Disciple

The Newsletter of

MCC Manchester

Sunday 27th April 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  looked at Jesus's ascension to heaven at the end of his earthly ministry.  This is traditionally celebrated on Thursday of this week.  If Jesus had not have ascended then the disciples would not have grown in their own confidence, faith and understanding.  The work of Jesus was given to the apostles to do and that work is now given to us.  This work is to spread the good news of God's love, to make disciples of all peoples and to help build God's kingdom on earth.  We do this as we spread the gospel, as we work for justice and as we use our material and spiritual gifts to help God's people grow. 

Thanks.  Thank you for your generosity last week.  38 people attended and the collection was £130.  This is on top of the £1200 or so a month that is given directly to our bank account via standing order.  Our Smartie Tube fundraiser for the Immigration Unit has raised just under £600 so far.  If you have money to donate to this good cause please bring it along soon! 

Sacred Space Service on Tuesday

Our fortnightly Sacred Space service takes place on Tuesday at 8pm in the social room - access via the side door on Anson Road.  There is a common theme to each of the four types of Sacred Space Service: time for quiet reflection, gentle music, prayers led gently, a time to pause, meditate and enjoy God's presence, all providing a form of worship different to what we offer on Sunday afternoons.  We change the format of the service sometimes offering Holy Communion, sometimes sacramental anointing, sometimes a reflection and, like this week, a time of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.  We have a short time for refreshments afterwards too. 

China in the Run-Up to the Olympics

As you know the Chinese government's record on Human Rights is dreadful, particularly with their occupation of Tibet.  Much pressure has been put on them in the run up to the Olympics and they have been embarrassed by the demonstrations around the world which have centred on the Olympic flame.  Steve Gray is asking us to send letters to the Chinese Premier and the Chair of the Olympic association.  Addresses, ideas for the letters, resources and sample letters are all on the MCC Manchester blogsite at http://tinyurl.com/4e3pnr please make time to go to the site and send the letters - they do make a difference. 

Welcoming Rota

Gwen has drawn up a rota for those who have volunteered to welcome each week.  She will give this to you this evening if you haven't had it emailed.  If you are on the list and haven't had an email please see Gwen to make sure you get the list!  The welcome is the single most important thing we do with regard to showing hospitality to visitors, it is commented upon favourably. 

Conference on Sexuality at Manchester Cathedral

Book now for the Bible & Sexuality conference hosted by the Bishop of Manchester's Advisory Group on Sexuality  and Manchester Cathedral. The aim is to draw together people holding all sorts of views and open up informed conversation, hopefully in a spirit of genuine mutual charity.  The speaks are Dr Paula Gooder (Hon Canon Theologian of Birmingham Cathedral), Dr Andrew Goddard (editor of 'Anvil', Anglican Evangelical Theological Journal, and Fellow of the Anglican Communion Institute), and Dr Kate Cooper (Senior Lecturer in the History of Christianity at Manchester University).  Call 0161 833 2220 to book. £10 to cover costs and lunch. 29 April, 10am-3pm.

Social

Our next social event is on Saturday 10^th May and is going to be fun!  We've booked a lovely room at the Police College where we are going to show the old film "The 10 Commandments"and have a buffet meal together as well.  The film is about four hours long so we will break at half time for the food.  The college really are excellent at catering and we hope you enjoy this afternoon and evening - and bring your friends along too!  The cost is £10 but we don't want to exclude anyone on the grounds of cost and so we have a few half price places too.  Please sign up with Elen if you wish to come - we'll collect money on the day.