Appointed and Anointed

CONNECTIONS MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2011

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE APPOINTED AND ANOINTED GET TO KNOW THE REGIONAL LEADERS NEWS FROM AROUND THE COUNTY

Refreshments will be served at the end of the meeting.

Our offering today is for the New Yatt Road Development

Buses will be returning to the Seacourt Park & Ride until 1.40pm

CRĂˆCHE Ages 0 - crawling Vale Room

TODDLERS Ages walking - 2 years Cherwell Room

EARLY YEARS Ages 3-4 Ridgeway & Wytham Rooms

INFANTS School years 1-2 Hinksey Room

JUNIORS School years 3-6 West Oxford Primary

YOUTH School years 7-11 With guest worship leader Ben Dean, from the Transform Youth Band From 10:30 in the Cotswold Hall

GROUPS

WELCOME

THIS MORNING

16+ Our speaker today is Mark Mumford Thames Hall

WELCOME TO OUR AREA CELEBRATION

We hope that you enjoy our time together. Above are some useful bits of information about our meeting. If you have any questions, please ask one of the stewards.

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Welcome to this significant Celebration!

Today we will be celebrating the way God has led our group of churches over the last 40 years, and will be marking the beginning of the next stage of our adventure with him.

Over the next few pages you can read • about how God has anointed us in the tasks He has called us to, with Mark Mumford; • see our family’s timeline; • get to know the regional leaders that we are commissioning today; • hear news from around and county; and on the centre pages is a map of the county (and beyond!) so you can see where each of our congregations are.

OXFORDSHIRE COMMUNITY CHURCHES TIMELINE

Over the next couple of pages see a timeline of our family of churches. You can read more about the history of OCC at www.occ.org.uk/who-we-are

03| APPOINTED & ANOINTED

Through our journey God has been faithful to us, and we have certainly felt his hand of blessing.

This next key stage for our family is about growth, and the ability to further influence our county.

Today we are commissioning three new regions out of the wider area, and three new regional leaders: Gary and Jackie Pizzey, Steve and Beverley Jones, and Neil and Denise Townsend.

MARK MUMFORD APPOINTED & ANOINTED Our Speaker today is Mark Mumford. He is the team leader of the UK Apostolic Team and the senior leader of East Midlands Christian Fellowship.

Mark is well known in the UK Salt & Light family and speaks passionately, envisioning individuals and churches to engage with the mission set before them. It is a priviledge to have him with us today.

“It is incredibly reassuring and releasing to know that what God ‘appoints’, he also anoints.

If we are left to our own human efforts, we will never get near the hopes and dreams that God has put in our hearts.

Anointing is a biblical idea of “divine favour, enabling and empowering for a task or role”. We read in the Old Testament of key people being anointed by God, in order to fulfil their calling. The great news is that the New Testament is about an anointing on every one – all flesh!

Whatever God has called us to… he has enabled us to do it.

Recently I was praying for the healing of a man’s hand and became very conscious of that obvious truth: I had no ability whatsoever to heal anyone! I looked at his hand and the damage done meant he couldn’t bend his thumb or index finger. However, I was reminded that Jesus empowered his disciples for this very task… to heal and bring freedom from ailments. The man began to move his finger and thumb, was thrilled with God and rejoiced loudly! It was God’s empowering, His enabling, His healing and His glory!

OXFORDSHIRE COMMUNITY CHURCHES TIMELINE

1712

The first Cote Baptist Chapel was built.

However a meeting of Anabaptists is recorded at Longworth in 1481

1971

The Church at Merryfield House is formed in Witney. There was a significant outpouring of the Holy Spirit

1978

Between 1978 and 1982 Cote & Merryfield House felt God call them to work together to influence the whole county for Jesus

1980

Kidlington Covenant Community began.

Geoff and Mary Norridge began to lead this group from 1981

As we move more and more towards being a ‘mission-focussed’ people, we want to be reminded of that fundamental truth: That God has promised to go with us wherever we go. His presence (anointing) is not just helpful to us, it is absolutely imperative.

05| APPOINTED & ANOINTED - MARK MUMFORD

This is especially relevant when we are in times of transition, God appears to emphasise that he will be with us. (For example, Joshua about to go into the land, Jesus about to ascend into heaven.) As Oxfordshire Community Churches moves into a new era of more localised regions, it is a fantastic opportunity for fresh creativity, growth and development. God is calling many people higher in their roles and tasks. The great news is ... he has anointed us for the task!!”

