Elmfield Activities Sundays: Morning Worship Services are held every week from 10.30 am - 12.00 noon. During the service, frequently enhanced by video clips relevant to the theme of the day, we normally celebrate Communion. Any children present leave the service after about 25 minutes for their separate activities in God’z Zone. Evening services at 6.30pm involve a series of talks under the heading ‘Sacred Space’, with a programme published in advance. On the 1st Sunday the Youth group are responsible for the service arrangements. On the 2nd Sunday of the month we celebrate Communion during this service. We do not meet on a 5th Sunday of a month. Refreshments are served from 6.00 pm. Everyone is welcome to attend any of these services.
Mondays: 8.00am: Prayer Meeting. 9.30am: English as a Second Language Course for Basic learners. Call Gerry on 01895635337 for details. The course is provided free of charge. 6.00 - 7.30pm: ‘Kidz In the Zone’ activities for Primary School children .
Tuesdays: 9.30am: English as a Second Language Course for Intermediate learners. Call Gerry on 01895635337 for details. The course is provided free of charge. 10.00am: Mother & Baby Club. An opportunity for Mothers with small babies to chat and share experiences in a friendly atmosphere. No pre-booking needed, just call in. 7.30 - 9.00pm: ‘Reloaded’ activities for High School students up to Year 11.
Wednesdays: 10.00am Mother & Toddler Club. To book a place call the Church Office 020 8866 0813. 2.00pm Extend - A gentle exercise class for people over 60. Cost per session £3.00. Contact Jean 020 8866 6344 for more details 8.00pm: Alcoholics Anonymous (Harrow branch) hold their meeting at Elmfield.
Thursdays: 2nd of the month 12.30pm Senior Citizens’ Lunch. Call the Church Office for a place. 4th of the month: Meeting Point where soup and sandwiches are served with tea or coffee and cake before the background to a favourite hymn is explored. No booking needed - just drop in. House Groups meetings for Bible study, prayer and fellowship are held at various times each week. For more information about any of the church activities please call the Church Office: 020 8866 0813, e-mail elmfieldchurch26@gmail.com or visit the Church website: www.Elmfield.org Elmfield Church has a fully operational Child Protection Policy, accredited by the Churches Child Protection Advisory Service.
Issue 39: Winter 2014
www.elmfield.org
Down Your Street Vision We are a community of people growing in Christ, loving and serving each other and sharing God’s love with others. Mission Seeking to serve the North Harrow community with the love of God. Practice An evangelical church. Elmfield Church 89 Imperial Drive, North Harrow HA2 7DX every Sunday at 10.30 am Come and join us in worshipping God together. A crèche is available and a full children’s programme. For more details ring the church office on 020 8866 0813 or Email: elmfieldchurch26@ gmail.com Registered Charity no. 248351
Local Community Update
Our New Pastor We are pleased to welcome Nick Addington to Elmfield Church as our new Pastor. He joins us with his wife Jane and 3 children. Nick grew up in Northampton and after school trained as a Cardiac Technician at Bart’s Hospital in London. After training Nick worked at the London Chest Hospital in Bethnal Green for ten years before leaving to work in India at the Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, as Chief Cardiac Technician. After 2 years he returned to the UK to study for a Dip HE in Biblical and Cross-Cultural Studies at All Nations Christian College, Ware before returning to Ludhiana, where he met and married Jane. In 1998 the family returned to the UK and Nick studied an MA in Aspects of Biblical Interpretation at London Bible College (now London School of Theology). They returned to India to help establish Chandigarh Bible College (now called the North India Institute of Theological Studies), Nick becoming Principal in 2004 and Dean in 2007. In 2009 he and his family relocated to the UK where he became Pastor of Church in the Field, Kedington, Haverhill, Suffolk.
Christmas Fun for All Sunday 21st December 4.00 - 6.00 pm with crafts, games, food, carols. All Welcome. Christmas Day Celebration 10.30 - 11.15 am Do come and join us .
