CMWDT Wellington : Encourager 111

( June 2006 )

First things first -

Prayer needs
	Thank God for the new incoming committee of 2006-7. Pray for them as they seek to lead the branch in the things of God over the coming year.   Thank God for the recent regional camp. Thank God for the enlarging of the ministry of the camp with Wellington branch. Pray that we would not be distracted from the things we took away from camp.   Thank God for Lesley and the OT we sponsor in the Philippines.   Thank God for the marriage of Ruth Jones and Paul Beale. Pray for them as they begin their new life together. ( Click on the picture for a separate, probably larger, version ) Up to the top
Ecumenical conversation on Disabled People : A Church of All and for All.
	THEM  <---------------->  US   Where do I fit in?     If I am one of "them", they are "us".     If I am one of "us", who are "they" ?     Being one of "us" is only half.     I miss "them".     Only when I am one of "them",     Can I be part of the complete "us" ?     I know both "them" and "us".     How do I dare to become one of "them"     in order to become one of "us" ?   ( by Simone Poortman, Delegate from the Netherlands, WCC Conference, Brazil 2006 ) Up to the top
Find the Men and Women of Faith
	A M M C R L G H T Z G T D A O A B R A H A M X A G T T M L A E S P R W T N T H U E H N L E M A S L H K Y A P O L T A E S N E R H L U A P E N F G M W N T L U H Y R N J E E E H O Z Y D F R A L Y S S O M T U D D L A E O T T J I B K U I I H M Q H H L T O E M M A R E O E B A A C D A E L I G B R B A H A R R U T H G K Y O D A J C K J O S E P Look for : Abraham Peter Ruth Luke Matthew Lydia Timothy Jacob Anna Esther Rahab John Noah Mark Mary Gilead Luke Sarah The names are all in straight lines, in any direction - up, down, left, right, or diagonal. ( DON'T look at the answer until you've finished ! )
News from earth :
Chairman's Report John Hawkins Thank you for coming and being a part of CFFD. We, the committee, trust we have done right by the membership. God is moving in and through the branch, it is so good to see special friendships developing with people loving and supporting one another. Praise the Lord! I give thanks for all the committee does to keep things happening in the branch. Thank you All. Praise the Lord for the finances that have been given to the branch this year. It has been so wonderful how we have been blessed financially. Our thanks to Lyn for her work behind the scene preparing applications for the various grants we have received. You guys have been great in your support of the Philippines branch, especially Lesley and Grace who we support directly. Real live music - WOW ! - after all these years ! Years ago we struggled to get musicians so we got a CD player; Mike just got on with it. But now with more singers and live music, we are very blessed. Thank you !
THE APRIL MEETING
	Our April meeting, in the Lifepoint Church central Wellington, bounced into action when Matthew Pack juggled four bright coloured balls during his talk about a man called Mr Up. The balls represented increasing debt Mr Up had gathered from buying more and more exciting things; a car with a satisfying roar as it pulled away from an intersection, TV show designer clothes, and much more. Juggling all those debts became impossible. Reaching financial crisis, the balls all went flying. An advisor recommended Mr Up hand his problems over to Jesus. Jesus gave him different values, perhaps not so flashy, but much more satisfying. They were easier to juggle too. Everyone enjoyed Matthew's talk, and some of us practised juggling with varying success later on at lunchtime. At each meeting we join in singing favourite choruses led by Ron and Sharon Blackwood. This time Sandra Murray helped lead the singing too. In the afternoon Michael Stewart from Tawa Baptist told us about his mission visit to Northern India. He was there for six months. The poverty shocked him; rubbish was lying in drifts along the streets. There is no help for disabled people in India - people were crawling along the street to get around. The love and empathy Michael has for the Indian people was obvious in his talk. We need to continue to pray for India, and see the changes only God can bring in peoples' lives. Shirley
REGIONAL CAMP 2006
	The CFFD camp for the Wellington Region was held over the weekend of 10th to 12th March 2006. Once again, we were very fortunate with clear, warm and dry weather. The Wellington branch committee decided to once more book the majority of the Elm Court complex as accommodation and base for camp activities. This allowed us the flexibility to cater for the largest number of campers for many years. Our numbers swelled to 85 campers, with 10 day visitors on the Saturday. The committee notes with appreciation the helpfulness of the El Rancho staff. The theme for camp was "Well Done Good and Faithful Servant" from Matthew 25:21. The speaker Peter Whaanga shared what was on his heart in a straight talking and encouraging way. His messages were well received, especially his belief that God wanted us to share together in a time of communion during each of the three meetings. Peter's sense of humour and readiness to 'be a part of all things camp' was much appreciated by everyone present. Activities around camp were enjoyed in the sunshine. These included a morning activity-based programme (once again created by Janet) exploring the theme of camp with different challenges for teams to work on. The results, in such a short time, especially for the presentations, are a measure of the abilities and enthusiasm of the campers. The afternoon outdoor activities included horse riding and go-karts, which were very popular. (It is noted that the boats were unavailable for our campers' use this year, due to maintenance issues.) The generosity of Trust funds, namely the Anne Sinclair Trust, TG McCarthy Trust and C.O.G.S. enabled the fees for campers and carers to be kept at a very low level. These funds meant that some campers who would not have been able to come through lack of funds, or lack of carers, were able to come, and we acknowledge the difference that these funds make to the success of the camp, and the encouragement they are to campers and carers. Thank you. Part of the credit for the success of the camp must also go to the Secretary of our branch - Lyn. Throughout the year prior to camp Lyn is busy seeking funding, and then, closer to camp, advertising far and wide, not only for campers, but also for carers. We acknowledge this vital contribution and say a big thank you. Acknowledgement must also go to everyone who encouraged others to come to camp. It is great that there are so many stories and comments about the effect that this camp has on a wide group of people. Regional camp has been blessed, and is a blessing, as God presences himself among His people. Mike and Janet Meehan, 20 May 2006 ( Click on the pictures for separate, probably larger, versions )

SEND YOUR NEWS ! - or your ideas - or your notices - or anything you'd like to tell us !