Mark Mumford

1981

Wantage and Chipping Norton Churches are planted

1984

The King’s School, starts at Merryfield House. The purpose built school was completed in 1988 & the new primary school in 2010

1985

“Out of a village a city will come.” Oxford was planted with the group from Kiddlington and some from Cote and Witney.

1992

During 1992 Abingdon & Bicester were planted and a greater spreading of influence across the county began

GET TO KNOW THE REGIONAL LEADERS

We thought it would be good to get to know the regional leaders a bit better and so have asked them 7 questions that you might never have thought to ask!

GARY & JACKIE PIZZEY FAVOURITE VERSE

(G): Ephesians 3:20-21 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever & ever! Amen!

(J): John 13:34b As I have loved you, so you must love one another FAVOURITE COLOUR

(G): Blue (J): Blue

LEAST LIKED FOOD

(G): Any type of shell fish (J): Fish FAVOURITE SPORT/HOBBY

(G): Rugby (J): Reading FIRST JOB:

(G): Delivering furniture (J): Baby sitting FAVOURITE FILM/TV/BOOK

(G): (FILM) Ice Age – just makes me laugh all the way through. (J): Steel Magnolias VISION FOR THE REGION

In July we launched our vision at the Regional Celebration: Transforming Communities Together: • Equipping Leaders • Releasing Resources • Planting Churches

OXFORDSHIRE COMMUNITY CHURCHES TIMELINE

1997

1998

2003

2006

Merryfield House became Witney Community Church. West Witney planted to bring more mission to the town

The King’s Church in Didcot begins

The Leys Church is planted

Carterton and Swindon Churches are planted

NEIL & D TOWNSEND

FAVOURITE VERSE

FAVOURITE VERSE

(S): Zechariah 2:13 Be still before the LORD, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling (B): Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding FAVOURITE COLOUR

(S): The Colour of Magic (by Terry Pratchett) (B): As an artist, I’m afraid that’s much too complex a question!

(N): Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (D): Hebrews 11:1 Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see FAVOURITE COLOUR

(N): Blue (D): Blue

LEAST LIKED FOOD

LEAST LIKED FOOD

FAVOURITE SPORT/HOBBY

FAVOURITE SPORT/HOBBY

(S): Pickled small lemons (B): Coconut (S): Swimming: I’m trying to learn to tumble turn at the moment (B): Pilates FIRST JOB:

(S): Clearing out the spare parts store of a fire engine factory (B): Newspaper round FAVOURITE FILM/TV/BOOK

(N): Banana - big time!!! (D): Jerusalem artichoke (N): Rowing, along with a lifelong following of Arsenal, which has been a good exercise in humility. (D): horse riding / reading FIRST JOB:

(N): Sales assistant in a electronic parts shop in central Brussels (D): Paper round

(S): (FILM) O Brother Where Art Thou (B): I like films, but I don’t like watching anything more than once and then I promptly forget the titles…

FAVOURITE FILM/TV/BOOK

VISION FOR THE REGION

VISION FOR THE REGION

Together to resource disciples, missional communities and churches each to develop towards greater spiritual maturity, in which we all enjoy the Father’s unfathomable love, look ever more like Jesus and live in the limitless power of the Holy Spirit.

(N): (TV) Total Wipeout. Yes, I am that shallow.

(D): (FILM) Mama Mia Heaven on earth

2008

2009

2011

Banbury and Thame

Lifehouse Community Church, Kidlington, Moreton Community Church, Wychwoods

Today - we commission the 3 regions to continue the work of influencing the county and beyond for Jesus

07| APPOINTED & ANOINTED - GET TO KNOW THE REGIONAL LEADERS

STEVE & BEV JONES

GET TO KNOW THE REGIONS

BANBUR BARRIE &

MORETON-IN-MARSH DAN & KERSTIN CAMPSALL CHIPPING NORTON PAUL & LOTTIE MEATHREL

WESTERN REGION GARY & JACKIE PIZZEY

WYCHWOODS TONY & CHARLOTTE OSBORN NORTH WITNEY GARY & JACKIE PIZZEY

WEST WITNEY JASON & JEN HUFFADINE CARTERTON MATT & ANNA BIDDLECOMBE

COTE

WANTAGE NEIL & D TOWNSEND

SOUTH REGION

NEIL & D TOWNSEND

RY & MARY WOOD

D

CENTRAL REGION STEVE & BEV JONES

KIDLINGTON MARK & KATHERINE ELEY OXFORD STEVE & BEV JONES THAME ANDY & RUTH O’CONNELL THE LEYS CHIPPER & ANNA BETTS

ABINGDON ED & KATE EVANS DIDCOT ROBIN & LISA HOWARD HENLEY ROGER & DI COLE

READ MORE ABOUT THE CHURCHES ON OUR WEBSITE www.occ.org.uk

07| APPOINTED & ANOINTED - THREE REGIONS

BICESTER STEVE & TAMMI BEEGOO

NEWS FROM AROUND THE COUNTY

One of the ways it seems God is calling us to influence the county is through buildings. Over the years the Cote Fellowship Centre, Aston, The King’s Centre, Oxford, The New Yatt Road site, Witney & The Kabin, Bicester have truly blessed the county.

