http://ferndalechurches.org.uk/news/ en john.dray@sightgroup.com Copyright 2008 2008-07-01T09:00:00+00:00 http://ferndalechurches.org.uk/news/a_willing_wesel/ http://ferndalechurches.org.uk/news/a_willing_wesel/#When:09:00:00Z After the uncertainty about the future of Doreen and Rudi in the past few weeks, we can now announce that they found a place to go. On 15th of June, they have been appointed by a church in Wesel (Germany).  The church has currently around eighty members and they did not have a minister for the past two years (http://www.efg-wesel-lackhausen.de). Rudi will be mainly responsible for teaching and counselling. The three Bundesliga-teams, which surround Wesel, have been a strong argument for Rudi to go there. 2008-07-01T09:00:00+00:00 http://ferndalechurches.org.uk/news/a_high_degree_of_success/ http://ferndalechurches.org.uk/news/a_high_degree_of_success/#When:12:49:01Z Jon Delves, soon to join the Ferndale as an intern has successfully completed his degree course at Lancaster University. Jon recieved a 2-1 degree, known in cockney rhyming slang as an ‘Attlia’, in Italian and Music. We look forward to hearing his muscial talents in practice soon! 2008-06-27T12:49:01+00:00 http://ferndalechurches.org.uk/news/a_piece_of_the_action/ http://ferndalechurches.org.uk/news/a_piece_of_the_action/#When:21:41:00Z Everyone at Ferndale was delighted to host the BMS Bangladesh Action Team last week.  Vicki, Anna, Kirsty and Hannah came to Southend having spent 6 months in Bangladesh, followed by 7 weeks in Britain working with different churches. The main activity the girls were involved in was the “Hero or Zero?” kids club, which ran at the church from Wednesday 28th to Friday 30th May.  The club had a superhero theme, which the adult helpers embraced enthusiastically.  After some time working on craft projects large and small, everyone went to the F.L.A.S.H. (Ferndale League of Awesome Superheroes!) Training School, where they learnt about a real-life hero – Jesus Christ.  Each day focussed on a different aspect of being a superhero, as the trainee heroes considered whether Jesus was a “Hero” or a “Zero.” The BMS team got stuck in, presenting parts of Jesus’ life to the kids, and helping them to learn key sentences from the story.  They also “willingly” took part in Gareth’s Superhero Superchallenges, which resulted in Vicky catching a custard pie with her face, and Kirsty eating (pretend) dog food! On Sunday, the whole kids’ club team took over Ferndale’s morning service to share the fun with the rest of the church.  There were songs with actions and more excellent drama from the BMS girls, which Gareth tied together in a talk from John 3v16.  Together, they explained that God loved the world enough to send His only Son, the Lord Jesus, to be our hero - we cannot rescue ourselves, but He can. Throughout the week, there were also opportunities to hear from the BMS team about their experiences in Bangladesh.  The team visited Clarence Road Baptist Church, and ‘Café Gold’ at Ferndale.  On Sunday evening, they took Ferndale’s evening service, where they introduced those present to Bangladeshi culture and to the work of BMS World Mission.  They ended with a reminder of that all Christians are called to mission, in their local communities and world-wide. Vicki said, “Thank you for making us feel so welcome here.  Kids club was good fun and it was great to see some of the children at church.  We’ve really enjoyed this week – being custard pied wasn’t too bad!  It’s been great getting to know you all and maybe someday we’ll be back to actually walk down Southend Pier!” Gareth adds, “the visit of the BMS team has been a huge blessing to the church.  They were a big help during the kids club – it seems they can turn their hands to pretty much anything!  And their willingness to take the gospel to the nations should be a real challenge to us.  I hope their visit will inspire others to consider their own part in world mission.” After a busy but fun week, the team left for a few days’ rest in Birmingham followed by three weeks travelling around Wales.  All their new friends at Ferndale wish them well on the final leg of their tour! You can find out lots more about the team at their BMS Action Team page or on their very own blog. 2008-06-03T21:41:00+00:00 http://ferndalechurches.org.uk/news/sweet_double_decker/ http://ferndalechurches.org.uk/news/sweet_double_decker/#When:21:25:01Z The newly aquired BarNBus has had a brand new coat of paint and is looking ready for service! The new paint job Bar’n’bus is a charity that exists to help, support and motivate young people. It’s principal aim is to provide young people with a credible alternative to becoming involved in alcohol, drugs and crime. It also seeks to provide all young people with a sense of purpose through Christian belief. The organisation’s double-decker buses act as mobile youth clubs on wheels. Facilities on board include TVs, videos, computer games, table football, a prayer room and comfortable place to chat. The buses go out on a weekly basis during evenings to various locations throughout southeast Essex. On board are fully trained volunteer teams (including Ferndale’s David Christian), who are equipped to deal with any problems or difficult questions. Their role is to meet, befriend and build a positive relationship with young people. Bar’n’bus also offering services of counselling and mentoring, and are involved in schools work. For more details and more images of the new bus see http://www.barnbus.org.uk/. 