Earlier this month, several members of our church community attended the New Wine United 2017 conference. For those of you who don't know, New Wine is a movement of churches working together to change the nation through a network of church leaders, summer conferences, training events and resources. Each year, a group of us pitch up their tents alongside thousands of other Christians for a week of worship and spiritual development.

Here, they've captured some of their highlights of the week:

I’ve recently arrived in Vancouver, Canada, for a very special part of my sabbatical time, but I wanted to give you a taste of what I’ve been up to over the last few weeks… apart from some really good reading and reflecting!

I’ve walked with very good friends on the Dorset coast which included the amazing Durdle Dor.

Wednesday, 14 June saw around 50 people attend a presentation by our Mission group - the 'Shyogwe Six' - recounting their recent fortnight trip to Shyogwe in Rwanda. The 'Six' consisted of: Peter Muir and his wife, Jill - Trustees; Sarah Parkes and her son, Joseph; and Maria Line and her daughter, Fran - all members of St Michael's.

The evening was opened by Peter, Treasurer of the David Dale Shyogwe Trust, the charity set up to fund initiatives in the area. Peter gave us an interesting insight into the history of Rwanda, particularly since the 1994 Genocide that saw up to 1 million Tutsis and Hutus killed over a 10-week period of slaughter. As a result, the country's population is made up of mostly young people - with those age 15 and under making up 43% of the11.3 millionpopulation. This is important to know because it has impacted the futures of the people who, without elders, have lost basic knowledge and skills such as farming, building and even parenting. So much of what we take for granted is desperately needed by the Rwandan people, yet they are a hopeful community that sings and worships and strives for a better future.

Sunday 11 June 2017 saw the annual Bishop's Cleeve Street Fair here in our wonderful village.

Every year, we invite people to enter teddy bears (or any stuffed toy!) into the Teddy Bear Parachute Jump. Designs are left to the entrants, and we have two prizes: for best jump and best design. At just £1 per entry, we saw the launch of a whopping 74 teddies off the church roof. The money raised goes straight to the Bishop's Cleeve Street Fair to support the funding of next year's event.

We were blessed with a beautifully warm afternoon with a gusty breeze, which seemed to go in most of the jumpers' favours! It took nearly an hour to launch all 74 bears off the roof, each given a fantastic introduction by our compare, Robey. Most bears made it to the ground without mishap, although poor 'Super Penguin' has yet to be retrieved from a tall tree in a garden behind the church!

Thy Kingdom Come is a global prayer movement, which invites Christians around the world to pray between Ascension and Pentecost for more people to come to know Jesus Christ. What started out as an invitation from the Archbishops’ of Canterbury and York in 2016 to the Church of England has grown into an international and ecumenical call to prayer.

The hope is that:

• people will commit to pray with God’s worldwide family - as a church, individually or as a family; 
  
• churches will hold prayer events, such as 24-7 prayer, prayer stations and prayer walks, across the UK and in other parts of the world; 
  
• people will be empowered through prayer by the Holy Spirit, finding new confidence to be witnesses for Jesus Christ.
  

What are we doing at St Michael's?

How can I get involved?

1. Prayer walk near you - There is a sign-up sheet in St Michael's listing all the roads in Bishop's Cleeve and Woodmancote. Simply put your name next to your own road or any that you'd like to pray for. Then, each day, walk along the road and pray for the people living and working there, or you can pray from home if you are unable to get out. Please d ownload the advice and tips sheet on how to get the best out of your walk or view them on the website .
2. Pray for 5 friends or family members to know God .
3. Pray through the Daily Reflections 'Nine Days of Prayer' Booklet.
4. Pray with your Small Group .
5. Pray in your youth group (Wha+ever).
6. Pop in to church and pray (see ChurchWatch for opening times - w/c 29th May is Week 1 rota).
7. Pray at home, individually or as a family.  There are lots of excellent resources for praying as an individual or family  on the Thy Kingdom Come website.

What to pray
You can pray however you wish, but here's an example to help you:

Loving Father,
In the face of Jesus Christ
your light and glory have blazed forth.
Send your Holy Spirit that I may share with my friends [N. & N.]
the life of your Son and your love for all.
Strengthen me as a witness to that love
as I pledge to pray for them,
for your name’s sake. Amen.