The next 4 pages show exciting projects seeking to extend this method of influence.

BURWELL HALL COMMUNITY CENTRE, WEST WITNEY A LESSON IN PATIENT ENDURANCE!

Last Sunday marked the 2 year anniversary of commencing talks with Witney Town Council about the possibility of taking over the running of Burwell Hall! As connections goes to print we are still waiting for the lease so that we can get on with running the hall and making the alterations and improvements it needs. Sometimes along the journey we have asked ourselves “why are we doing this?” and wondered if this really is the right move ... each time we come back to the prophetic words that God has spoken over us and so we keep on keeping on! In Revelation 1:9 John speaks of being our companion in suffering and patient endurance. In between these two experiences he also speaks of sharing in the Kingdom of God. It’s an interesting sandwich of truth to which Jesus calls us.

This autumn we have started meeting in the hall and hiring it from the council. It is so good to be there and although there is quite a lot of work to be done, and it’s not ours yet - it does feel like home. We are meeting at the hall for our 2 Sunday meetings. Little treasures our toddler group now meet in the Hall every Monday morning and we are attracting new families from the estates. In January we will also be hosting a regular lunch club which is a development of the Jubilees over 50’s group.

So we keep on pressing forward to take ground for the Kingdom - and to be a blessing to those in our community.

DEAN COURT COMMUNITY CENTRE, OXFORD A JOURNEY CONTINUES

Hearing the rumble of bricks falling and mortar crumbling is hardly a cause for celebration on most days. But for the Community Centre in Dean Court, on September 26th, it was the sound of progress.

Volunteer work is always slow going and we have no idea what we’re doing most of the time, but the ever-knowledgeable and professional Stuart Larkin is kindly helping us steer a course through the maze of meetings, paperwork and planning control to turn our vision into a reality. Money and manpower remain our two biggest challenges, but bigger still is a God who we know is faithful to provide for our every need. Even in the last month we have seen a couple of people come forwards to offer whatever help they can… feel free to be inspired!

So, we are still on track. As we know, destruction, demolition, and death do not mark the end in God’s Kingdom, but rather they signal the onset of a new life to come. The building work will hopefully start in the spring (assuming we have agreed what we will build by then!). We are looking forwards to new life for Dean Court, new life for a building at the heart of a community, and most of all, new life for our friends.

11| NEWS FROM AROUND THE COUNTY

Following a devastating fire that devoured half the building in February this year, the Community Centre Management Team, comprising predominantly Oxford Community Church members with some other like-minded locals, has been working hard to convince the Council to build a better building with the insurance money and lease it to us to use as a Community Centre. We have been blessed with some good relationships with the Council and they are happily willing to work with us to create a beautiful building that will serve the whole Dean Court Community and beyond in the future.

d:two, HENLEY NOW OPEN!

At d:two, Henley, we are at the end of a two-year building project and on the 5th and 6th November we celebrated the official opening of the newly expanded and renovated facilities. The Centre is home to Henley Baptist Church, Nomad Detached Youth and Community Project, and the Rainbow Children’s Centre. We also host a number of external users from the local community, including Health Visitors, Midwives, Teddies Music Group as well as a Dad’s Group, parenting training groups and more. The Centre is now better equipped to serve the church and these users with a new café, purpose-built kitchen, meeting room holding over 250 and many other improvements. We are very grateful to God for making this possible through the sacrificial attitudes of many church members and generous grants from Oxfordshire County Council and South Oxfordshire District Council.

We’re convinced that as we open up the doors again we will see many touched by the love and good news of Jesus as it is walked and talked out by café workers, children’s centre workers, youth and communities workers and others in the church. It is a really exciting new chapter for us and we were delighted to have so many friends, users of the centre and dignitaries with us for the opening events. Sadly the Rev Frank Payne (former minister of Henley Baptist Church) was unable to be with us due to illness but we were able to hear from him, Peter Finter (former lead elder) and Steve Thomas via video messages. Mark Mumford made an address on the Saturday and on Sunday we were joined by Jeremy and Jo Bray (former employees of the church here and good friends to many in our family of churches). Both afternoons were stirring as we looked back at what God has done and ahead to the future plans He has for us. We are truly able to join with Samuel and declare, “Thus far has the Lord helped us” (1 Sam 7:12) and we believe that the future will be even better!