2008-06-03T21:25:01+00:00 http://ferndalechurches.org.uk/news/introducting_jon_delves/ http://ferndalechurches.org.uk/news/introducting_jon_delves/#When:15:51:01Z Several weeks ago we excitedly announced the appointment of two new interns! Here is some information about Jon in his own words: I was born in brought up in Hastings in a church-going family. I became a Christian at Spring Harvest at the age of 13. I am currently taking my final exams in my degree in Italian Studies and Music at Lancaster University where I’ve been involved with Christian Union. I spent the 2006-7 academic year living in Italy in a city called Parma. I am really into music of many styles. I play the Tuba, the guitar, the bass guitar and sing a bit too. I like lots of sports, but mainly watching, and I play a bit of golf when I get the chance. Growing up in Hastings, I have a real attachment to the seaside too. I am very much looking forward to coming to be part of Ferndale and meeting you all. 2008-06-01T15:51:01+00:00 http://ferndalechurches.org.uk/news/introducting_sarah_dawkins/ http://ferndalechurches.org.uk/news/introducting_sarah_dawkins/#When:22:32:01Z Several weeks ago we excitedly announced the appointment of two new interns! Here is some further information about one of them…. Sarah Dawkins grew up in Morecambe and then went to University at Preston where she completed a degree in Law with Business Information Systems. Sarah became a Christian through the Christian Union and, after leaving University, has been working alongside of Peter Dray as one of his UCCF Relay Workers. Sarah missed the sea while at Preston as she loves it (as well as Morecambe). She is excited at the prospect of joining us and adds, ‘My favourite things in the whole world (in no particular order!) are: ice cream, tea, God, the Bible, friends, sunny days, Starbucks, Primark and the North of England! I hate banana’s and rainy days. My favourite films are cheesy musicals especially Sound of Music and High School Musical!’ Stephen comments, ‘Oh no! Not another one!’ 2008-05-20T22:32:01+00:00 http://ferndalechurches.org.uk/news/thats_my_baby/ http://ferndalechurches.org.uk/news/thats_my_baby/#When:08:46:00Z Congratulations to Mick and Judith Vanner on the birth of their beautiful new grandaughter, Layla Grace. Layla, seen with her big sister Keira, proud Mum and Dad (Alison and Keith) and Nana Judith, arrived on 23rd April. We pray for God’s blessings on her and on all the family. 2008-05-19T08:46:00+00:00 http://ferndalechurches.org.uk/news/doris_hull/ http://ferndalechurches.org.uk/news/doris_hull/#When:22:39:00Z The funeral of Doris Hull, 90, for many years a faithful worker at Ferndale alongside her husband Roy, took place on Friday 9th May. Led by old friend, Rev. Reg West, the crematorium chapel was, fittingly, full to recall a life well spent in the service of Jesus and in support of her family and friends. A resident of Southend since she was twelve, Doris met and married Roy at Bellevue Baptist. The next sixty nine years were shared with one another, their expanding family, and the Lord Jesus. In 1960 they moved to North Avenue and immediately and wholeheartedly committed themselves to the work of the Church where a number of ministries were fulfilled by them. More latterly Doris’ health failed and Roy supported her unstintingly until, appropriately, he took his place alongside of her at the Priory Home in Prittlewell where he continued (and continues) to bear clear witness to his Christian faith. Not all Christian discipleship is to be undertaken amid raz-ma-taz and spotlight. Most are called to be faithful in their ‘small corner’. Such was Doris… but her reward will be great! 2008-05-13T22:39:00+00:00 http://ferndalechurches.org.uk/news/baptist_assembly_2008/ http://ferndalechurches.org.uk/news/baptist_assembly_2008/#When:22:30:00Z Stephen was able to attend several of the sessions at the Annual Baptist Assembly at Blackpool. He reports: ‘Dr. John Weaver was inducted as President for 2008-9 and emphasised the vital importance for us, as believers, to engage with the world and its needs if we are to be effective in our mission and faithful to our calling to be stewards of the earth. His address was re-enforced by the contribution of Baptist, Nobel prizewinner, Sir John Houghton who stressed the vital importance of our need to face the problem of global warming. ‘I personally found some of the worship touched my heart and was delighted to meet old friends and to witness one former student, Jonathan Boyce, welcomed as an accredited minister. ‘With next year’s Assembly in Bournemouth, I might be tempted to go again!’ 2008-05-13T22:30:00+00:00 http://ferndalechurches.org.uk/news/hms_sickle/ http://ferndalechurches.org.uk/news/hms_sickle/#When:22:27:00Z Standard-bearer, Mick Vanner, and honorary Padre, Stephen, were invited with fellow Essex submariners to the service in Waltham Abbey on 8th May that marked the opening of an exhibition at the Epping Forest Museum that recalled the career and eventual loss with all hands in 1944 of the submarine, HMS Sickle. Descendants of those on board joined with local dignitaries and others to remember and offer thanks for the Sickle. Stephen was privileged to give the sermon. The opportunity to visit a number of local hostelries followed before the happy shipmates wended their way back to Southend!!!  2008-05-13T22:27:00+00:00