, Andy Stanley and Pete Scazzero. Far too much went on to write about it all here, but I wanted to reflect on some stuff and then post some photos to give those of you who couldn't make it a feel for what went on.

The last two days reminded me again that our buildings are an amazing blessing, which we must never take for granted. It is because of all the people who sacrificed financially for the building of the Kerith Centre and K2, and the leaders who had the faith and vision to give a lead in building them, that we are able to host events like this. Let's honour those who have left us with such a legacy. 

I was also so aware that we have the most amazing team of volunteers and staff who make it possible to run events like this to an incredibly high standard. There were over 60 volunteers making each day happen - a huge thank you to every one of you.

We also need to recognise that through events like these we are fulfilling our vision statement to contribute to local, national and international life. We had people there from all over the UK, as well as from a number of other nations, hearing life changing stuff. 

The two days were a remarkable contrast and went so well together. On Monday we heard principles and ideas from Bill and Andy which will force us to look out, to expand and to grow the Kingdom. Then on Tuesday Pete turned it around, reminding us that authentic growth can only come out of a place where we are deeply rooted and growing in our relationship with God and with others. I'd encourage people to get copies of Pete's books on "Emotionally Healthy Church", "Emotionally Healthy Spirituality" and his wife Geri's book "I Quit". We'll be reflecting on some of what Pete brought later this year as a church, once I've got round to implementing some of it in my own life!

Finally here are some photos - savour the look of the auditorium with over 700 people in it - the shape of things to come :)

Simon.

 

 

Memory Muscles

I loved this blog from Rick Warren on the importance of memorising the Bible, and developing what he calls our memory muscle. It helps underpin very clearly why our Texts for Life series is so important for us all (thanks to Tim Felgate fir sending me this).

I'm also loving all the thoughts on the Texts for Life blog. I don't have the list of who is going to be doing the blog each day, so I really look forward to getting my email each morning and seeing who has written the blog for the day. There have been some incredible insights in there all ready, and I've learnt lots of things I didn't know about people which is always interesting.

Hoping you're doing well learning this weeks verse, and putting it into practice! Just in case you've forgotten it here it is again :)

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" - Matt 28:19

Simon.

Thanksgivings

 We're having a bit of a change of with thanksgivings for babies and children this year. Rather than just fitting them in on 'random' Sundays we thought it would be good to have designated Sundays in the year where we make it more of a focus for the meeting. This is how we used to do thanksgivings, and of course how we have done baptism for years, so hopefully it will work well.

The first of these Sundays is coming up on the 5th February. Sola will be preaching on the Texts for Life verse Philippians 4:13 ("I can do all this through him who gives me strength"). Catrina and I will be doing the actual thanksgiving. If you're interested please contact Lydia Harris-Lane at the church office (01344 862699). 

We're planning on doing these Sundays three times this year - we'll also be having them on the 20th May and 23rd September - so if you miss the one coming up don't worry, just contact Lydia and ask for one of the other dates. 

Hope that all makes sense!

Simon. 

Peter Scazzero

I've just heard that Peter Scazzero, who is going to be speaking at the Willow Emotionally Healthy Leadership Conference here next Tuesday, is also going to be speaking at our evening meeting this Sunday. Michael Ross-Watson, who was due to be speaking both morning and evening, has graciously stepped aside in the evening so that we can get to hear Peter. 

First of can I encourage all of you to get out to hear Michael in the morning. He's going to be speaking on our next "Texts for Life" verse, 1 Corinthians 9:6, which is a verse which he is so equipped to speak on, and I know that as always he will be outstanding.

And then I'd implore you to get out again in the evening to hear Peter. I'm about half way through his book "Emotionally Healthy Church" which is so speaking into both where I am as an individual and where we are as a church. Especially if you're not going to be able to make the conference I'd encourage you to take this opportunity to hear him. You can read more about Peter here, more about his church here and more about the emotionally healthy movement here.

For those of you who aren't evening regulars just a reminder that doors open at 6, the meeting starts at 7 and the college car park is open.

It's going to be another outstanding weekend!

Simon.

 

Bill Hybels, Andy Stanley and Peter Scazzero

 It's only a few days now until the Willow conferences we're hosting at the Kerith Centre.

There are over 600 booked in to hear Bill Hybels and Andy Stanley on the Monday and close to 400 for Peter Scazzero on the Tuesday. I've just started reading Peter Scazzero's book on "Emotionally Healthy Church", and I'm now almost as excited about the Tuesday as the Monday (don't tell Bill!). 

If you're coming either day please note that there will be NO parking at the Kerith Centre or K2, other than for registered disabled, due to the numbers coming. Park instead in any of the town centre car parks, Charles Square is the closest, or walk or come by train or bike. 

There are still places on the serving teams for the Tuesday, if you'd like to come for free and get in on at least most of the sessions. Contact Sue Ranger at the church office (01344 862699) if you'd be interested in serving. 

Otherwise if you're not coming either day please be praying for the days, both that we as Kerith will be impacted through all that we hear, and that God will speak to the other leaders coming from churches all over the UK.

Very exciting :)

Simon.

Alpha and Prayer

 A reminder of two very important events this week in the life of our community.

Alpha course start on Wednesday at 7.30pm in the Kerith Centre and on Thursday at 10am in K2. If you've never done an Alpha course before please consider coming along as it's a great way to both refresh the core of your faith and to meet new people. And if you've got guests who'd like to come then please invite them and bring them along. It was brilliant on Sunday hearing stories in the the baptisms of people's lives being changed through Alpha, it never ceases to amaze me what God does each time we run this course.

Then on Wednesday and Thursday at 8pm in K2 we've got out monthly prayer meetings. These are always great times to come together, worship in a less structured setting than a Sunday, pray for the life of the church and share communion together, so please come if you possibly can (and you're not on Alpha!). 

Also on Thursday morning at 6am is our weekly prayer meeting, where we focus on praying for money and for people to be saved and added to the church. There are normally between 12 and 20 of us who gather in the Kerith Reception to pray for an hour. Those who know me well will know that I'm not a morning person, but I so value the chance to pray with others and the difference it makes to my life that even I find it worthwhile to drag myself out of bad at that unearthly hour! Let me encourage you to do the same.

Hope you're having a great week, and don't forget to GO!

Simon.

Dates - Julian Adams and Canon Andrew White

 I wanted to give you all advance notice of a couple of forthcoming events.

On Saturday 21st April we're going to be hosting a prophetic conference with Julian Adams. Julian has a widely recognised prophetic gift, and last year he gave me a quite remarkable prophetic word about our future as a church, which I've shared on a number of occasions. We'll be running the conference in partnership with our great friends at Reading Family Church.

Then on the Thursday 26th to Saturday 28th July Canon Andrew White has asked us if we'll host a conference with him highlighting his work in Iraq. Speakers will include the one and only J.John. 

We'll have a load more information on both conferences soon, including booking details, but for now I just wanted to make sure you all had the dates in your diaries.

It's going to be an exciting year!

Simon.