Share your prayer #Pledge2Pray
You can use social media to 'Pray It – Picture It – Post It' on the Thy Kingdom Come website prayer wall. If you want to get your images ready in advance, here's a list of the themes. Remember to use images and phrases that resonate with #Pledge2Pray and:

Just use #Pledge2Pray and a hashtag for the prayer of the day. Make sure there is a space between the tags, for example: #Pledge2Pray #ToJesus.

On Facebook, go to the ThyKingdomCome page and post to the Timeline using #Pledge2Pray and the tag of the day, for example #Pledge2Pray #Celebrate. Make sure your post is set to 'public', or we can’t see it!

Visit: www.instagram.com/Pledge2Pray
Visit: www.twitter.com/thykingdom_come
Visit: www.facebook.com/ThyKingdomComeUK

Please email our Prayer Chain if you would like more information, see our page on Praying Together , or visit  thykingdomcom.global

Born Bad by James Boyce
Are we born bad or are does our culture make us the way we are? A great book tracing the history of the doctrine of 'original sin' from its originator St Augustine all through the reformation until such people as Richard Dawkins.

Jesus Freak by Sara Miles
If you really want to be challenged and take stock about how lucky we are to live where we do then read this book. For those involved with Foodbanks this book will inspire you. Those who feel comfortable about their faith, this book will unsettle you.

Listening to God by Joyce Huggett
I was once told that God has given us two ears and one mouth and we should use them in that proportion. Do you find yourself talking and praying to God and not letting him get a word in edgeways? Well, this great book is often considered to be a Christian classic as it was written over thirty years ago, but still is as relevant for us today. It is full of wise and helpful suggestions of how we can spend time listening to God and discovering his will for us. Prayer should be always a two-way conversation.

Dethroning Mammon by Justin Welby
I often tell people at this time of year not to give up something for Lent, but take something on. May I suggest you read this year's Archbishop's of Canterbury Lent Book 'Dethroning Mammon.' It has really helped me in looking how money plays a significant role in our lives and the need to put it in a Christian perspective. Money should be seen as a gift to us to use for the benefit of bestowing grace upon others or as Justin Welby puts it 'Divine Economics' This book will challenge you and I hope will bless you this Lenten time.

Is a Radical Church Possible by Adrian Akler
If you are prepared to be really challenged about your faith read this book. You'll find yourself asking some real deep questions about where you are in your journey with God. You'll often disagree with what is written, but it will make you stop and reassess what you really believe. So if you like being provoked and made uncomfortable read this book. I be interested to know how you got on.

Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell
a great little book which takes a different look at what it means to be faithful to Jesus. it is challenging, thought provoking and will change the way in which are to live.

The Invisible Church by Steve Aisthorpe
A fascinating read, for those dark winter evening, that will make some very uncomfortable and be reassuring to others.

Hidden Christmas by Timothy Keller
For those who believe that 'Christmas is for children' or find that this festive season has lost it's meaning should read this short book.

Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman
This book asks the question are you a follower of Jesus or are you just a fan? Where do you see yourself?

The Insanity of God by Nik Ripkin
I would recommend to anyone who is currently following the preaching series on 1 Peter. It is full of encouragement to those who suffer for their faith. For those who are really going through a difficult time remember these words from a recent J John tweet, 'You can never kill a Christian, only change their address.'

If you have read any good books lately do share them with us in the Comments below.

Richard

Earlier this month, several members of our church community attended the New Wine United 2017 conference. For those of you who don't know, New Wine is a movement of churches working together to change the nation through a network of church leaders, summer conferences, training events and resources. Each year, a group of us pitch up their tents alongside thousands of other Christians for a week of worship and spiritual development.

Here, they've captured some of their highlights of the week:

I’ve recently arrived in Vancouver, Canada, for a very special part of my sabbatical time, but I wanted to give you a taste of what I’ve been up to over the last few weeks… apart from some really good reading and reflecting!

I’ve walked with very good friends on the Dorset coast which included the amazing Durdle Dor.