May Assembly
Are the annual assemblies of the Congregational Federation getting better year by year? To judge by the attendance, and the spirit of joyful fellowship at the one held in May at Leicester, they certainly are.
Some 400 people - perhaps more - thronged the Samworth Enterprise Academy, and enjoyed some of the most positive reports and hopes we have ever heard.
David Gent, Council chairman, welcomed everybody, and we were straight into the heart of our mission-fired purpose. The team which had visited the Dominican Republic to encourage Christian Aid in its One Respe project, repeated their moving testimony to the continuing needs of some of the poorest people on earth. The Federation has pledged £30,000 towards the work, and is a lot short of the target. Don't give up, urged Christian Aid representative Geoff Daintry.
The 'Child Friendly Church' vision was described by Yvonne Maudsley, of Wavertree Liverpool. Every church can apply to be recognised in a scheme to ensure that children are not only safe, but welcomed. Ruth Broomhall (Bunyan Bedford) and Mark Evans (Belvedere and Erith) testified to the positive benefits the scheme was producing in their churches.
Incoming President Sandra Turner introduced leaders of four churches where 'regeneration' was taking place as a result of efforts by 'the few and the 72' - a reference to the follower of Jesus sent out to proclaim God's Kingdom.
Alan Brazier (far left) described progress with the Killamarsh Project in Yorkshire, with services on Saturday mornings, good food, and great hopes for the better use of old property.
Ken Haigh (left), of Mexborough, South Yorkshire, described a church where the building was in poor condition, and had been frequently broken into. In a community of 15000 people only 300 attended any church. Improvements had made the property secure and attractive, and now up to 90 people turned up each Saturday morning for coffee and a chance to talk.
Many baptisms had taken place 'and people are coming back, not going away'.
Jim Simpson of Hay Mills, Birmingham, described work the church was doing among disabled people, who were welcomed to services and made to feel at home among Christian friends.
Lesley Dryell, (Narborough, Leicestershire) spoke of achievements on Back to Church Sunday. They had gone out knocking on doors and in many cases had been invited in.
The new resource produced by Graham Adams to encourage churches to 'Grow Disciples' was introduced by Graham.
There was a warm welcome for visitors from other churches, and Rev Guto Prys ap Gwynfor, President of the Union of Welsh Independents, spoke for the visitors, saying that we shared many things in common. 'Over the centuries we have been emphasising how different we are, but now we are discovering our similarities.'
The 30 years story of Federation training was told by Dr Janet Wootton, Federation Director of Studies. Some 200 ministers had passed through the integrated training course in that time, she said. The course was Bible-based, rooted in the local church and focused on mission. There had been high praise for the course from John Cambell, Principal of Northern College. Training Board chairman Dr Alan Argent cut a celebration cake marking the anniversary. Dr Richard Cleaves referred to the way the course had changed - even completely re-written over the years to meet new ministry needs.
Finance chairman Adam Woricker introduced the Federation budget, saying only eight percent of the cost of the organisation was being met from affiliation fees. He repeated that no church should feel obliged to pay if they were in financial difficulties. The subscription for personal members was agreed at £27.
The assembly was graced by the presence of 40 young people. A questioner was told that talks had been taking place to unify the work of two youth groups in the Federation, CFY and Go. A report was due in the autumn about ways in which young people's work could be coordinated.
It was announced that the vote for President in 2011-2012 had given the role to Brian Grist (right), Area Minister for the North West, and formerly of Carlisle City Church.
Members were also introduced to the new chairman of the Federation Council, Martin Spain, of Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire.
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An emotional farewell was offered to Bob Franklyn, returning to his home country, New Zealand with his wife Sue after being the Federation Mission Support Worker for six years.
He was thanked for his inspirational and tireless work for the Federation, and as pastor of the church at Newark.
The need for toilets in the African nation Burundi was the planned theme of a presentation at the May assembly by the young people's organisation Gofrit. It had been reported that when western charities had provided toilets in Africa, they had been demolished and materials used for 'other community purposes'.
The Assembly was introduced to Liz Simpson the first person to obtain a place on the Federation's leader training programme for young adults. Part of 'Growing Disciples', this offers a year's study and personal development, grounded in service in a local church.
Liz will be a missioner at Ladypool Road Church, Birmingham, and studying child theology. She is 'passionate about helping to bring restoration to broken people and communities by showing God's love and hope'.
In August she will attend a course in New Delhi on combating human trafficking.