http://ferndalechurches.org.uk/news/ en john.dray@sightgroup.com Copyright 2010 2010-03-02T20:51:01+00:00 http://ferndalechurches.org.uk/news/story/krypton_king/ http://ferndalechurches.org.uk/news/story/krypton_king/#When:20:51:01Z Former tutee of Stephen and speaker at Ferndale, Malcolm McKinnon was in the Krypton Factor semi-final today.Proving that a steady rather than spectacular performance can ‘bring home the bacon’, Malcolm qualified for next week’s final with a late run on the question round. Go for it Malcolm! Show what old grey heads can do! 2010-03-02T20:51:01+00:00 http://ferndalechurches.org.uk/news/story/happy_birthday/ http://ferndalechurches.org.uk/news/story/happy_birthday/#When:10:09:01Z Stephen was delighted to be invited to share the 100th Anniversary celebrations of the Sacred Heart congregation on 18th February.A large, ecumenical congregation, including civil dignitaries and the town’s two MP’s, gathered to support Fr. Tom Saunders and his congregation where a Pontifical Mass was celebrated by Bishop Thomas of Brentwood. Stephen commented, ‘Fr. Tom has proved a warm-hearted, spiritual man whom I was pleased to honour on this occasion.’ 2010-02-19T10:09:01+00:00 http://ferndalechurches.org.uk/news/story/getting_out_and_about/ http://ferndalechurches.org.uk/news/story/getting_out_and_about/#When:10:14:58Z Stephen continues to be involved in a wider ministry.In March he has been asked to attend and speak at a conference of European mission leaders in Peniscola in Spain. Then in April he will be attending a consultation of Evangelical and Orthodox leaders in Oxford: at the former home of Dr. Spooner, of Sponnerisms (depicted in the picture). Ferndale Baptist Church are delighted that the impact of the ministry of the Church extends, through such activities, far and wide. 2010-02-17T10:14:58+00:00 http://ferndalechurches.org.uk/news/story/jim_packer_returns/ http://ferndalechurches.org.uk/news/story/jim_packer_returns/#When:10:12:25Z Ferndale are delighted to announce the return of Rev Prof Jim Packer from Vancouver.Jim, who has a soft spot for Ferndale and its minister will be preaching on the morning of 25th April before going to Doncaster to lead a training day for the UCCF North East Region workers where Ferndale Associate Peter Drasy leads the team. We are grateful for Prof Packer’s ongoing support and encouragement and look forward warmly to his visit. 2010-02-15T10:12:25+00:00 http://ferndalechurches.org.uk/news/story/a_welcome_word_of_thanks/ http://ferndalechurches.org.uk/news/story/a_welcome_word_of_thanks/#When:10:11:50Z Dr. Douglas Earl, of Durham University, has recently published a scholarly tome entitled ‘Reading Joshua as Christian Scripture’.Tucked away in the small print are thanks to Stephen for being ‘instrumental in preparing my thinking for this project’. Thank you, Douglas! 2010-02-13T10:11:50+00:00 http://ferndalechurches.org.uk/news/story/the_scandal_of_faithworkers/ http://ferndalechurches.org.uk/news/story/the_scandal_of_faithworkers/#When:10:06:14Z Stephen recently had the opportunity to attend the Annual Conference of the Faithworkers branch of the UNITE (formerly Unison) Trade Union at Esher House.Some might be surprised that Church workers, ministers and others need a Union. However, the two campaigns in which the Branch are currently involved reveal how necessary they are. Firstly, ministers of religion and other Christian workers do not, in law, have any employment or workers rights. Secondly, bullying by senior ‘clergy’ of junior personnel appears endemic in all denominations and often Christian workers are isolated, under attack and unsupported. Stephen’s reflections on the Conference were, ‘I found the Conference inspirational, salutary and reassuring: * inspirational on account of the evident vision of the Executive and the obvious impact the Branch is having in changing attitudes; * salutary in discovering how many have shared a common road of abuse at the hands of both congregation and senior clergy; * reassuring that there is a raft of skills, knowledge and expertise ‘out there’ to help those who can feel isolated and helpless.’ 2010-02-11T10:06:14+00:00 http://ferndalechurches.org.uk/news/story/what_a_beautiful_girl/ http://ferndalechurches.org.uk/news/story/what_a_beautiful_girl/#When:10:03:33Z Stephen and Anne were able to visit Rudi and Doreen Drews on the 6th and 7th of February… and meet baby Lia Noreen for the first time. It was lovely to share fellowship together, to share in ministry on the Sunday (when Stephen preached in Wesel Baptist Church and Rudi translated) but… the highlight was, of course, Lia! 2010-02-08T10:03:33+00:00 http://ferndalechurches.org.uk/news/story/susan_lodge_in_tirana/ http://ferndalechurches.org.uk/news/story/susan_lodge_in_tirana/#When:10:01:19Z After a period of illness, Susan, our BMS Link Missionary, has been able to return to Albania.This is great news and our prayers go with Susan as she settled back into her life in the church and school in Tirana where she works 2010-02-07T10:01:19+00:00 http://ferndalechurches.org.uk/news/story/cafethesquare/ http://ferndalechurches.org.uk/news/story/cafethesquare/#When:09:56:15Z Happily, the Church’s outreach into Cluny Square, café@thesquare is now established under the manager ship of Rose The shop is proving popular and the official opening will take place on Easter Saturday at 11pm; hopefully attended by the ‘great and good’. Recent visits from Go East and the Council have highly commended the work and consultations are already in place to see further renewal projects develop in the Square. Why not pay us a visit. The café is currently open from 9am to 2.30pm, Monday to Friday. 2010-02-04T09:56:15+00:00 http://ferndalechurches.org.uk/news/story/news_from_poland/ http://ferndalechurches.org.uk/news/story/news_from_poland/#When:09:52:47Z The Christmas season brought news of our friends in PolandNews has reached the Church at Ferndale that Krzyzstof and Cassia Osiecki have commenced their work in north west Poland, that Chris is now the chair of the Warsaw Baptist Seminary, that the new minister is settling into Sopot and Pawel has designed a first year programme for new student at the Seminary in which he may well play a part. Szymon and his family have moved to eastern Poland where they are happily settled into a new pastorate. Stephen hopes to make a visit to Poland soon to visit our friends there. 2010-02-01T09:52:47+00:00