Back in the 80’s, Cedric Hobbs used the Forum youth centre in Kidlington to run a group for young people. Fast forward thirty years or so and Lifehouse Community Church has just started a Friday night Youth Programme for young people in Kidlington with little else to do. One of the biggest villages in Europe, Kidlington has a few thousand young people; however recent spending cuts by the council have affected provision of programmes aimed at the youth.

In the Spring this year Mark Eley was invited to a stakeholders meeting to discuss this lack and in the absence of alternative provision offered to run two Friday youth clubs staffed by volunteers. The County and Parish councils agreed and six months later the recently refurbished and purpose-built youth Forum re-opened its doors on a Friday night.

‘It’s great to be meeting a real need in the community,’ commented volunteer Mike Horswell, ‘And there’s an opportunity to get to know both the young people and their families.’

‘We’ve had a sense of God opening doors through the whole process,’ writes Mark, ‘There’s been a really positive response from counsellors, local schools and the police. We feel that these are the first steps in serving the community and that God is with us.’

With good relationships established Lifehouse has been able to start hiring the Forum for Sunday meetings – a huge improvement on our previous location.

In the last month there have been some setbacks; at the end of October we were informed we missed out on a grant from the Big Society Fund on a technicality and have felt opposition of various kinds. Please pray that Lifehouse can bring life to the youth of Kidlington as Cedric did all those years ago.

13| NEWS FROM AROUND THE COUNTY

KIDLINGTON BACK TO THE FUTURE

0930-1630 3RD DECEMBER THE KING’S CENTRE, OXFORD GUEST SPEAKER: MALCOLM DUNCAN THEOLOGY OF TRANSFORMATION THE STATE OF PLAY SUPPORTING AND STAYING CONNECTED WITH YOUR SOCIAL ACTIVISTS IDENTIFYING THE NEED, BUILDING A TEAM & STARTING A CHARITY FUND RAISING AND SUSTAINABILITY: BRINGING IN THE GRANTS AND BUILDING FOR LONG-TERM IMPACT BUILDING CAPACITY AND STRATEGIC PLANNING: KEEPING GROWING AND PLANNING FOR A SUCCESSFUL FUTURE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ENGAGING WITH THE POLITICIANS AND CHOOSING THE RIGHT PARTNERS SOCIAL MEDIA: FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND USING THEM RIGHT CAMPAIGNING TAKING YOUR PLACE IN YOUR WORKPLACE, NEIGHBOURHOOD AND COMMUNITY

BOOK YOUR PLACE AT WWW.SALTLIGHT.ORG/EUROPE

During lunch at the conference there will be an opportunity to meet with CAPs National Development Manager and others from OCC who are keen to start a CAP Centre here in Oxfordshire. If you are interested sign up for the conference. To find out more about CAP visit our stand in the cafe area today or call Lizi Bowerman from Kings Church Didcot on 07865 499113 or email lizibowerman@capuk.org

22 January 3 CELEBRATIONS

As in previous years, as well as many craft and gift stalls, there will also be a secret present room, tombola and a second hand book stall and we would love to receive donations of the following: Boxes/tins of chocolates, biscuits and sweets | Bottles of wine and soft drinks | NEW gift items for men and women such as toiletries, stationary, home decor and fashion and clothing accessories | Good quality second hand books for all ages.

The fayre has always been very successful not only in terms of fund raising but in getting the school and the church known to the local area so any help or donations will be really appreciated. For more details please speak Lesley West in the school office on 01993 778463 or see the website www.tkswitney.org.uk

THE KING’S SCHOOL, WITNEY 11-2pm SATURDAY 26 NOVEMBER

MONSTER TURKEY

PLEASE NOTE: TICKETS FOR ALL UNDER-18S MUST BE SIGNED BY A PARENT OR GUARDIAN - THIS INCLUDES TICKETS SOLD ON THE DOOR. SO PLEASE MAKE SURE UNDER-18S WITHOUT A TICKET ARE ACCOMPANIED TO THE EVENT DOORS.

