Julie Mansfield, Secretary of Churches Together in Suffolk, writes:

I am gathering quite a build up of extremely good things which I think may be of interest to you all.  Please do keep an eye on our website www.ctsuffolk.org.uk and pass stuff on to me ( though please note that I am away all next week.)

1. Youth Clubs

Here is an important consultation document about the divestment of SCC Youth Services: click for document . On page 5 is the list of affected youth clubs and you will then find lots of info about what to do if you are at all interested in running a club in your area.

Please note that the deadline for contacting SCC is 31 March 2011.

2. Grow Zones

Here is a link to a self-explanatory Churches Together England article about community gardening: the benefits of it and how to get started

http://www.cte.org.uk/Publisher/Article.aspx?ID=243540

3. Churches Together Logo for noticeboards

Roger Pullan of CT Sudbury has kindly contacted me with this extremely good idea to help make our Christian unity more visible.  He writes,

“We envisage an oval or round plate about 6″x6″  with the CT logo and simple wording like ‘We belong to Churches Together’ or ‘We are in Churches Together’ – exact words (& size) to be discussed.”

Cost:

For a laminated vinyl plate, self adhesive for fixing to a notice board:

£5 each + VAT = £6

For same, mounted on aluminium (more suitable if e.g. it’s to be screw-mounted on the post    below the noticeboard, or on a wall):

£18.60each + VAT =£22.40.

These prices assume an order of at least 10 plates of either kind.

If churches throughout the county were willing to adopt this it would be great.

I’ve seen this on church n-boards in Witney (Oxon).

** Please speak to your member churches and contact me (Julie) if you are interested.

4. Visit of Fairtrade Cotton Farmer from Bali

Wednesday 9 March, 7.30pm  Just Traid Centre, St John’s St, Bury St Edmunds

A unique opportunity to hear first hand about life as a Fairtrade cotton
producer in Mali and to discuss Fairtrade issues.

Massatoma Mounkoro,from southern Mali, will talk about his work as manager of MOBIOM’s Centre of Competence (Malian Organic Movement), where he ensures that Fairtrade standards are met, trains staff to meet these standards and monitors projects funded by the Fairtrade premium.

Massatoma’s visit has been arranged by the Fairtrade Foundation and a member of their staff will also share in the evening.

It is hoped that there will also be a short fashion show as part of the event with models from King Edward VI Upper School.

Fairtrade refreshments available from 7.00 p.m

5. Book Review

Would anyone like to recommend (or criticise) a book s/he has read recently?

I will start us off, though I have such a long list it’s difficult to know which to choose.

How about this:

The Drama of Mark:  Morna D. Hooker & John Vincent  ISBN 978-0-7162-0644-4

Now, it’s unlikely that any of you will have heard of John Vincent.  He is described on the back of the book as a ‘contemporary prophet’ and he runs the Urban Theology Unit and Burngreave Ashram in Sheffield.  Morna Hooker is Professor Emerita of Divinty at Cambridge University and is known for her down to earth and radical approach to the New Testament.  This is only a tiny book at 69 pages but, in my opinion, well worth a read because it challenges me about my discipleship.

If you’re at all interested i’d love to know what you think.

6. Creative Wedding Workshop

10am – 1pm, 27 February at the Holiday Inn, London Rd, Ipswich

for weddings on a budget but with flair.

See flyer.

7. Mothering Sunday Resources

I know there are heaps of materials available for Lent and Mothering Sunday but i thought you may not have seen these.  www.womenofaction.co.uk

8. Transition News

Does the term ‘Transition Town’ mean anything to you?  If not, please have a quick look at this website which explains all about the transition which all communities and not just towns, will have to make as oil runs out.  www.transitionnetwork.org

For those interested in taking part in some ‘transition training’ to help their community become greener and more aware of the issues, see poster

9. MP Accountability Network

Have you ever contacted or met your MP?  Would you like to?  Churches Together Suffolk is considering setting up MP Accountability Groups to meet with our MPs and offer a Christian perspective.  An MP Accountability Network exists through Church Action on Poverty who offer assistance and guidance on how to engage with your MP in a mutually beneficial way.

www.church-poverty.org.uk/mpan

Please contact me if you would like to be involved.

10. Prison Fellowship

Or perhaps this sounds more like your type of thing?  Please have a look at this website if you’d like to know more: http://www.prisonfellowship.org.uk/volunteering-faq.html

There are all sorts of ways to get involved.  In particular, if you live anywhere near Hollesley Bay, the prisoners there would appreciate visitors to their Sunday morning services.

love,   Julie