The Assembly received and approved the Council’s report which included the report of the Chair of Council David Gent
So another year passes by and once again the Congregational Federation has been seeking to support and encourage our member churches. The staff in the offices in Nottingham, the people who serve on boards and our committees have given their time and their efforts to ensure that the best possible support has been given.
We are sometimes reminded of our responsibilities and helped in fulfilling them as with the Keep Safe initiative. It’s an area where we lead the field. We are offered opportunities that might not otherwise come up as in the example of the people who went to the Zambia and those who are going to the Dominican Republic soon. We are encouraged to make a practical contribution to Christian Aid through the Oné Respé Project – and I gather that almost the whole target of £10,000 has been reached this year. There is training and as you will hear elsewhere the training board celebrates its 30th anniversary this year..........
I can’t tell you how encouraging it is to hear people across the Federation talking about evangelism and mission. Christ reached out to offer us salvation and life in Him and His church must reach out to others. The Federation is seeking to encourage all kinds of growth in our member churches and you have much to contribute to that too.......
Now we look forward to the year to come and welcome a new church that is becoming a member of our Congregational Federation today:
St James Lockleaze Bristol (South West Midlands Area)
God bless them and use them, and all who have contributed so much as usual this year and God bless you all.