Disciple

The Newsletter of

MCC Manchester

Sunday 2nd March 2008

Welcome to this newsletter and to the ministry of MCC Manchester.  If this is your first contact with us, know that you are welcome.  You can take part in our ministry through attending our worship services or mid week meetings, or by using the various resources on our website.  You can keep in touch with us in person, by email, or by text.  It is our prayer that our people grow as committed disciples of the Lord Jesus. 

Today's Service  marks the fourth Sunday of Lent.  We reflected on the relationship between Jesus and Judas â€â€œ a close relationship which went tragically song.  The old Joy Division song â€Å“Love will tear us apartâ€Â sets the scene for our thinking on this theme today. 

This and That  Nine people came yesterday to refresh and learn the songs that we will be singing over Holy Week and Easter tide; and they had fun too!  Nine people also came to the workshop on the Bible, Sexuality and Gender which we held on Tuesday evening.  We will run this again in the Summer. 

The Board of Directors went away last weekend to review the goals we had set for 2007 and set new goals for the coming year.  We also looked at various dynamics that happen as churches grow and change from one size to another.  We have set goals which will help us as we continue to grow and to lay solid foundations for our future.  We hope that we will end the year with a regular Sunday attendance of around 60 people seeing around 120 people a month.  Please pray for us as we continue to grow and welcome new people into our life that all of us may grow in faith, love and hope. 

Membership Class.  On Saturday (11-4) we have a day looking at Membership of MCC Manchester, the responsibilities of membership are explained as is the philosophy of ministry in this congregation.  Please let Andy know if you wish to attend.  We hope to enrol new members on Easter Sunday. 

Thanks.  Thank you for your generosity over the last two weeks. 28 people attended on the 17^th and 40 attended last week.  We saw 68 people at least once in February.   The collections were £114.50 and £314.50 thank you very much.  This is on top of the £1200 or so a month that is given directly to our bank account via standing order.

Immigration Aid Unit.  During Lent we are using Smartie Tubes to collect money for the Immigration Aid Unit.  We will look at various case studies to see the type of work they do, and which we will support.  Maria and her family consist of 9 siblings, a mother and 3 younger children from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.   They applied for asylum in 2002 and the claim was rejected - they attended the Unit after an 11 year old sibling was diagnosed as HIV positive.  This big family lived in a 3 storey NASS property which was in a very bad condition.  The Unit made representations to the Home Office based on the health of the 11 year old.  As Barnardos had successfully asked the Home Office to give leave to remain to many families with HIV positive children, the Unit asked for leave too for this family - this has now been granted - all of them have indefinite leave now !!

Introduction to Sexuality Studies.  This MCC sponsored course will be taught in Manchester from Sunday 9^th â€â€œ Thursday 13^th of November this year by Andy and the Rev Jane Clarke.  It will cover many aspects of human sexuality and how we unit aspects of our sexuality with our spirituality.  The course will be held at the police college in Sedgley Park and will cost £100 for day students and £235 for residential students.  More details are on our website â€â€œ go to the yellow bar on the right and then go to the sexuality page.  You can download a booking form from there too.