Disciple

The Newsletter of

MCC Manchester

Sunday 24th 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 third Sunday of Lent.  We reflect on the woman who anointed Jesus with her tears and who was criticised by the others present.  Christina Aguileraâ€â„¢s song Beautiful helps us realise what a beautiful thing she did and leave us with Jesus words â€Å“wherever the Gospel is preached it will be done in memory of herâ€Â ringing in our ears â€â€œ even we donâ€â„¢t know this womanâ€â„¢s name.    

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.    

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 â€â€œ itâ€â„¢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 at 8pm.  Please sign up if you intend to come along. 

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 our offices 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.  We 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, we asked for leave too for this family - this has now been granted - all of them have indefinite leave now !!

Nadifa, a Somali woman, and her young daughter lost their
asylum claim as the Home Office and the courts refused to believe she was a national of Somalia.  We instructed an expert to write a report supporting their case.  She was also diagnosed HIV positive and became pregnant with a second child - we made representations to the Home Office on the basis that it would be inhuman to remove a woman who is HIV positive and pregnant.  The courts accepted our arguments and now they have now been granted indefinite leave too!