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Proost - Inspiring Resources that Fuel Faith

2008-08-28T13:10:00.000-07:00

I've just returned from Greenbelt 2008 where, amongst many other things, I was privileged to attend an artist showcase reception for a company called Proost. Proost is a small independent outlet for the work of a number of creative writers, musicians and film-makers who are producing resources to support the church. The range of resources available include short animated films, video loops, liturgies, music. The creative arm of the company is headed by Jonny Baker, who is at the vanguard of all things creative in the emergent church movement in the UK and Jon Birch, a music writer/producer and multimedia artist amongst many other things. They were involved in the development of the multimedia labyrinth. Whilst both are UK-based, their influence extends as far as the US and Australia.

Proost offer a subscription package for £60 per annum. For this sum, you are given free access to a back catalogue of downloadable resources worth £200 in addition to any new items published each month. From what I have seen, no other company's offer comes close to this. If you are not sure about the subscription, you can easily download individual items from Proost. I have downloaded several items including short animations at the meagre sum of £1.99. If you are involved with organising worship in church or small group settings, take a look at what Proost have to offer.

CREATE Exhibition - Every Tribe and Tongue

2008-07-27T08:54:00.000-07:00

It's nearly time for the 4th annual celebration of arts and crafts hosted by Holy Family Church, Pensby. This year, the CREATE group which meets at Marksway Scout Hut has taken on responsibility for the event. In addition to the usual, wonderful array of work by local artisans, Linda Herbert has been very busy and has managed to secure some funding to enable more workshop activities to take place. The event has been subtitled Every Tribe and Tongue to fit in snugly with Liverpool's Capital of Culture events so it is to be hoped that we will see diversity in all its forms celebrated. There will be the hugely popular WORD evening taking place on Wednesday evening (6th August) so dust off your favourite poetry book, write your own poems or get practising that musical instrument. There may well be a little glass of something to calm those nerves!

Much as it would be nice to think that all of this fabulous midsummer activity is organised by the CREATE! fairies, it actually takes a lot of hard work. If you are able to spare an hour here or there to steward the event and perhaps serve some refreshments, we would be glad of your help. It is a wonderful event to be part of and always brings with it its own rewards. We also need strapping people to set the whole thing up on Monday and help dismantle on Saturday. If you can help in any way, please email the team.

The event takes place from Monday 4th August to Saturday 9th August in the church. We look forward to seeing you, as an artist, as a visitor or even if you fancy coming along to do some art work in the wonderful ambience of our lovely church.

Entry form download PDF
Entry form download Word Document

Poster

CREATE illustration courtesy of www.lumaxart.com, shared through a Creative Commons licence.

Windsails

2008-03-24T04:41:00.000-07:00

During the week prior to Easter, over 400 pupils from the local schools came to spend time in St Michaels Church, Pensby. Wendy Rudd had lent us her exhibition of mobile Windsails, inspired by a visit to Lindisfarne. They are beautiful, and so inspiring. The children made their own windsails in craft groups. In the church they were given time to watch them gently rotating in the air, reflecting quietly on the special atmosphere in church. A number volunteered that they felt God was right by them, even in their hearts. Their comments were quite moving. Here are some photos. To learn more, go to http://freespace.virgin.net/wendyrudd.textiles
then click Gallery, and Windsails. Fascinating!

Easter 2008

2008-03-24T04:02:00.000-07:00

Easter this year was the earliest it has been for many years. It will not occur this early again during the lifetime of anyone living today. This means that we have been experiencing winter weather, with many places covered in snow! However, one of the annual Easter events was able to take place. After Morning Services people from several churches gathered at Thingwall Methodist Church forecourt for the Good Friday Walk of Witnesss. We progressed to Thingwall shops, then to Whaley Lane corner, Church of the Holy Family, Emmanuel Church, and finished at St Michaels with lunch for us all.

The clouds cleared and the sun shone down on us, as if God was saying "Bless you." At each stopping place Scripture readings were given, drama sketches read out, and Easter songs were sung. Here are a few photos taken of the event. If you like them, join us next time; but you will have to wait a year!

(David Williams)

Alpha

2007-08-18T09:14:00.000-07:00

What's the news on the Autumn Alpha course?

Isn't God good?

2007-08-14T02:58:00.000-07:00

Here's a little vid to warm the cockles of your heart... Bet you didn't know that Ricky Gervais had such depth...

Courtesy of Godtube.com

Recycling the rubbish

2007-08-05T00:47:00.000-07:00

I was just listening to the morning service on the radio, a young man was talking about his being baptised in a prison chapel, they had a water filled bin at the back of the chapel and he was baptised in it , what a great idea! I wonder was it the little black bin, or more likely the large ones we now have in a rainbow( almost) of colours on our drives.God the first and greatest recycler of rubbish, taking the discarded, seemingly useless, empty people we are and making us useful, worthwhile, part of something completely new.