Dear Friends, The new version of the Band Aid single rings out “How can they know that it’s Christmas time at all?” What is Christmas for you? Perhaps it is a Christmas tree and decorations, or a chance for the family to get together, or the classic Christmas hits, or good food and drink, or an opportunity to party. The Band Aid single suggests that it is by giving that people of Africa will know about Christmas and where would Christmas be without Santa Claus, supposedly the source of all Christmas gifts. Christmas is about giving but not a new pair of socks or that bottle of Brut or even a new i-Pad. Christmas is about the indescribable gift, a day 2,000 years ago when the God, who created everything, sent His son, Jesus Christ, into the world as a baby in order to die on a cross so that our sins might be forgiven and our lives saved. May you know the indescribable gift, the Lord Jesus Christ, who brings joy and peace to all who believe in Him. We do hope that you will be able to celebrate Jesus’ birth this Christmas with us at Elmfield Church. Nick Addington, Pastor, Elmfield Church.
Was it a ‘GOOD NIGHT OUT?’ Definitely!
FIREWORKS
‘He was so clever!’ ‘I didn’t feel him take my watch off!’ ‘How did he get that £20.00 note into the balloon?’ ‘I was a bit worried when he turned that huge glass of water upside down!’ Nearly 200 people came to see and hear Steve Price on Friday evening 24th October. His unique approach to magic, humour and illusions kept the audience’s open eyed attention throughout the event as well as having them rocking with laughter. Those whom he chose to invite onto the stage to ’help’ him with his tricks were all astounded by his deft movements and were baffled by his magic. During the interval there were hot and cold drinks, Danish pastries and ice cream available for refreshment but no one lingered, as they were all keen to return for the second part of Steve’s performance.
Despite the rainy weather on Saturday 9th November over 180 adults and children gathered at Longfield School for the Elmfield Fireworks display. There was an eager queue for the hot dogs. Various games and a quiz were available to entertain the children before the display. Then, outside in the rain the show started and the ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ of the spectators indicated how much they were enjoying the pyrotechnics. Some said it was the best they had seen. Every family that attended went away with a ‘Goody Bag’ of reminders of the activities available at Elmfield Church as well as sweets, a craft item and booklets.
Not only did he captivate the minds of all who were there with his skilful conjuring but he also challenged them to think about their relationship with God, assuring them that although all his performance was illusions, God is real and because He loves us He wants a personal relationship with each one of us.
CHRISTIANS AGAINST POVERTY COURSE Aware that there are still many people finding difficulty managing their finances, another CAP course has been arranged for anyone needing help in managing debt or seeking guidance in living with a restricted budget. To book a place on this free course running on Wednesday evenings 4th, 11th & 18th February at 7.30pm and for more information call Elmfield Church office 020 8866 0813 or e-mail : elmfieldchurch26@gmail.com
FIRMFOUNDATION ‘Without the shelter I wouldn’t know what to do or where to go.’ In 2011 a Winter Night Shelter for homeless men in Harrow was opened at the Welldon Centre. It is a 10 bedded dormitory style, 12 week shelter, serving an evening meal and providing a breakfast for males. Men who use the shelter, ‘guests’, have to go through a referral process by Harrow Council or other agencies that FirmFoundation work with. Over the past 4 years FirmFoundation has had a total of over 100 guests stay overnight. In 2014 49 referrals were received and 30 offered bed spaces. All the guests were rough sleeping in Harrow. Hot shower and toiletries were provided. Funding, (there is no statutory funding) provides for a night shelter co-ordinator, a part-time support worker and waking night staff. Roughly 65% of income comes from grants from trusts, 33% from churches and 2% from individuals. In 2014 volunteers contributed 2004 hours of help providing sumptuous evening meals at the Welldon Centre and breakfasts at Trinity Church, Hindes Road each morning. In 2014, 974 meals were served to guests and enquirers who had not gained a bed space. The shelter will be open from 5th January to the 31st March 2015. At Elmfield, instead of the usual 100+ shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child we have sent in the past few years to Samaritan’s Purse, we are aiming to fill 30 bags with shaving cream, a razor, shower gel, deodorant, socks, underwear, comb, toothpaste, toothbrush and nail clippers. If you would like to contribute, you can drop any items at the church office between 9.00am and 1.00pm any weekday by the end of December. FirmFoundation is aware that many people want to support the work among those locally who are homeless and disadvantaged. For more information and to contribute or volunteer call 02084265515 or use the website www.firmfoundation.org.uk