Disciple

The Newsletter of

MCC Manchester

Sunday 17th February 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 second Sunday of Lent.  We reflect on Jesus’ relationships with the Pharisees who felt he was a dangerous sinner who led the people astray.  Robbie Williams’ song Sin, Sin, Sin helped us in our reflection. 

Introduction to Sexuality Studies.  This MCC sponsored course will be taught in Manchester from Sunday 9^th – 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 – go to the yellow bar on the right and then go to the sexuality page.  You can download a booking form from there too.    

Meal out Tonight.  We are of to the Pesta restaurant at the Trafford Centre for a meal after worship.  If you wish to come please let Ian or Margaret know. 

Come and Sing.  On Saturday 1^st March (11-4) we have an extended choir practice where we will learn some of the songs we will be singing over Holy Week and Easter, as well as some new material.  Please let Philip or Neil know if you want to come – it’s not just for the choir, but for anyone else who wants to come and sing!

Membership Class.  On Saturday 8^th March (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. 

The Bible, Sexuality and Gender.  We are having an evening discussion the Bible and how it interacts with our lives in these areas on Tuesday 26^th February.  Please sign up if you intend to come along. 

Thanks.  Thank you for your generosity last week.    36 people worshipped with us and the collection was £115.00.  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.  Lizzie is a Zimbabwean national.  She left Zimbabwe because of the problems she had in home country, because of her support towards the Movement for Democratic Change.  Having fled from Zimbabwe, on her arrival to the UK as a visitor she remained with family and friends without making a claim for asylum; She feared that the authorities would do the same to her here as they did in Zimbabwe.  Sadly Lizzie’s close family member committed suicide because of her asylum claim failing.  This made Lizzie even more scared about claiming asylum.   Lizzie was taken seriously ill and was hospitalised for 4 months.  During this time, Lizzie was told about GMIAU through the hospital social worker.   Lizzie turned up at GMIAU offices early morning whilst she was an inpatient at North Manchester General hospital.   The unit took on her case, and after listening to the reasons why she left Zimbabwe and why she couldn’t return; she decided to make a claim for asylum/human rights.  Due to her health, despite no funding from the Legal Services Commission the Unit was able to ask a social work student to go along to Liverpool to support Lizzie make her claim for asylum.  Since then Lizzie was interviewed by the Home Office who decided that she should be granted discretionary leave on the basis of her health.  At this point her asylum claim was refused.   The unit advised Lizzie that because the Home Office had refused her claim for asylum she could appeal the Home Offices decision.  An appeal was lodged and an Immigration Judge heard the matter.  The Immigration Judge allowed her appeal against the Home Offices decision to refuse her refugee status.    Lizzie is currently waiting to receive her immigration status documents in which she will be recognised as a refugee.  Sadly Lizzie left behind her daughter in Zimbabwe, and has now asked GMIAU to assist her in helping her daughter join her in the UK under the family reunion rules.  Lizzie has made the following comments:  “ The services were so excellent and you advised me about the options that were available to me ….. even when I was in court everything went smoothly and you kept me informed about what was going on…. When I heard the good news I rang my family in Zimbabwe and they screamed when they heard the news”