Key Diary Dates
The Gathering . . .
. . . is a meeting of Christians from the different Shepton Churches at the Salvation Army Citadel. We meet to help build a prayerful community and to respond to the needs of our town. We're also part of the 24/7 Prayer initiiative and Shepton Mallet Prayer Room. The next gathering dates are: Sunday March 7th from 18.00, Saturday April 3rd from 19.00 - social and worship following the 24 hours of prayer, Sunday May 2nd from 18.00, Sunday June 6th from 18.00, and Sunday July 4th from 18.00 [read more about The Gathering]
Men's Breakfast
Saturday 6th March at The Shrubbery, Shepton Mallet. 8.15 for 8.30 start. The speaker this month is Richard Munro from MAF. For more information contact James Kendall on 01749 347683 [read more about Men's Breakfast]
Charity Coffee Morning
At the Baptist Church on 6th March from 10.30 until 12.30
Singles Lunch
7th March at 12.45 in Peter Street Rooms
Cream Tea Concert by the China Tour Quintet, Wells Cathedral School
Sunday March 21st at 15.00 in the Parish church. A free concert with retiring collection for Church funds. Programme to include Schubert, Kodaly, Bach, Wieniawski, Halvorsen. Just turn up for wonderful music and a cream tea - we'd love to see you! [read more about concerts]
Fairtrade Fortnight
22nd February to 7th March
Revd Dave Parr
Dave's licencing will be on 9th March in Melksham [see Dave's leaving present and cake photos!]
Lent Course
This year's course is entitled Love For The Future and commences on Tuesday 23rd February at 7.30 pm in Peter Street Rooms. There will also be a Wednesday afternoon course.
Prayer for This Week
Heavenly Father - Please hear our prayers as we come to You and offer our support for the people of Haiti . . .
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Reachout
Gareth Key writes . . .
This passage of scripture was given to me immediately following my visit to Spring Harvest a few years ago. Also, the word 'Outreach' was prominent in my thoughts, but God changed this to Reachout and seemed to say that love is what people need most - His love, through the acts of Jesus (1 Cor 13:8 - "Love never fails").
Many years ago at about that time our Church was just about to enter into a time of Mission called Shepton Mallet in Love and Evangelism (SMILE) and I felt that God was saying that we are to follow Jesus and go to the needy, not wait for them to come to us. Therefore, what better way to follow up the Mission than to take the Church to the people. This was initiated by using venues outside of the church but using the resources of the Church to witness in these places. We used a 'softly, softly' approach in gentle and user-friendly evangelism involving: music, drama, user-friendly terms, visual aids and Fellowship. These gatherings were aimed at families who would not normally attend a church and felt threatened by the grandeur of such a building.
The music group Reachout also leads worship at a once monthly 'Spirit led' service which attracts people from all around the area. Open air evangelism has also been on the agenda by playing in the Market Square during the August Bank Holiday Street Fayre.
The group consists of Lis Treby (flute/vocals/occasional percussion), Gareth Key (synthesiser/vocals), Tim Coppen (drums), Jasmine Bennett ('cello) and Tansy Bennett (violin/vocals).
emailme@peterpaul.co.uk