CREATION 2007 at Holy Family, 6th - 11th August

2007-08-04T01:49:00.000-07:00

You are cordially invited to exhibit the fruits of your creativity at CREATION 2007 which wil be taking place at Holy Family Church between Monday 6th and Saturday 11th August. CREATION is a celebration of the God-given creative gifts of our neighbourhood. This will be the third year that we have held the event and it has proven to be a real eye-opener in terms of the gifts and talents that our people have. Naturally there are some very accomplished artists who exhibit but it is also great to see the work of novices; this encourages others to have a try. We have been blessed with exhibits from artists in other church communities in past years and hope that this year would be no exception. The range of talents we have seen includes watercolour, acrylic, gouache, pencil, ink, pastel, marquetry, woodcarving, floral arrangement, needlecrafts, and barge art; we are always looking to extend the range of creativity.

If you cannot be persuaded to share your gifts with us, you can support us by popping in to view the exhibits and buy a cup of Fairtrade tea or coffee (all proceeds to our partnership project in Peru) – you’ll find no better in Pensby! We would love to see you.

NB There are some changes to the previously advertised opening times. Revised times are as follows:

Monday: 2:00-5:30pm

Tuesday: 10:00-6:30pm

Wednesday: 10:00-5:30pm

Thursday: 10:00-6:30pm

Friday: 10:00-5:30pm

Saturday: 10:00-11:30pm

Click on the links below to read the reports on our previous CREATION events:

CREATION 2005

CREATION 2006

Church...

2007-08-02T05:09:00.000-07:00

Ain't it just...

Courtesy of Jon Birch at asbojesus.wordpress.com

Setting up a charity for families..

2007-07-29T04:17:00.000-07:00

Hi

Myself and Mike and Karen Collins from St Michael's Pensby are creating a charitable company, the aim is to provide various 'family strengthening' activities at the new hall at Pensby St Michael's, when it is built. There were two more people but they dropped out due to other demands on them.

We intend to apply for grants, we have already applied for a £1000 to run a consultation 'funday', to see what people want in their community to help family relationships.

It was sparked by God , there is misery in our communities caused by the breakdown of loving relationships in families.No, I do think divorce is right sometimes but like the Bible predicts it brings great suffering particularly if children are involved.

The charity will focus on providing things like a cafe for dads and mum's who are separated to 'exchange' their children in a Christ driven atmosphere of loving acceptance, better than Sainsbury's car park(we have asked the dads this is what they need)! We hope to do the Alpha Marriage Course that aims to breathe new Holy Spirit life into marital relationships. We want to do 'messy church' for kids and carers. We might provide a 'third person' to help couples write up agreements they make about holidays and presents. There is no limit because God is the Boss and he want this doing.

We would welcome other people on the board of management.We would like the fathers out there, those still together with their wives or separated to pray about how you can help men and children. ACTUALLY PLEASE ALL OF YOU PRAY FOR US-that went without saying .Men need other men, they are notoriously difficult to engage to anything 'organised' for their support. Will you men come (with your children would be great)one Saturday to a 'funday' for separated dad's having contact with their children?

We are not a 'contact centre' , I am a trained social worker but I won't be offering court assessment, this is for the 'lower end ' the dads who don't abuse their wives and families but who have little support in doing this most important of jobs, fathering .

Another thought I was watching a film last night in Hindi with English sub titles, it was a religious theme about a healer and a God who became a man, a beautiful expression was used for the praise the natural world offers God constantly 'when the bells on the feet of the wind begin to sing'.I used to think the Prodigal Son was just me but from God's perspective I suddenly realised ( sorry I am a bit slow sometimes) it was all of us.We spend what he gives recklessly, for our own pleasure, we don't thank him anywhere as often as the wind does and he still rushes to welcome the beggar at door with open arms and glorious gifts and the Angels wonder at such love

If we don't get to those relationships falling apart in agony around us and offer Christian service and the message of Jesus then I can't keep calling us 'Church'..

Love

Jean

Biker Bibles

2007-07-27T04:29:00.000-07:00

This new blog is such a great idea.

Some of us from Merseyside Christian Motorcyclists' Association are going to The Tap in Eastham on Sunday evening (29th July). We have copies of the new Biker Bible to give away to anyone who wants one - they contain the New Testament and a number of testimonies from bikers.

If you know any bikers then send them along - you will recognise us by the white crosses on our backs.

If you want a copy of the bible for any biker friend then do get in touch with me.

Wendy - St Michael & All Angels, Pensby

The Hog Roast

2007-07-26T06:01:00.000-07:00

The Hog Roast was the latest in Pensby/Thingwall/Barnston/Irby 'Churches Together' activities. We all met at Thurstaston, braving everything that the Great British Summer had to throw at us and tucked into 'hog on a bap'. There was a real sense of the Dunkerque spirit in action as we stood, clad in woollies and wellies, sheltering under golf brollies when showers threatened. Pioneer People's 'Bus' did a roaring trade in hot drinks when frostbite was setting in. But it was great to have the opportunity to see old friends again and with those tents, it was just a tiny bit like Glastonbury....well....sort of...