Presidents go head to head.
The Presidents met with the General Secretary in July as the envisioning group of Council to share ideas and inspiration for the future of the Federation. This group with no set agenda reports to each meeting of the Council with thoughts and reflections for the members of Council to consider.
Council next meets in November 2010
Out and about our churches I have been to many individual churches and groups of churches since becoming president in May. I have shared in Cafe Service at Wimbledon, informal 'chat' at Wandsworth, led worship at Uppermill, Ullesthorpe and Walkden. To date I have led the worship and taken part in three Wake Up Calls at Birmingham, Stepney Latimer and Silver End. The ideas and stories shared at these events have been inspirational.
Included in my visits to churches so far have been, Whit Walks and Brass Band event,a Garden Fete run by Pilots who raised over £300 or the local Hospice and the Ordination of David Isaacs at Salem Chapel, Martin Top.
Other highlights Over 50 people met to chat, share and learn from each other at the Birmingham Wake up Call from as far afield as Leicester and Newark.
Birmingham Ladypool Road have a shop which gives its goods away and is a place where people can come and chat.
Birmingham Hay Mills have established at Disabled Christian Fellowship born out of links made through a funeral with the 'home' next door to the church.
After hearing about this Ministry at the Wake up Call held in Stepney we visited the Basement Door at Richmond Vineyard. This project provides a venue which offers high quality service to the bands who play there and where youngsters can meet in a safe environment.
Stories from Silver End Wake up Call include a prayer box ministry for pubs and other secular venues and a Coffee Bar Ministry.
I have represented the Congregational Federation at the URC Assembly and The Edinburgh 2010 Mission and Evangelism Consultation.
Next week I will be in Hong Kong as CF Trustee on the Global body of CWM. On my return I shall fill in some of the details of my Presidential year to date and hope your appetite has been whetted to hear more.
Sandra