WEST: CENTRE: SOUTH:

1030-1230 SUNDAY 22 JANUARY THE KING’S SCHOOL, WITNEY 1030-1230 SUNDAY 22 JANUARY THE KING’S CENTRE, OXFORD 1030-1230 SUNDAY 22 JANUARY ST BIRINUS’ SCHOOL, DIDCOT

15| EVENTS

SAT 17 DECEMBER 7.30PM, THE KING’S CENTRE COSTUME COMPETITION 1ST PRIZE: £20 MUSIC VOUCHER EVENING TICKET (Y7-Y9) 7.30PM - 11PM £6 (£8 ON THE DOOR) ALL NIGHT TICKET (Y10+) 7.30PM - 8AM £14 (£16 ON THE DOOR)

THE KING’S CENTRE Osney Mead, Oxford, OX2 0ES 01865 297400 office@occ.org.uk

ABINGDON COMMUNITY CHURCH Ed & Kate Evans 01235 521622 ede@occ.org.uk THE KING’S CHURCH, DIDCOT Robin & Lisa Howard 01235 848422 robinh@occ.org.uk HENLEY BAPTIST CHURCH Roger & Di Cole 01491 576883 rogerc@dtwo.co.uk WANTAGE COMMUNITY CHURCH Neil & Denise Townsend 01235 771152 neilt@occ.org.uk SOUTH REGION ADMINISTRATOR Nigel Watt 01367 718 498 nigelw@occ.org.uk

SOUTH REGION TEAM LEADER NEIL TOWNSEND CARTERTON COMMUNITY CHURCH Matt & Anna Biddlecombe 01993 846510 mattb@occ.org.uk CHIPPING NORTON COMMUNITY CHURCH Paul & Lottie Meathrel 01608 646127 paulm@occ.org.uk COTE BAPTIST CHURCH

STEPPING STONES FOUNDATION UNIT New Yatt Road, Witney, OX29 6TA www.occ.org.uk/steppingstones

COMMUNITY CHURCH, MORTON-IN-MARSH Dan & Kerstin Campsall 01608 812445 danc@occ.org.uk NORTH WITNEY COMMUNITY CHURCH Gary & Jackie Pizzey 01993 702615 garyp@occ.org.uk WEST WITNEY COMMUNITY CHURCH Jason & Jennifer Huffadine 01993 702979 jasonh@occ.org.uk WYCHWOOD HOUSE CHURCHES Tony & Charlotte Osborn 01993 878169 tony_osborn99@yahoo.co.uk WEST REGION ADMINISTRATOR Matt Biddlecombe 01865 297400 mattb@occ.org.uk

WEST REGION TEAM LEADER GARY PIZZEY

THE KING’S PRESCHOOL, BICESTER www.occ.org.uk/bicester

GEOFF & MARY NORRIDGE 01993 772375 GeoffN@occ.org.uk

CEDRIC & AUDREY HOBBS 01993 700295 CedricH@occ.org.uk

DAVID & ROSIE FREEMAN 01865 751474 DavidF@occ.org.uk

BRYN & DOROTHY FRANKLIN BrynF@occ.org.uk

ROGER & DI COLE 01491 576883 rogerc@dtwo.co.uk

MIKE & LIZ BEAUMONT 01865 864253 MikeB@occ.org.uk

STEVE & LORRAINE THOMAS 01993 850990 SteveT@occ.org.uk

APOSTOLIC MINISTRY TEAM TEAM LEADER STEVE THOMAS

Oxfordshire Community Churches | A Family On Mission Together | Registered Charity 1056921

THE KING’S SCHOOL, WITNEY New Yatt Road, Witney, OX29 6TA 01993 778463 www.occ.org.uk/tks

COMMUNITY CHURCH, THAME Andy & Ruth O’Connell 01844 215331 andyo@occ.org.uk CENTRE REGION ADMINISTRATOR Andrew Clark 01865 297420 andrewc@occ.org.uk

Oxford Church Office 01865 297420 oxford@occ.org.uk

PATHWAYS CHURCH, BANBURY Barrie & Mary Wood 01295 279268 barriew@occ.org.uk BICESTER COMMUNITY CHURCH Steve & Tammi Beegoo 01869 240651 steveb@occ.org.uk THE LEYS COMMUNITY CHURCH Chipper & Anna Betts 07985 982804 chipperb@occ.org.uk LIFEHOUSE COMMUNITY CHURCH, KIDLINGTON Mark & Katherine Eley 01865848659 markeley84@gmail.com OXFORD COMMUNITY CHURCH Stephen & Beverley Jones 01865 402141 stephenj@occ.org.uk

CENTRE REGION TEAM LEADER STEVE JONES

16| OCC CONTACTS www.occ.org.uk